F-35 VARIANTS

F-35A (CTOL)

CTOL means a conventional take off landing also known as horizontal take off landing. F-35A is the CTOL variant in this family. It is the smallest, lightest version from all variants. Although this aircraft currently conduct aerial refueling via boom and receptacle method, the aircraft can be modified for probe-and-drogue refueling if needed by the customer.

F-35B (STOVL)

This is the short take off and vertical landing variant. Similar in size to A variant but F-35B has no landing hook. The "STOVL/HOOK" control instead engages conversion between normal and vertical flight.

F-35C (CV)

The F-35C is designed for catapult-assisted take off but arrested recovery operations from aircraft carriers. This variant has the largest wings with foldable wingtip sections, large wing and tail control surfaces for improved low speed control, stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier arrested landings, a twin wheel nose gear, and a stronger tailhook for use with carrier arrestor cables.


Theas types three are the main variants in F-35 family but F-35D is a study for a possible upgrade of the F-35A to be field by the 2035 target date f the USAF's future operation concept.

F-35I ; an F-35A with unique Israeli modification

CF-35 ; an Canadian version with F-35A, F-35B, F-35C mix






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