Lockheed Martin's bold leap: F‑35 eyes stealth, unmanned future
Lockheed Martin plans to introduce advanced technologies to the F-35 aircraft, offering improved stealth capabilities and an unmanned option within the next few years. Here is how and when Lockheed Martin intends to proceed.
As reported by the portal Defense News, American defence giant Lockheed Martin is working on integrating modern technologies into the F-35 aircraft. The company aims to enhance stealth, develop new weaponry, and explore the potential for unmanned piloting.
During a conference in New York, Lockheed Martin's CEO, Jim Taiclet, shared his confidence that the F-35's new capabilities could be ready in two to three years. The company plans to introduce technologies initially developed for the NGAD program, which was ultimately won by Boeing.
Changes affecting the F-35
Lockheed Martin intends to improve the F-35's stealth coatings to make it more challenging to detect, not only by radar but also by infrared systems. Additionally, the F-35 is set to receive new weaponry designed for sixth-generation aircraft and more advanced electronic warfare systems.
The new version is expected to deliver 80% of the capabilities of the F-47 fighter jet, but at half the cost. Lockheed Martin plans to utilise systems developed under the NGAD program, which will include further digitisation and networking of the aircraft, enabling it to operate as a fully autonomous unmanned aircraft.
F-35 Lightning II — the successor to the stalwart F-16
The F-35 is a product of the global Joint Strike Fighter program, involving countries such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Australia. Initially, the F-35 was designed as a strike aircraft to complement the F-22 Raptor; however, it eventually evolved into a multirole aircraft.
Apart from its stealth technology, a key feature of the F-35 is its advanced sensor suite. This includes either the AN/APG-81 or AN/APG-85 radar with an AESA antenna and the AN/AAQ-37 EODAS system, which consists of six infrared sensors. These allow the detection of objects with a full 360-degree range, enabling, for example, the launching of missiles towards targets located behind the aircraft.
The F-35 can carry weaponry in internal bays capable of accommodating six AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air guided missiles or, for example, two B61-12 or JDAM-ER bombs. There is also the option of carrying more missiles on underwing pylons, albeit at the cost of losing stealth features.
