Mercedes Mullins
The F-35 is a combat-proven fighter aircraft that enhances global security and strengthens national security. It is produced by Lockheed Martin and is considered the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world. With a speed of Mach 1.6, the F-35 is highly advanced and has an internal fuel capacity of 18,250 lbs, or 2,720 gallons. The F-35 has been criticised for its consumption of jet fuel, which is the largest category of energy consumed by the US government and the Defense Department.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internal fuel capacity | 18,250 lbs or 2,720 gallons |
| Fuel type | Jet fuel |
| Fuel capacity benefit | Over double the F-16's internal fuel |
| Fuel tank | SDLF replaced with a fuel tank and the aft swivel nozzle with a two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzle for the CTOL variant |
| Fuel tank issues | Too vulnerable to lightning strikes |
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What You'll Learn
The F-35 burns 22 gallons of jet fuel per minute
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft used by the US Air Force and its allies. It is the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world, strengthening national security, enhancing global partnerships, and powering economic growth.
The F-35's fuel efficiency is further impacted by its speed. Flying at 680 mph, or 0.9 Mach, the F-35 will burn approximately 1,340 gallons of fuel per hour. At its top speed of Mach 1.6, the F-35 will consume even more fuel. The F-35's fuel consumption has significant implications for its operational costs and the environment.
The F-35's fuel consumption has been a source of criticism, with some arguing that it promotes the expansion of the fossil fuel industry and contributes to climate change. Additionally, the high cost of the F-35 program, estimated at $1.4 trillion, has been criticized for diverting funds away from other areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
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The F-35 has a fuel capacity of 2,720 gallons
The F-35 is a fighter aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin. It is the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world, and it gives pilots an advantage over adversaries. The F-35 has a fuel capacity of 2,720 gallons.
The F-35 has an impressive combat radius, owing to its substantial fuel capacity. This allows it to undertake efficient mission flight profiles. The aircraft's fuel capacity contributes to its stealth capabilities, also known as "low observability." The internal fuel storage maintains the F-35's stealth and aerodynamics, while also reducing the aircraft's radar signature.
The F-35's fuel capacity is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the F-16. The F-35 holds over double the amount of internal fuel as the F-16, enhancing its performance and range.
The F-35's fuel capacity of 2,720 gallons translates to a best-case mileage of 0.51 miles per gallon when flying in a straight and level flight path at a modest speed without the use of afterburners or combat training maneuvers. However, actual training flights that include supersonic flight, afterburner usage, high-G forces, takeoffs and landings, and combat maneuvers will result in higher fuel consumption.
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The F-35's fuel contributes to its stealth capabilities
The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that provides next-generation stealth capabilities. The F-35's fuel contributes to its stealth capabilities in several ways.
Firstly, the F-35's internal fuel capacity allows it to carry a significant amount of fuel without the need for external fuel tanks. This contributes to its stealth as external fuel tanks can increase the aircraft's radar cross-section, making it easier to detect. By having a large internal fuel capacity, the F-35 maintains a lower radar signature, which helps it evade enemy detection.
Secondly, the F-35's engine, the Pratt & Whitney F135, is designed with stealth in mind. The engine features a low-observable augmenter or afterburner that incorporates fuel injectors into thick curved vanes. These vanes are covered by ceramic radar-absorbent materials, which help to mask the turbine and reduce the radar signature of the engine. This design ensures that the engine does not produce a strong radar return, further enhancing the aircraft's stealth capabilities.
Additionally, the F-35's overall configuration, including its wing-tail design and short wingspan, also contribute to its stealth. The short wingspan, for example, helps the aircraft fit inside USN amphibious assault ship parking areas and elevators. This design consideration not only makes the F-35 more compatible with naval operations but also potentially lowers its radar cross-section compared to aircraft with longer wingspans.
