Lockheed Martin unveils ambitious upgrade plans for F‑35
Lockheed Martin plans to introduce advanced technologies to the F-35 aircraft, offering better stealth capabilities and an unmanned option in the coming years. Here is what Lockheed Martin intends to do and when.
As reported by Defense News, the American defense giant Lockheed Martin is working on implementing modern technologies into the F-35 aircraft. The company plans improvements in stealth, new weaponry, and the possibility of unmanned piloting.
During a conference in New York, Jim Taiclet, the CEO of Lockheed Martin, expressed confidence that the new capabilities of the F-35 could be ready within two to three years. The company wants to introduce technologies initially developed for the NGAD program, which Boeing ultimately won.
Changes that will affect the F-35
Lockheed Martin plans to enhance the F-35's stealth coatings to make it more difficult to detect by radar and infrared systems. In addition, the F-35 is expected to receive new weapons designed for sixth-generation aircraft and more advanced electronic warfare systems.
The new version is expected to provide 80% of the capabilities of the F-47 fighter, but at half the cost. Lockheed Martin aims to leverage systems developed under the NGAD program, which, alongside further digitization and networking of the aircraft, will enable it to operate as a fully autonomous unmanned aircraft.
F-35 Lightning II — successor to the aging F-16
The F-35 is the result of the global Joint Strike Fighter program, involving countries like the USA, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Australia. Initially, the F-35 was designed as a strike aircraft to supplement the F-22 Raptor, but over time it evolved into a multi-role aircraft.
Beyond its stealth construction, a key feature of the F-35 is its advanced sensor suite. It includes 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 for detecting objects in a full 360-degree range, enabling capabilities like firing missiles at targets behind the aircraft.
The F-35 can carry weaponry in internal bays that accommodate six AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles or, for example, two B61-12 bombs or JDAM-ER. Additionally, there is the capability to carry more missiles on underwing pylons, although this compromises its stealth features.
