United States: Section 2a - Market Overview Ongoing Programs & Future Requirements

摘要

Current planning calls for the U.S. procurement of 2,443 production F-35s in three variants. The Air Force currently plans to procure conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) 1,763 aircraft. The Navy and Marines plan to procure an even split of 340 short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs and 340 carrier-launched F-35Cs. The Marine Corps is purchasing its F-35Bs for operation from the service's amphibious ships, as well as 80 F-35Cs that will be used on Navy aircraft carriers. The Navy, meanwhile, will operate a fleet of 260 F-35Cs. The program also includes 14 test aircraft purchased using RDT&E funding. All three models have a trapezoidal wing planform and a modified Pratt & Whitney F119 powerplant (called the F135). General Electric was developing a competing engine for the JSF called the F136, but the DoD terminated the program, despite the effort of lawmakers to keep the alternate engine alive.