The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a joint, multinational acquisition program for the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and eight cooperative international partners. It was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production and operating costs down. The objective is to develop a technically superior and affordable fleet of aircraft that would be capable of a wide range of missions in a variety of theaters. On October 26, 2001, the contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin, whose X-35 experimental aircraft outperformed Boeing's X-32. The F-35 Lightning II, which is descended from the X-35, has become synonymous with the JSF program. It is a single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter that can perform multiple roles such as close air support, tactical bombing and air-to-air combat. Expected to be the largest military aircraft procurement ever, the F-35 will replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft. The JSF aircraft design has three variants: conventional takeoff and landing (F-35A), short takeoff and vertical landing (F-35B), and carrier-based (F-35C). The F-35C naval variant will have a larger, folding wing and larger control surfaces for improved low-speed control, and stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier landings. The larger wing area provides increased range and payload, with twice the range on internal fuel compared with the F/A-18C Hornet, achieving the same goal as the heavier F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The US Navy intends to buy 480 F-35Cs to replace the Hornets. It will also serve as a stealthier complement to the Super Hornet. The F-35C is expected to be available beginning in 2012. Our F-35C Lightning II JSF/CV scale model is a faithful reproduction of the original aircraft. Handcrafted and hand-painted, it boasts of accurate details that are protected by a coat of clear lacquer. All models undergo various stages of quality control before reaching our customers. More than just a replica, it is a true work of art. The F-35C JSF/CV model aircraft is perfect as an addition to a growing collection or as an exquisite gift to a loved one. This model has measurements of: Span: 10 3/4" Len: 12 3/4" and Scale: 1/48