The Lockheed F-35 is an advanced stealth fifth generation fighter combining speed and superb
agility. There are three variants; F-35A, B and C. The F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and
Landing) and has four internal weapons stations in two weapons bays plus three optional
external weapons stations. The F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant while the
F-35C is a CV (Carrier Variant). The F-35 will replace the USAF A-10 and F-16, the F/A-18 for the
USN and the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the USMC.
On June 24, 2017 an event was held marking the 100th Anniversary of five of Italy’s most noted
combat squadrons. Four of the five are equipped with the Eurofighter Typhoon while the fifth is
the XIII Gruppo (13th Squadron) CACCIA (Hunting) / 32 (Stormo) Wing and Italy’s first unit
equipped with the F-35A Lightning II. For the occasion F-35As MM7336/32-05 and the
MM7357/32-07 were given special markings on the left side tail only. It depicts Don Quixote, the
number 100 and the dates 1917-2017. These F-35As were built at Plant Cameri FACO.