The F-35 was the most eye-catching new fighter jet over the past ten years. With the unmatched R&D capability of the Skunk Works, the American Lockheed Martin Corporation has undertaken the R&D and production of the United States’ fourth-generation fighters. After winning the U.S. Air Force Advanced Tactical Fighter Program (ATF) in the 1990s, Lockheed Martin has developed and produced the F-22. The Lockheed Martin’s X-35 also won the Joint Strike Fighter Program (JSF). After a series of test flights and improvements, the X-35 has entered military service in the name of F-35. Unlike the F-22 air superiority fighter exclusively used by the USAF, the F-35 has a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35A, a variant for large aircraft carriers, the F-35C and a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant for small aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, the F-35B. The F-35 not only serves in the USAF, the US Navy and the Marines, but also becomes the standard fourth-generation fighter of many US allies. Thanks to the large order quantity, its unit cost has dropped dramatically. Developed about 10 years after the F-22 project, the F-35 has used advanced electronic equipment, which makes it play a more important role in the digital warfare. By April 2017, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 200 F-35s to its clients. The Lightning II is now the most produced fourth-generation fighter.
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