F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 Lightning II is being developed for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, to replace the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16, F/A-18 Hornet and the UK's Harrier GR.7 and Sea Harrier.

The three variants of the aircraft in development feature a high degree of commonality and are being tailored to meet each service's unique requirements. The variants include: the conventional takeoff and landing aircraft (CTOL) for the U.S. Air Force, a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant for the U.S. Marine Corps and the UK, and a carrier takeoff and landing (CV) aircraft for the U.S. Navy. Current stated requirements from initial customers will result in the manufacturing of more than 3,000 aircraft.

The F-35 will set new standards for assembly precision and pace. Innovative precision machining techniques ensure that the F-35 Lightning II meets its stealth requirement. This accuracy is achieved through digital design and manufacturing controls pioneered by BAE Systems. During full-rate production, assembly time for an F-35 is expected to be less than half that of current-generation fighters.

BAE Systems is responsible for the design and delivery of key areas of the vehicle and weapon systems, in particular the digital Electronic Warfare system, fuel system, crew escape, life support system and the Prognostics Health Management (PHM) integration. BAE Systems also has significant work share in Autonomic Logistics - primarily on the support system side - and is involved in the Integrated Test Force, including the systems flight test and mission systems.

BAE Systems is also responsible for supplying the Vehicle Management Computer, the Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI) modules, the active inceptor system and the EOTS Laser subsystem. BAE Systems has successfully delivered all Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) Engineering Development Units that are supporting Flight Control System Integration testing.

The Electronic Warfare suite remains under weight, on schedule and on cost after 54 months of system design and development. It already has been successfully flight-tested and continues to meet or exceed all performance requirements.

BAE Systems has the most modern fighter production line and the most recent experience utilizing and applying digital design due to its manufacturing experience on Typhoon.