The F-35 Lightning II has become the defining fifth-generation multirole fighter of the 21st century, with widespread adoption across allied air forces. But despite their similar appearance, the three main variants—the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C—are distinct aircraft, each engineered for specific roles within different branches of the U.S. military and its allies.
This video provides an in-depth, side-by-side comparison of all three models:
• The F-35A, the lightest and most agile variant, optimized for conventional airbases and high-G maneuvering.
• The F-35B, with its complex STOVL capability, suited to forward-deployed Marine and small-deck naval operations—though at the cost of range, internal fuel, and payload.
• The F-35C, the carrier-optimized variant with broader wings and robust landing gear, designed for long-range strike missions and durability in high-tempo naval operations.