How Many F-35s Does the U.S. Navy Have?
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Navy has been a major customer of the F-35, with plans to operate a large fleet of these aircraft. But how many F-35s does the U.S. Navy actually have?
Initial Orders and Production
The U.S. Navy initially ordered 280 F-35C variants, with the first production contract signed in 2001. The F-35C is the carrier-based variant of the F-35, designed to operate from the Navy’s aircraft carriers. The production contract was split into multiple lots, with the first lot of 32 aircraft delivered in 2011.
Current Inventory
As of 2022, the U.S. Navy has a total of 133 F-35C aircraft in service, with 64 additional aircraft on order. This brings the total number of F-35Cs to 197.
Deployment and Operations
The F-35C is currently deployed on two aircraft carriers, the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The aircraft are operated by the Navy’s Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and CVW 17, respectively.
Comparison to Other Variants
The F-35C is one of three variants of the F-35, with the other two being the F-35A (airbase-based) and F-35B (vertical takeoff and landing). Here is a comparison of the three variants:
| Variant | U.S. Air Force | U.S. Marine Corps | U.S. Navy |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-35A | 228 | – | – |
| F-35B | – | 117 | – |
| F-35C | – | – | 197 |
Future Plans
The U.S. Navy plans to continue increasing its F-35C fleet, with a goal of having 400 aircraft in service by the mid-2030s. The Navy is also exploring the possibility of operating F-35Cs from amphibious assault ships, such as the USS Wasp (LHD-1) and USS America (LHA-6).
Cost and Budget
The F-35C has been criticized for its high cost, with a unit price of around $90 million. The Navy’s F-35C program has faced budget constraints in recent years, with the service seeking to reduce costs through efficiency measures and international cooperation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the U.S. Navy has a total of 133 F-35C aircraft in service, with 64 additional aircraft on order. The F-35C is a critical component of the Navy’s carrier air wing, providing advanced capabilities in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. As the Navy continues to increase its F-35C fleet, it will play an increasingly important role in supporting national security and defense objectives.
Key Statistics
- Total F-35C aircraft in service: 133
- Additional F-35C aircraft on order: 64
- Total F-35C aircraft on order: 197
- F-35C unit price: around $90 million
- Goal for F-35C fleet size: 400 aircraft by mid-2030s
