How Are The F-35A, F-35B, And F-35C Lightning Variants Used By US Forces? (2024)

The F-35 Lightning II was developed as a platform to replace multiple US Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy service aircraft (as well in partnership to replace foreign air force aircraft). To this end, it has been built in three distinct variants: the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C. The F-35 has become the most produced and popular fifth-generation fighter jet and has been exported to US allies around the world. While the F-35 is replacing many 4th and 4.5th generation aircraft, it will not replace them all as the US Air Force is still purchasing 4.5th gen F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets.

One jet to rule them all

The Air Force, Marines, and Navy's decision to build a joint-service replacement aircraft has stirred much debate. Some argue that instead of saving money and time, it delayed the program and cost more. Some commentators also say the three variants are so different that they are almost different aircraft altogether (although they do share similar performance characteristics and identical avionics).

Photo:ranchorunner | Shutterstock

Regardless, moving forward, the Air Force and Navy have parted ways on developing the future sixth-generation fighter jet. While both the Air Force and Navy programs are called "NGAD," they are now separate developmental programs (although the Navy's program is typically called F/A-XX to prevent confusion).

The F-35 is designed to be a highly versatile fifth-generation stealth fighter jet able to fulfill a broad range of missions - including air superiority and strike missions along with ISR and EW missions.

F-35A - conventional takeoff and landing

The F-35A is the largest variant of the three, designed for the US Air Force, and is by far the most common variant. It is designed to operate off prepared conventional runways. Most foreign air forces, including Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, and others, are purchasing the F-35 jet.

"The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A gives the U.S. Air Force and its allies the power to dominate the skies – anytime, anywhere. The F-35A is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness." - US Air Force

Photo: USAF

The F-35A is designed to replace F-16s and A-10s, as well as other air force aircraft like the F-15 (although the F-22 Raptor had been the main intended F-15 replacement). However, a combination of factors, like cost and the F-15's high payload, has resulted in the Air Force retaining the F-15 and using it alongside the F-35 and F-22.

F-35B - short takeoff/vertical landing

The F-35B is a naval variant of the F-35 and has the unique ability to take off and land vertically. This makes it the successor of the famous Harrier Jump Jet (although it is much larger and more capable than the Harrier).

The F-35B is able to operate off smaller aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships and is the main variant used by the Marine Corps (who use it on America's Wasp and America-class amphibious assault ships). These ships need to be modified to operate the F-35B. So far, modifications have been completed on the USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS Essex (LHD-2), USS America (LHA-6), USS Makin Island (LHD-8), and USS Boxer (LHD-4)

Photo:Peter R Foster IDMAI Shutterstock

The F-35B is also popular with foreign navies operating smaller aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships (no nation possesses aircraft carriers as large and capable as the US Nimitz and Ford-class carriers. The F-35B is operated by the Royal Navy (on the Queen Elizabeth class carriers), Italy (Cavour aircraft carrier), and Japan (which is modifying its amphibious assault ships to carry the jet).

F-35C - carrier variant

The F-35C is designed to operate off American aircraft carriers and is only operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps. Initially, the Marines only wanted to acquire F-35Bs, but later, they agreed to purchase F-35Cs as well (currently, the service plans to purchase 67 F-35Cs).

No foreign nation has purchased this variant (although the British considered it for their large Queen Elizabeth-class carriers). It is larger than the F-35B, with a more robust landing gear, larger wings, and a larger internal fuel capacity.

American carriers need to be retrofitted with the appropriate facilities and support infrastructure to operate the F-35C. The Navy is slowly retrofitting its carriers to operate the F-35C as they are rotated for their mid-life upgrades and overhauls—a process that will continue until around 2030.

Photo: Tomás Del Coro l Wikimedia Commons

The carriers so far modified to operate the F-35C include the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS George Washington (CVN-73), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) - although not all these are currently operating F-35C air wings. Ironically, America's newest carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will likely be the last or one of the last carriers to operate the F-35C. Future Ford-class carriers are being built with the ability to operate F-35Cs.