Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II simulator visit Yokota

Bob DuLaney, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II director of F-35 customer engagement, explains the capabilities of the aircraft at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 29, 2014. Some of the capabilities the F-35 has to offer is it's stealth, sensor information fusion and network-enabled operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Meagan Schutter/Released)

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II simulator visit Yokota

Commander of the 374th Mission Support Squadron, Col. Scott Maskery, pilots the F-35 Lightning II simulator from Lockheed Martin at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 29, 2014. The F-35 is a 5th Generation fighter, which means all capabilities are enhanced and the technology provides greater survivability, situational awareness, and effectiveness for pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Meagan Schutter/Released)

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II simulator visit Yokota

Commander of the Medical Support Squadron, Lt Col. Christopher Estridge, tests out the F-35 Lightning II simulator from Lockheed Martin at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 29, 2014. Some of the capabilities the F-35 has to offer is it's stealth, sensor information fusion and network-enabled operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Meagan Schutter/Released)

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II simulator visits Yokota

Published Oct. 7, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Meagan Schutter
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Last week, Yokota welcomed Lockheed Martin to the Taiyo Community Center for the display of the F-35 Lightning II simulator. The F-35 is the second, 5th generation fighter jet; F-22 Raptor being the first.

The simulator came to Yokota and other air bases to give Airmen the opportunity to see what capabilities the aircraft offers before it arrives throughout the Air Force.

"This is a great opportunity to operate the simulator and experience what the F-35 has to offer, given I might have work with the aircraft in the near future," said Airman 1st Class Lindsay McGuire, 374th Operation Support Squadron airfield management operations coordinator.

The simulator also travels to air shows and international fairs, to show off its capabilities, to the public.

This 5th generation model has several multi-mission capabilities, such as overall situational awareness, very low observable stealth, integrated sensor fusion, which creates a "bubble" around the aircraft where it can see friend and foe, but they can't see the aircraft in return and much more.

"The F-35 is the one that the Air Force is going to procure next and they will to be our biggest customer with 1,763," said Bob Dulaney, Director of F-35 customer engagement.

Currently, there are approximately 100 F-35's that are flying in the U.S. military fleet. By 2018, Lockheed Martin plans to have more than 400 total operational.

There are three models of the F-35, the A, B and C, which cater to the different U.S. services and their demands. For instance, the C model, made for the U.S. Navy, is designed for slower approaches and smaller spaces to sit on aircraft carriers.

Along with the U.S. gaining the F-35, there are multiple countries that will be using the F-35, such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, Italy and more.

Dec. 19, 2011, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced its selection of the F-35 as the Japan Air Self Defense Force's next generation fighter aircraft.

"It really is a disadvantage to our adversaries and that's exactly what we want; the fifth generation is a game changer," said Dulaney.

For more information on the F-35 Lightning II visit https://www.f35.com