Description
The F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, supersonic stealth strike fighters. A multirole combat aircraft designed for both air superiority and strike missions, it also has electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The USAF considers the aircraft its primary strike fighter for conducting suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) and air interdiction missions, owing to the advanced sensors and mission systems.
Lockheed Martin is the prime F-35 contractor with principal partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The aircraft has three main variants: the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A, the short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) F-35B, and the carrier variant (CV) catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) F-35C.
The F-35’s electronic sensors include the Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS). This system provides pilots with situational awareness in a sphere around the aircraft for enhanced missile warning, aircraft warning, and day/night pilot vision. Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with the Electro-Optical Targeting System. The internally mounted EOTS provides extended range detection and precision targeting against ground targets, plus long range detection of air-to-air threats.
The F-35 contains state-of-the-art tactical data links that provide the secure sharing of data among its flight members as well as other airborne, surface and ground-based platforms required to perform assigned missions. The commitment of JSF partner nations to common communications capabilities and web-enabled logistics support will enable a new level of Coalition interoperability. These capabilities allow the F-35 to lead the defense community in the migration to the net-centric war fighting force of the future.
The first USAF F-35A deployment occurred on 15 April 2019 to Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE. On 27 April 2019, USAF F-35As were first used in combat in an airstrike on an Islamic State tunnel network in northern Iraq.
According to US officials, F-35As and F-22s launched from land bases in the region, were used to attempt to draw surface-to-air missile fire ahead of B-2 bombing runs during the United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on 22 June 2025.
In January 2026, F-35s participated in the United States strikes in Venezuela, along with F-22s, B-1s, F/A-18s, E/A-18s, and various intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft and drones. General Dan Caine claimed the aircraft were used to disable Venezuelan air defense systems to ensure the safe passage of the helicopters into the target area. The operation resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
This coin salutes the F-35’s role in advancing America’s air superiority. Â The obverse features a rendering of the F-35. The reverse displays the USAF emblem.
Minted in bronze, this coin contains an antique bronze finish.
Each measures 1.75 inch (44mm) in diameter.
