Appendix B. F-35 key performance parameters.(F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress)(Appendix)

Table B-1 summarizes key performance parameters for the three versions of the F-35.

Table B-1. F-35 Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

                                                           F-35C Navy
                             F-35A          F-35B          carrier-
Source                       Air Force      Marine Corps   suitable
of KPP  KPP                  CTOL version   STOVL version  version

Joint   Radio frequency      Very low       Very low       Very low
        signature            observable     observable     observable

        Combat radius        590 nm         450 nm         600 nm
                             Air Force      Marine Corps   Navy mission
                             mission        mission        profile
                             profile        profile

        Sortie generation    3 surge /      4 surge /      3 surge /
                             2 sustained    3 sustained    2 sustained

        Logistics footprint  < 8 C-17       < 8 C-17       < 46,000
                             equivalent     equivalent     cubic feet,
                             loads          loads          243 short
                             (24 PAA)       (20 PAA)       tons

        Mission reliability  93%            95%            95%

        Interoperability          Meet 100% of critical, top-level
                                 information exchange requirements;
                                        secure voice and data

Marine  STOVL mission        n/a            550 feet       n/a
Corps   performance--short-
        takeoff distance

        STOVL mission        n/a            2 x 1K JDAM,   n/a
        performance--                       2 x AIM-120,
        vertical lift                       with reserve
        bring-back                          fuel

Navy    Maximum approach     n/a            n/a            145 knots
        speed

Source: F-35 program office, October 11, 2007.

Notes:PAA is primary authorized aircraft (per squadron); vertical
lift bring back is the amount of weapons with  which plane can
safely land.

Author Contact Information

Ronald O'Rourke

Specialist in Naval Affairs

rorourke@crs.loc.gov, 7-7610

(1) Fifth-generation aircraft incorporate the most modern technology, and are considered to be generally more capable than earlier-generation (e.g., 4th-generation and below) aircraft. Fifth-generation fighters combine new developments such as thrust vectoring, composite materials, supercruise (the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds without using engine afterburners), stealth technology, advanced radar and sensors, and integrated avionics to greatly improve pilot situational awareness. Currently, only the Air Force F-22 air superiority fighter and the F-35 are considered fifth- generation aircraft. Russia reportedly has a fifth-generation fighter under development.

Strike fighters are dual-role tactical aircraft that are capable of both air-to-ground (strike) and air-to-air (fighter) combat operations.

(2) The program's operational requirements call for 70% to 90% commonality between all three versions. Many of the three versions' high-cost components--including their engines, avionics, and major airframe structural components-are common. Secretary of Defense William Cohen stated in 2000 that the JSF's joint approach "avoids the three parallel development programs for service-unique aircraft that would have otherwise been necessary, saving at least $15 billion." (Letter from Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen to Rep. Jerry Lewis, June 22, 2000. The text of letter made available by Inside the Air Force on June 23, 2000.)

(3) Department of Defense. Selected Acquisition Report (SAR)[for] F-35 (JSF), December 31, 2007, p. 4.

(4) Department of the Air Force Presentation to the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, United States House of Representatives, Subject: Air Force Programs, Combined Statement of: Lieutenant General Daniel J. Darnell, Air Force Deputy Chief Of Staff For Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans And Requirements (AF/A3/5) [and] Lieutenant General Mark D. Shackelford, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition (SAF/AQ) Lieutenant General Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans And Programs (AF/A8) May 20, 2009, p. 10.

(5) For more on the F-22 program, see CRS Report RL31673, Air Force F-22 Fighter Program: Background and Issues for Congress, by Ronald O'Rourke

(6) The term high-low mix refers to a force consisting of a combination of high-cost, high-capability aircraft and lower-cost, more-affordable aircraft. Procuring a high-low mix is a strategy for attempting to balance the goal for having a certain minimum number of very high capability tactical aircraft to take on the most challenging projected missions and the goal of being able to procure tactical aircraft sufficient in total numbers within available resources to perform all projected missions.

(7) Department of the Air Force Presentation to the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, United States House of Representatives, Subject: Air Force Programs, Combined Statement of: Lieutenant General Daniel J. Darnell, Air Force Deputy Chief Of Staff For Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans And Requirements (AF/A3/5) [and] Lieutenant General Mark D. Shackelford, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition (SAF/AQ) Lieutenant General Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans And Programs (AF/A8) May 20, 2009, pp. 7-8.

(8) Statement of Vice Admiral David Architzel, USN, Principal Military Deputy, Research, Development and Acquisition, LTGEN George J. Trautman III, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, [and] RADM Allen G. Myers, USN, Director of Warfare Integration, Before the Seapower and Expeditionary Warfare [sic: Forces] Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee [hearing] on [the] Department of the Navy's Aviation Procurement Program, May 19, 2009, p. 1.

(9) To permit STOVL operations, the F-35B has an engine exhaust nozzle at the rear than can swivel downward, and a mid-fuselage lift fan connected to the engine that blows air downward to help lift the forward part of the plane.

(10) For more on the V-22 program, see CRS Report RL31384, V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft: Background and Issues for Congress, by Ronald O'Rourke.

(11) For more on the F/A-18E/F program, see CRS Report RL30624, Navy F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Aircraft Procurement and Strike Fighter Shortfall: Background and Issues for Congress, by Ronald O'Rourke.

(12) Statement of Vice Admiral David Architzel, USN, Principal Military Deputy, Research, Development and Acquisition, LTGEN George J. Trautman III, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, [and] RADM Allen G. Myers, USN, Director of Warfare Integration, Before the Seapower and Expeditionary Warfare [sic: Forces] Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee [hearing] on [the] Department of the Navy's Aviation Procurement Program, May 19, 2009, pp. 1-2.

(13) Features for carrier suitability include, among other things, strengthened landing gear, a strengthened airframe, and an arresting hook so as to permit catapult launches and arrested-wire landings, as well as folding wing tips for more compact storage aboard ship.

(14) Statement of Vice …