[Vectorian]

Named after the original 'Lightning' jet fighter which still holds the world record for rate of climb at 50,000 feet per minute.

[Walkingfeather]

CRIPES!!!! 50K a MINUTE>?

[Waverunner]

named after the P-38 Lightning, the most effective long range attack fighter of WW2. ( by the way the F22 was originally going to be called the Lightning 2, but it was changed to raptor during the Jurassic Park craze.)

[ArrogantBustard]

Lockheed P-38 "Lightning":

One of the last things Yammamoto ever saw ... The National Socialists weren't too fond of it, either.

[MARKUSPRIME]

I think the F-15 holds that record now.Soon to be broken by the F-22.

[Thunderchief F-105]

......absolutely NOT....!!! this "bird" is the
"Lightning II," so there had to have been an (American...!) "Lightning" - and there was....! the famous P-38 Lightning of World War II fame.... the "fork-tailed devil" as the Germans referred to it...! The F-35 was NOT named after some Brit kite.....!! get real, man....!

[ops33]

Also included in the naming was the P-38 Lightning of WW 2 fame.

[rlmorel]

LOL...

That's YOUR side of the Atlantic!

Over here, I am sure it was named after that beautiful Fork Tailed Devil!

[AnalogReigns]

Named after the original 'Lightning' jet fighter ..."

Umm, no. I'm sure it was named for the American (not British) Lockheed manufactured figher of legendary WWII fame:

[norton]

I like the Brit version too,
but it's named after the P-38.

(I'm sure a dozen or so have beaten me to this reply - so consider this a reminder)