Furthermore, the F-35's fuel efficiency plays a role in its stealth capabilities. The F-35C variant, for instance, has a larger wing that is more fuel-efficient than the F-35A and F-35B variants. Greater fuel efficiency translates to improved range and endurance, which are critical factors in stealth operations. By optimising fuel efficiency, the F-35 can cover longer distances and remain in operation for extended periods without the need for frequent refuelling, thereby enhancing its ability to operate covertly.
Overall, the F-35's fuel characteristics, including its internal fuel capacity, engine design, configuration, and fuel efficiency, all contribute to and support its stealth capabilities. These factors enable the F-35 to maintain a low radar signature, evade detection, and perform its missions with increased stealth and efficiency.
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The F-35's fuel tanks were vulnerable to lightning strikes
The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet that emphasizes low observability, advanced avionics, and sensor fusion, enabling a high level of situational awareness and long-range lethality. The F-35 has a combat radius of around 670 nautical miles (1,241 kilometers) for the land-based F-35A variant, with the carrier-based F-35C having a slightly longer range. The F-35 can also refuel in mid-air, but there are concerns about the vulnerability of non-stealthy aerial refueling tankers in future conflicts.
The F-35's fuel tanks were found to be vulnerable to lightning strikes during testing, which led to the implementation of upgrades to address this issue. In 2021, a lightning strike damaged an F-35A in mid-air, causing repairs costing between $600,000 and $2.5 million. F-35 units across the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have reported being struck by lightning 15 times as of January 25, with each incident causing repairs ranging from $25,000 to $570,000.
The vulnerability of the F-35's fuel tanks to lightning strikes was attributed to the Onboard Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS), which injects nitrogen-enriched air into the jet's fuel tanks to prevent explosions. However, it was found that a crucial system may not function correctly if struck by lightning, leading to a ban on F-35A flights within 25 nautical miles of lightning or thunderstorms in 2020.
Upgrades to the F-35A's fuel tanks are currently being implemented to improve their resilience to lightning strikes. These modifications aim to enhance the safety and operational capabilities of the F-35A variant by allowing unrestricted flight in areas with lightning activity. The F-35 is reported to be more resilient against lightning strikes than originally anticipated, with advanced avionics continuing to function without issues in all reported strikes.
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The F-35's fuel causes discolouration on the aircraft's exterior
The F-35 is a single-engine, supersonic stealth fighter jet. It has a fuel capacity of approximately 19,700 pounds and is designed for both air superiority and strike missions.
The F-35's fuel can cause discolouration on the aircraft's exterior, but this is a common and expected result of operating in harsh environments. The discolouration is caused by exposure to fuel, oils, and jet blast. This cosmetic issue does not compromise the aircraft's performance or structural integrity. The F-35 program has introduced a next-generation coating that resists discolouration and extends the service life of the aircraft. This coating, along with a robust corrosion control strategy, ensures that the F-35 remains mission-ready and durable.
The F-35's fuel system has faced some challenges, including a fuel tube problem in 2018 that grounded all U.S. and international F-35s temporarily. This issue was an "isolated incident," according to the JPO, and was unrelated to corrosion or degradation. In 2016, certain F-35As were grounded due to faulty insulation in the coolant lines inside the fuel tanks.
The F-35's fuel contributes to its stealth or "low observability." The internal fuel, along with embedded sensors and weapons, reduces the aircraft's radar signature. The F-35's shape and geometric angles also disrupt radar return, making it more difficult for adversaries to detect and target. Additionally, the radar-absorbent coating further reduces and absorbs radar signals, enhancing the aircraft's stealth capabilities.
The discolouration caused by the F-35's fuel on its exterior is a cosmetic issue that has been addressed by the manufacturers. The F-35 program's focus on durability and proactive measures ensures that the aircraft remains mission-ready and maintains its stealth capabilities, even in harsh environments.
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Frequently asked questions
An F-35 holds 2,720 gallons of jet fuel.
An F-35 burns 22 gallons of jet fuel per minute.
The F-35 has over double the F-16's internal fuel capacity.
An F-35 burns 1,340 gallons of jet fuel per hour.
An F-35 uses jet fuel.
