F‑35 enters mass production: A milestone in global combat aviation
The F-35 aircraft have been in production since 2011, but it wasn't until 2024 that the U.S. Department of Defense announced the commencement of mass production. What exactly does this reveal?
In January 2024, Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 aircraft, celebrated the production of the thousandth unit. Although this signifies that the F-35 has become the most-produced combat aircraft globally, it has been manufactured in limited runs until this point.
Thus, the announcement of the start of mass production (FRP - Full-Rate Production) primarily holds procedural importance. It signifies that the F-35 has undergone extensive testing, reached a significant phase in its development, and seen improvements in its production processes.
It's essential to point out that the initial timeline aimed for the FRP stage by 2020.
Serial production of the F-35 began in 2011, with the first nine units coming off the production line. Since then, output has been on the rise, and the goal of manufacturing 150-160 units annually has already been met. The move to mass production mode won't alter this rate.
Three versions of the F-35 produced
There are three variants of the F-35. The most widely produced is the F-35A, which has also been ordered by Poland. This version features conventional take-off and landing capabilities. The F-35B is tailored for the Marine Corps, providing vertical (or short) take-off and landing and is chosen by nations that, lacking CATOBAR-class aircraft carriers, wish to deploy the F-35 on aviation ship decks without catapults – such as the British Queen Elizabeth-class carriers or the Japanese Izumo-class.
The F-35C is the naval variant, intended for operation from CATOBAR-class aircraft carriers. It comes with larger fuel tanks, marginally bigger wings with folding tips, and a strengthened undercarriage designed to withstand catapult launches and deck landings.
The F-35C is also equipped with a retractable hook under its fuselage, enabling it to catch the arresting gear upon landing and thus reducing the stopping distance.
