Lockheed Martin was formed in 1995 through a merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, and it is easily one of the biggest names in the aerospace and defense industries today. The U.S. military buys a large number of aircraft from Lockheed Martin, and over the years, some of these have become some of the most iconic in the world. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at these aircraft, including one of its newest fighter jets the F-35 Lightning II. (This country flies the most F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, and its not even close.)
To identify the most iconic aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of Lockheed Martin aircraft from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles and aircraft used by militaries around the world. We ordered these aircraft chronologically and included supplemental information about when each aircraft was introduced, the type of aircraft, its top speed, and its armament. We excluded aircraft that did not did not make it out of the prototype or concept phase.
One of the newest and most iconic aircraft made by Lockheed Martin is the F-35 Lightning II. This fifth-generation fighter jet has only entered service within the last decade. It can be outfitted for a number of operational needs and as such its arsenal includes Sidewinder missiles, AIM missiles, guided bombs, cluster bombs, and some are capable of carrying a nuclear ordnance.
The F-22 Raptor is another popular fighter jet that emerged in the last two decades. This jet is capable of hitting Mach 2, making it an ideal interceptor for air-to-air combat. Like the F-35, the F-22 Raptor is outfitted with a series of air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, cruise missiles, and guided bombs. (These are all the major aircraft the U.S. Air Force has used.)
Here is a look at the most iconic aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin:
Why Are We Covering This?
Understanding the military aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin is important for a few reasons. These aircraft represent significant advancements in aerospace technology and innovation, and they have ultimately shaped what we know of modern air combat as well as transportation. These aircraft also are crucial to the overall defense strategy of the United States and its allies in maintaining global stability.
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