Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Which military branch operates the F-35?

Hey guys, I've been thinking a lot about aerospace and military technology recently, and I'm wondering which U.S. military branch is in charge of flying the F-35? Is it the Air Force, or does the Navy or Marine Corps have a hand in it too?

a year ago

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, often just referred to as the F-35, is a remarkable and versatile aircraft that's actually used by three of the six branches of the U.S. military.

The U.S. Air Force operates the F-35A, which is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant. This version of the F-35 is designed for traditional runway takeoff and landings, and it's the smallest and lightest of the three F-35 variants.

The U.S. Navy, on the other hand, utilizes the F-35C, which is the carrier variant (CV). As you might expect, the F-35C has been built to launch from and land on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, and it has larger wings and more robust landing gear than the other two models.

Finally, the U.S. Marine Corps operates the F-35B, which is the short takeoff and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant. This version gives the Marines the ability to deploy from smaller ships or austere runways, providing a high degree of operational flexibility.

So, in short, the F-35 is indeed operated by the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, each with their own distinct variant tailored to their unique operational needs. The F-35 represents a significant capability across multiple domains, underlining the increased emphasis on joint interoperability in modern military operations.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.