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Lockheed Martin X-35 (JSF)

Type
Experimental prototype for new strike fighter (Versuchsmuster für einen neuen Jagdbomber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Lockheed Martin (Tactical Aircraft Systems)
Lockheed Boulevard
Fort Worth, Texas 76108
USA

Phone: 001-817/777-2000
Fax: 001-817/763-4797

Lockheed has enlisted Northrop-Grumman as partner in the development programme. Also, British Aerospace is targeted as a partner. Within Lockheed, the Skunk Works at Palmdale and Aeronautical Systems in Marietta (Georgia) are involved.

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1

Weapons (Bewaffnung): The X-35 JSF has two fuselage weapons bays for the carriage of two 450 kg bombs and two AIM-120 AMRAAMS. Enlarged bays will carry two 900 kg bombs and the AMRAAMs instead. External hardpoints are provided for non-stealthy missions.

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan (SE611 derivative with scaled-up fan and additional low-pressure turbine stage)
Thrust (Schub): 1 x ca. 155 kN maximum. For short take-offs and vertical landings, a clutch is engaged to drive a vertical lift fan via a shaft from the front of the engine, which also carries a "three-bearing" rotating nozzle. The lift fan, developed by Allison, will have 18500 lbs (82 kN) of thrust.

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 15,5 m
Span (Spannweite): 10,0 m (wing fold if necessary to 9,1 m)
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 41,8 sq m or 50,2 sq m for the carrier version

Weights (Massen)
No details available (Keine Angaben erhältlich)

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): around (etwa) Mach 1.5
Radius of action (Reichweite): around 1500 km for US Navy version

Customers (Kunden)
Two demonstrators will be built under Pentagon contract. According to the latest Quadrennial Defence Review, potential customer needs are:

US Air Force: 1763
US Marine Corps: 609 (STOVL)
US Navy: 480 (carrier capable version)
Royal Navy (UK): 60 (STOVL)

Costs (Kosten)
718,8 million US-Dollar contract awarded 16. November 1996 for 51 month concept demonstration phase.
Target unit flyaway costs are 31-38 million US-Dollars for the carrier version, 30-35 million for the STOVL-variant and 28 million for the conventional JSF without additional lift system.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Boeing X-32

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
In November 1996, Boeing and Lockheed Martin were downselected over McDonnell Douglas for the further development of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), which may serve US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps (plus export customers) from the end of the next decade. The aim is to replace a whole spectrum of aircraft like F-16, A-6, F-14, F-18, Sea Harrier with minimal modifications to a basic type to save costs.
Two prototypes will be built, representing both conventional, carrier-capable and STOVL-versions. First flight is expected in March 1999, with the STOVL-variant follwing two months later. Bids for full manufacturing development are planned for 2000, with a single team selected in 2001 to build close to 3000 JSFs for the US forces alone. Exact figures fluctuate and will continue to do so through the various defence reviews. Deliveries to begin in 2007.

Last updated June 9, 1997

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