F-35 fighter aircraft

Why in the news?

Recently, President Donald Trump has offered India the F-35 fighter aircraft. 

About the fighter aircraft F-35:

• It is a fifth generation fighter aircraft.
• It is capable of performing a variety of roles, such as-
• Air combat, ground attack and reconnaissance missions etc.
• It has been developed by Lockheed Martin Company.
• Major versions of the F-35:
  • F-35A (Conventional Takeoff and Landing - CTOL)
  • F-35B (Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing - STOVL)
  • F-35C (Carrier-Based)

Key features of the F-35:

• Stealth technology:  This aircraft is equipped with stealth technology.
  • This means that it is hardly caught on radar.
  • This helps it to deceive the enemy's defensive systems
• Modern avionics: It has state-of-the-art communication and surveillance systems, which enable the pilot to make better decisions in battle.
• State-of-the-art weapon systems: The F-35 has the ability to load and target a variety of bombs and missiles.
• Connectivity: This aircraft is capable of promoting network-based combat strategies, allowing pilots to share quick information with other aircraft and ground control.

List of user countries: United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and Australia