Posted on 07/07/2006 6:23:34 PM PDT by SandRat
7/7/2006 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force chief of staff announced Lightning II as the F-35 name during a Joint Strike Fighter Inauguration Ceremony today at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. at Fort Worth, Texas.
Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final decision after an extensive nomination and review process, coordinated with the other services and partner nations.
In naming the F-35, General Moseley said, "Today, the enemies of peace and freedom have been put on notice. They have feared this day because the F-35 provides the coalition warfighter the perfect blend of speed, precision and stealth.
"In my travels, Airmen have given me some great suggestions that we'll see on new Air Force weapons systems in the near future," he said. "The name for the F-35, Lightning II, was a win for aviation heritage and culture."
The heritage associated with this name played a significant role in its selection. The original P-38 Lightning was also a strike fighter and had the most air-to-air kills in the Pacific during World War II. Both of America's top two aces -- Maj. Richard Bong, 40 kills, and Maj. Thomas McGuire, 38 kills -- scored all of their victories in the P-38 Lightning in WWII.
The Lightning II name also draws parallels with a formidable force of nature. Like lightning, the F-35 Lightning II will strike with destructive force. The stealth characteristics of the jet will allow the F-35 to strike the enemy with accuracy and unpredictability; when the enemy finally hears the thunder, the F-35 is long gone.
The F-35 Lightning II is the next generation strike fighter bringing cutting-edge technologies to the battlespace of the future. The Lightning II's advanced airframe, autonomic logistics, avionics, propulsion systems, stealth and firepower will make it an affordable, lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft for warfighters across the globe.
The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. Air Force and Navy representatives proposed the Lightning II name during the review process.
The Lightning name returns to a Fighter.
Lightning II was the original name of the F-22 back in the early 90's. There was talk then that the F-22 should have a unique name because she was a unique aircraft.
Guess someone at Lockheed Martin really likes that name.
The Japanese called it "the whispering death." Most under-rated fighter of WWII.
As opposed to the F4U Corsair, which they called whistling death?
the Germans called it "The Fork-Tailed Devil"
aka: "fork tailed devil"
The P-38 fared very well against the Jap zero, I don't think it fared that it had that great of a record as a fighter in the European theater...even if the Germans did call it the fork tailed devil. Correct me if I'm wrong.
American P-38J - This is a model of an Army fighter that flew against the Japanese in the South Pacific in 1944. The P-38 was created in response to the U.S. Army's request for a heavily armed, long range, high altitude fighter to intercept enemy planes before they could reach America's shores. Its designers decided two engines would be necessary to meet the requirement. This resulted in an innovative design, including the unique twin booms with the middle pod for a pilot, and the first tricycle landing gear to be used on a fighter plane. The P-38 entered U.S. service in 1941, before Pearl Harbor, but did not see combat until 1942. It was first deployed on a large scale in Algeria in late 1942, earning the nickname of "The Fork-Tailed Devil" from the Germans. Despite its long-range capabilities, the P-38 was unpopular as a day bomber escort in the European theater because the quality of British fuel affected the performance of its inline turbo-supercharged engines at high altitudes. This wasn't a problem, however, in the Pacific theater, where the P-38 enjoyed enormous success in a wide variety of roles.
That's about as catchy as "Thunderbolt II." I have a feeling the pilots will come up with something more interesting.
So British fuel kept it from its optimum potential in Europe. As I was saying, it had its greatest success in the pacific. Thanks for the info.
do you mean Charles A. Lindbergh?
The P-38 got kind of a bad rap when first sent to England, minus Superchargers for its engines. Where it lost a lot of its speed at high altitude. Relegating the aircraft to Reconnaisance and low level operations.
After Pearl Harbor, the Lightning's Mission didn't change all that much. Until the need for Close Air Support was developed during and after Operation Cobra.
The Lightning did fairly well in the ETO, but excelled in the Pacific, where Tactics differed. Due to a distinct lack of Flak, and the Lightning's ability to climb quickly and stay above Japanese fighters. Then drop on them.
Jack.
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