Air Force print news (July 7, 2006): 'Lightning II' moniker given to Joint Strike Fighter.WASHINGTON -- The Air Force chief of staff announced Lightning II as the F-35 name during a Joint Strike Fighter A strike fighter is a fighter aircraft which is also capable of attacking surface targets, including ships. It differs from an attack aircraft in that the aircraft remains a capable fighter. Inauguration Ceremony today at the Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. Aeronautics Co. at Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas, 18th-largest city in the United States[1], and voted one of "America’s Most Livable Communities. . Gen. T. Michael Moseley Teed Michael Moseley, KBE[1], is the current Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He assumed the position during a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base on September 2, 2005. made the final decision after an extensive nomination and review process, coordinated with the other Services and partner nations. In naming the F-35, Moseley said, "Today, the enemies of peace and freedom have been put on notice. They have feared this day because the F-35 provides the coalition warfighter the perfect blend of speed, precision, and stealth. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "In my travels, airmen have given me some great suggestions that we'll see on new Air Force weapons systems in the near future," he said. "The name for the F-35, Lightning II, was a win for aviation heritage and culture." The heritage associated with this name played a significant role in its selection. The original P-38 Lightning was also a strike fighter and had the most air-to-air kills in the Pacific during World War II. Both of America's top two aces--Maj. Richard Bong, 40 kills, and Maj. Thomas McGuire, 38 kills--scored all of their victories in the P-38 Lightning in WWII WWII abbr. World War II WWII World War Two . The Lightning II name also draws parallels with a formidable force of nature. Like lightning, the F-35 Lightning II The F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multi-role aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air-to-air combat. The F-35 is descended from the X-35 of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. will strike with destructive force. The stealth characteristics of the jet will allow the F-35 to strike the enemy with accuracy and unpredictability; when the enemy finally hears the thunder, the F-35 is long gone. The F-35 Lightning II is the next generation strike fighter bringing cutting-edge technologies to the battlespace of the future. The Lightning II's advanced airframe, autonomic logistics, avionics, propulsion systems, stealth, and firepower will make it an affordable, lethal, supportable, and survivable sur·viv·a·ble adj. 1. Capable of surviving: survivable organisms in a hostile environment. 2. That can be survived: a survivable, but very serious, illness. aircraft for warfighters across the globe. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. Air Force and Navy representatives proposed the Lightning II name during the review process. |
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