F-35I Adir

F-35I Adir
Name	F-35I Adir
Caption	An F-35I of the Israeli Air Force.
Type	Stealth multirole combat aircraft
National origin	United States / Israel
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin / Israel Aerospace Industries
First flight	10 December 2016
Introduction	December 2017
Status	In service
Primary user	Israeli Air Force
Number built	39 (as of 2024)
Developed from	Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

F-35I Adir. The F-35I Adir is a unique variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft, customized for and operated exclusively by the Israeli Air Force. The name "Adir" translates to "Mighty One" in Hebrew, reflecting the aircraft's advanced capabilities. Developed under the Joint Strike Fighter program, it incorporates significant Israeli-specific avionics, electronic warfare systems, and weaponry, making it a cornerstone of Israel's defense strategy and a key component of its qualitative military edge in the Middle East.

Development and acquisition

Israel's involvement in the Joint Strike Fighter program began in the early 2000s, with formal agreement to participate as a Security Cooperation Partner. The decision to procure the aircraft was solidified by the Israeli Ministry of Defense under Minister Ehud Barak, with the U.S. government granting approval for the sale in 2010. The procurement process was managed through the U.S. Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program. A significant milestone was the signing of the initial contract for 19 aircraft in 2014, with subsequent orders increasing the fleet. The development of the Israeli-specific F-35I variant involved close collaboration between Lockheed Martin, the Israel Air Force, and local defense contractors like Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems. The first F-35I was officially delivered in a ceremony at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, in December 2016.

Design and features

Based on the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing model, the F-35I incorporates the Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine. Its defining characteristics are the extensive Israeli-developed systems integrated into its airframe, known collectively as the "Adir Suite." This includes a unique C4I and avionics package developed by Elbit Systems, notably the ASQ-239 Barracuda system for enhanced electronic warfare and signals intelligence. The aircraft is also equipped with Israeli-specific datalink systems for seamless integration with existing Israeli Air Force assets like the Gulfstream G550 AEW&C platform. Furthermore, it is certified to employ a wide array of indigenous weapons, including the Python-5 and I-Derby ER air-to-air missiles, and the Spice family of precision-guided bombs. These modifications ensure interoperability with national defense networks while maintaining the core stealth and sensor fusion capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II.

Operational history

The first F-35I squadron, the "Golden Eagles" of 116 Squadron, was declared operational at Nevatim Airbase in December 2017. The aircraft saw its first publicly confirmed combat deployment during "Operation Guardian of the Walls" in May 2021, conducting strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. In 2022, the "Lions of the South" squadron, 140 Squadron, also transitioned to the Adir. The F-35I fleet has been routinely deployed for long-range strategic reconnaissance and deterrence missions across the Middle East, including operations in Syrian airspace. Notably, in 2023, the Israeli Air Force announced the Adir had been used in an operational capacity to shoot down cruise missiles during the Iran–Israel conflict.

Variants

The F-35I Adir is a single, distinct variant based on the F-35A. There are no sub-variants of the Adir itself. However, Israeli defense companies have developed specific upgrade packages and subsystems that are applied to the fleet. All F-35Is are delivered in the Block 3F software configuration or later, with plans to upgrade them to the more advanced Block 4 standard, which will incorporate further Israeli-specific enhancements. The aircraft's design allows for the continuous integration of new indigenous weapons and sensor pods as they are developed by companies like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Operators

* Israel ** Israeli Air Force – Operates the entire fleet of F-35I Adir aircraft. *** 116 Squadron ("Golden Eagles") based at Nevatim Airbase. *** 140 Squadron ("Lions of the South") based at Nevatim Airbase.

Specifications (F-35I)

General characteristics * **Crew:** 1 * **Length:** 15.7 m (51 ft 5 in) * **Wingspan:** 10.7 m (35 ft 0 in) * **Height:** 4.33 m (14 ft 2 in) * **Powerplant:** 1 × Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 turbofan with afterburner * **Maximum speed:** Mach 1.6 * **Range:** 2,200 km (1,200 nmi) on internal fuel * **Combat radius:** 1,100 km (590 nmi) Armament * **Guns:** 1 × 25 mm GAU-22/A rotary cannon * **Hardpoints:** 6 external pylons on wings (with stealth ordnance carried internally) with a capacity of 8,100 kg (17,900 lb), plus internal bays for two air-to-air missiles * **Missiles:** AIM-120 AMRAAM, Python-5, I-Derby ER * **Bombs:** GBU-31 JDAM, GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, Spice series Avionics * AN/APG-81 AESA radar * AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System * AN/ASQ-239 Barracuda electronic warfare system (Israeli variant) * Helmet-mounted display system

Category:Military aircraft of Israel Category:Stealth aircraft Category:2010s Israeli military aircraft