You've probably been living under a rock if you haven't heard of the US' forthcoming jet, the F-35 Lightning II.
Primarily developed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 has been called the most advanced multi-role fighter in the world. Various other parts, such as the engine and fuselages, were also developed by other partners, such as Northrop Grumman and Pratt & Whitney.
Sure its had its fair share of delays and budget issues, but it seems after working out its kinks, the fighter jet may be well on its way to ruling the skies.
But just because the F-35 has an attractive airframe doesn't mean that it'll be a shining example of the future of aviation.
Here are five features of this new warfighter that may change the battlefield of tomorrow:
SEE ALSO: Lockheed Martin just unveiled Israel's first F-35
It's virtually undetectable
Given the F-35's unique shape and features, it's able to remain undetected by radar, infrared sensors, and emission interception. Its internal fuel and weapons systems, sensors, and a stealth coating all work in conjunction that leaves the previous 4th generation of fighters in the dust — or in this case, on the enemy's radar.
Even its Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) was designed to keep the stealth factor in mind — engineers painstakingly designed it so that it could be integrated into the F-35's fuselage, making it low-drag and undetectable by enemy radar.
However, even with its long list of stealth features that were taken into account, the F-35 may still fall short of expectations. In a statement from the Commander of Air Combat Command, General Herbert J. Carlisle explained that other countries were developing new surface-to-air weapon systems that may possess the ability to acquire, track, and target US stealth aircraft.
It can see what you're seeing
Sharing is caring, and in today's seamlessly connected world, it's considered a necessity when it comes to information during combat.
The F-35 is capable of "quarterbacking" other aircraft — that is, seeing an integrated picture and then sharing the data with other pilots on the same network.
But it doesn't end there. That same data can not only be transmitted to other legacy jets, but also ground forces as well. This Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) developed by Northrop Grumman provides pilots the ability to share necessary information securely — without worrying about interception by enemy networks.
It has a robust data system
Given the large number of F-35s being produced for the US and other allied nations, it's crucial to keep maintenance records and allow that information to be shared amongst other pilots in the squadron.
As the F-35's "nerve center," the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) feature compiles a large amount of data to solve any issues with the aircraft, and then transmits it across a network for technicians to disseminate — even during flight. With the ALIS feature, technicians on the ground can be better prepared to provide maintenance during a scenario that calls for quick action.
However, a critical piece of software such as this may not be impervious to problems. CNN reports that the entire fleet could be grounded due to ALIS' issues. Additionally, according to Aviation International News, the DoD claimed that it was "the most prominent, current technical [risk]" as recently as June.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider