Report finds no edge for F-35 on most tasks

A Canadian government report says that other fighter aircraft are just as capable as the F-35 at meeting most of the country’s needs, potentially inviting bids from rival jetmakers to replace Canada’s fleet of CF-18s
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F-35 LIGHTNING II SPECIFICATIONS

Speed Mach 1.6 (1,930km/h)

Combat radius 1,093km

Service ceiling 18,288m

Max. takeoff weight 31,800kg

Thrust-to-weight ratio 0.87

Armament: 25mm cannon,four internal and six externalhardpoints – maximum payload 8,160kg

Stealth: Layer ofradar-absorbing “fibre mat” built into aircraft skin. Facets and aligned edges help disperse hostile radar waves

*With full fuel and weapons

Dimensions

10.7m

4.38m

15.7m

Cost per plane $148 million (F-35A model, FY 2015)

Propulsion Single F135 turbofan,up to 178kN thrust with afterburner
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AIRCRAFT COMPARISON

Lockheed Martin F-35

Eurofighter Typhoon

Dassault Rafale

Boeing Super Hornet

Maximum speed Mach

1.6

2.35

2.0

1.8

Combat radius

000km

1.1

1.3

1.0

1.0

Maximum payload

tonnes

8.1

7.5

9.5

8.0

Thrust-to-weight ratio (full fuel and weapons)

0.87

1.07

0.99

0.93

Radar cross section sq m (lower = better)

0.1

0.5

1.0

1.0

Wing loading kg/sq m (lower = better)

446

312

306

460
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Sources: Lockheed Martin, Global Security, wire agencies

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