The National Interest on MSN

Is the F-35 Lightning II a Good Ground Attack Aircraft?

The F-35’s multirole design prevents it from excelling at close air support—yet the fighter jet is well-suited to missions in contested airspace, which competitors like the A-10 Warthog are not.
Task & Purpose

Why does the US have F-35s flying anti-cartel missions in the Caribbean?

F-35 fighters are designed to fight a high-tech war against a near-peer adversary. The US military is using them to combat drug smugglers. By Jeff Schogol Published Sep 19, 2025 4:07 PM EDT The F-35 ...
SlashGear

What Is The Flap Behind The F-35 Lightning Cockpit And Why Is It Open?

The F-35 Lightning II is perhaps the best example of the indomitable human spirit. Regarded as the most advanced fighter jet to date, this aircraft is truly one of the pinnacle weapons of any military ...
WFAA8

Lockheed Martin secures $24 billion contract for nearly 300 more F-35 Lightning II jets

Lockheed Martin Corp. finalized a federal contract to produce nearly 300 more F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, which will be assembled in Fort Worth. The U.S. Department of War announced the contract, ...
Jane's Information Group

Rheinmetall prepares to turn out first F-35 fuselages

Rheinmetall is to build F-35 fuselages at new Weeze facility in Germany (Northrop Grumman) Rheinmetall is to shortly begin building fuselage sections for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint ...