Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II - Research Paper Example

? F_35 LIGHTNING II ASCI 310 Steven Walden 15th, May, F-35 LIGHTNING II The history of the world is best defined with the events that took place in 20th century. 20th century was a period in which many countries went into war with each other. The first, second and cold war necessitated various countries in the world to heighten their military prowess. Consequently, there was growth and rise of military activities. Furthermore, technological advancements were adopted to ensure countries improved their security apparatus. This level of growth was last witnessed in industrial revolution. Military science was one of the fields that arose because of technological advancements. This involved the use of military scientist to focus on defense strategies. The expertise was aimed at providing military capabilities of various nations involved. Moreover, as threat to international peace and stability continues to take shape, the field of military science continues to rise at the same rate. This necessitated development of fighter aircrafts meant to control and protect the airspace. This field is hoped to reach its epitome in the 21st century. This paper discusses F-35 LIGHTNING II. F-35 LIGHTNING II is a recent generation fighter designed in United States. Several features make it outstanding among other fighter planes. These factors include adoption of recent technological advancements, and low cost. The original intention of developing F-35 was to serve all branches of the America military including air force, navy, and Marine Corps (Military Factory, 2012). Additionally it was also meant to serve the Britain military. F-35 is being developed, and has three airframes each with a particular purpose, but the three mainframes depend on one engine type. This is a recent advancement of its kind rivaling all other models. It is believed to offer a precise ground strike on its completion and entrance on market in 2016. F-35 will offer guided ammunition and bombs, high level of space command, and efficiency in elimination of any threat posed on air (Military Factory, 2012). F-35 has high capabilities of multitasking when directed to a particular target. Moreover, F-35 can be able to analyze situation in a complex battlefield and enable a pilot to have sufficient time to act. This information is also transferred to other allied forces in efficient manner. The cost of maintaining stealth is also low. F-35 is also able to encounter any threat from a very long distance such as a weapon and oncoming plane. F-35 was based on the idea of the US Joint Strike fighter program. The selection of Lockheed was based on lower financial cost that was envisaged in the long term. The lift fan of F-35 was improved significantly and this makes it more competitive than X-32. Cooling system was improved and this reduced chances of hot gases going back to the engine as it thrusts on the air. The lift fan offers enough space for fuel in both X-35A and X-35C models (Military Factory, 2012). Different groups funded the project of F-35. F-35 emanated from three models X-35A, X-35B, and X-35C (Buescher, 2001). The initial text of X-35A took place in 2000 and trials were made on Edward Air Force Base. After these trials, it was later converted into X-35B STOVL model. X-35C served to assist the two earlier models in case a problem arises (Duran, 2007). F-35A was first tested on December 15 2006 in Edward Air Force Base. First flight of X-35B took place in 2001 and hover cycle was achieved. STOVL F-35B test took place later in 2008. Additionally, F-35B achieved its initial flight in early 2009 and was able to refuel on air on August 13, 2009. X-35C went on air for the first time on December 16, 2000 (Buescher, 2001). Testing was done on its capability to land. It recorded improved performance in terms of low-level, low speed approaches that was the target of US navy. Testing was completed on X-35C on March 2001. The identity of F-35C was first disclosed on July 28, 2009. F-35 testing was completed on 23 June 2009 (Jenkins and Landis, 2008). F-35 has Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture systems that will ensure that the pilot is informed of situations in the battlefield from all inclinations. The aircraft is also efficient enough to detect enemy aircraft in the sky and has capabilities of missiles directed to it from enemy. Moreover, any explosion on the ground will trigger a reactive mechanism in F-35 (University of California, 2009). The design has also helped it to land normally with no problem. The pilot vision is also improved both day and night. In addition, Electro-Optical Targeting systems gives the pilot capability to have precise and accurate target (University of California, 2009). This system also enables the pilot to target a range from a long distance with accurate precision. The Electro-Optical Targeting system is on the belly side of the aircraft. The engine nozzle is also improved significantly and this allows aircraft to have efficient anti-radar qualities (University of California, 2009). Therefore, it is not easily to be detected by other aircrafts. Its radar system is also efficient enough in establishing target areas. The pilot will also be able to share information to allies on air and the ground based on modification of F-35. Satellite data link will also be installed to enhance communication from far areas and offer assistance that is web linked. Active Electronically Scanned array (AESA) will also be fitted in Lightning II (Deschamps, 2010). This will help pilot with finer details about particular target site. The radar can also be customized into passive radar receiver. Distributed Infra-Red Systems (DIRS) will allow the pilot to have a 360-degree view of world around in infrared form (Deschamps, 2010). The pilot will be well-informed hence high level of safety and navigation. The component of the F-35 cannot be easily changed. This has led to some easiness in the assembly of this aircraft compared to other aircrafts used today. This enables F-35 to avoid air build up in its inlet system. The helmet used by F-35 is the most advanced of the time. This enables the pilot to launch offensive with the aircraft facing different direction from the target. This makes it outstanding from other types of aircraft that must point to the target areas during combat. In the cockpit, there will be Multi-Function Display System (MFDS) (Jenkins and Landis, 2008). This system will allow high display of information and analysis that will allow the pilot to take an immediate action. F135 turbofan series supports F-35 propulsion. The upgraded F136 is being developed. F135 provides 25, 000 lbf on dry thrust and 42,000 lbf on full thrust (Military Factory, 2012). The engine is located on the central part of the fuselage. F-35 speed stands at Mach 1.67 while it is able to rise to 60,000 feet. Vertical height is achieved by use of Martin-patented Shaft-Driven Lift Fan (SDLF) (Jenkins and Landis, 2008). F-35 is designed on basis of three models (Military Factory, 2012). This aims at cost cutting and range between 80% in all the three frame parts. In terms of upgrade due to technological advancements, F-35 will be easy to modify. This offers guarantee of low cost of operation, maintaining and upgrading. F-35 is projected to last over 20 years (Military Factory, 2012). The first model will offer normal take-off and landing variant. The second model, B, will show a short take off duration and vertical landing (Duran, 2007). Model will employ conventional but navalized form to be used on aircraft carriers. F-35 will remain on air for a distance of 1,200 miles without refueling. The characteristics possessed by F-35 are of tremendous advantages. F-35 will be able to land and take off from any place on earth including base of naval ship, poor airfields, and roads (Duran, 2007). These characteristic lacks in other fighter aircrafts. With F-35, it will be possible to attack the enemy at close range with high level of precision. It will also carry internal bombs and ammunitions. F-35C has unique features. Of most important is ability to operate on low ground, and has capability of folding wings to decrease storage space. The F-35 offers immense benefits as compared to other types of fighters. Firstly, it has distinctive unification of stealth, long range, and high-resolution sensors. Additionally, it has capability to defend itself from enemy fighter planes and highly level of communication strategies employing the use of network. Improved communication enables this fighter plane to complete with its allies and share information about the safe location (Deschamps, 2010). Other types of fourth generation fighter planes lack these unique features. Secondly, its sensory systems have been linked with the data. Information from the sensors is analyzed for the pilot (Deschamps, 2010). This is essential to the pilot as he is able to get a wider view and perception of the target. This is a commendable improvement of these fifth generation fighter. Moreover, F-35 has capability of accomplishing a particular task with few supporting assets. Thirdly, with the recent changes in technological advancements various changes are likely to take place in fighter planes. F-35 has been designed in a position that it will be easy to modify it depending on available technology (Deschamps, 2010). In contrast, 4th generation aircraft lack this most important feature. Fourthly, low observability reduces the aircraft by enemy sensor systems. In such a scenario both, the pilot is able to conduct activities in secure environment. F-35 has capability to land on extreme services and take off quickly on a similar place. This is essential in combat zones that lacks significantly in fourth generation aircrafts. The uniqueness of F-35 is based on upgrades and improved. The most significant is on stealth that has improved communication of allies and between fighter planes significantly. The improvement on security of both the pilot and the plane is also observed. The other major improvements are on landing and takeoff. This will enable F-35 to land on poorly developed areas and be able to take off from the base of a naval ship (Schaefer, 2004). The pilot will be able to operate the aircraft in no light conditions. The pilot will also be able to engage the enemy at a close range with high degree of precision. The incorporation of different models in one fighter plane is good as it allows multitasking of some specific function (Schaefer, 2004). In conclusion, the rise of F-35 will revolutionize the defense strategy adopted by many nations in the world. This is most likely to happen in industrialized nations. It will overtake all the fourth generation fighter aircraft most of which were developed during the reign of cold war. The cost of buying and maintaining F-35 is relatively low and hence more procurement is likely to be made in future. Additionally, the level of technology used in the making of F-35 is nowhere near to be compared with fighter planes used during cold war and military interventions that took place in the 1990’s. The improved technology has led to guarantee of both the fighter and the pilot’s safety. Moreover, F-35 has been designed such that it will be easy to modify depending on available technology. The other most essential thing about F-35 is their capability to refuel only after a long duration in air. In addition, ability to land in extreme condition enables it to be used in extreme combat zones in future. However, effectiveness of F-35 will only be possible to analyze if an opportunity arise for it to be involved such as war. References Buescher, G. (2001). Joint Strike Fighter. Retrieved from http://www.dept.aoe.vt.edu/~mason/Mason_f/JSFBuescher.pdf Deschamps, A. (2010). Meet the F-35 Lightning II– Canada‘s Next Fighter. Canadian Military Journal, 11 (1), P. 1-4. Duran, T. (2007). Barron's Military Flight Aptitude Tests. New York: Barron's Educational Series Jenkins, D, and Landis, T. (2008). Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters. New York: Specialty Press. Military Factory. (2012). Lockheed F-35 Lightning II Advanced Multi-Role V/STOL Fighter /Technology Demonstrator. Retrieved from http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=23 Schaefer, A. (2004). Jet Fighter Planes. New York: Capstone Press. University of California. (2009). 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