Key Points and Summary on the Ferrari F-35 – After losing the contract for the next-generation fighter, Lockheed Martin has a new plan: a massive upgrade for the F-35, nicknamed the “Ferrari F-35.”
The initiative aims to “supercharge” the existing jet with 6th-generation technologies from its failed bid, including the ability to control “loyal wingman” drones.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares for take off at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 1, 2025. The continuous rotation of aircraft to Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains flexible and postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to deter acts of aggression. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nathaniel Jackson)
A primary goal is to fix the F-35’s critical range problem, especially for the Navy in the Pacific, where it is out-ranged by Chinese carrier-killer missiles.
The solution involves new stealthy fuel tanks and mid-air refueling from the new MQ-25 Stingray drone.
The Ferrari F-35 Fighter Explained
Lockheed Martin is worried. It just lost the F-47 NGAD contract to Boeing. Canada may not opt for its full order of Lockheed F-35s, and other countries could pursue alternatives. So, the defense behemoth has a trick up its sleeve.
It wants to make the Lightning II irresistible to the U.S. military and other foreign air forces. This initiative is called the “Ferrari F-35” makeover.
The F-35 Is Getting a Glow Up
The souped-up F-35 will be “supercharged” with some of the new technologies Lockheed wanted to incorporate with its F-47 proposal. Instead of challenging the NGAD award or requesting that it be re-competed, Lockheed’s CEO Jim Taiclet said on an earnings call that the F-35 will be granted a new lease of life with sixth-generation features.
“There are techniques and capabilities … that were developed for [our NGAD bid] that we can now apply here,” Taiclet said. “We’re basically going to take the [F-35′s] chassis and turn it into a Ferrari.”
These Upgrades Will Be a Challenge
Updating all of the F-35s around the world will not be easy. There are approximately 3,500 models in various forms serving at least 19 air forces worldwide, but Taiclet believes his company can perform the Ferrari upgrades for half the original estimated cost.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a bilateral air exercise with Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters over the Pacific Ocean, April 14, 2023. Bilateral operations exemplify the U.S. and Japan alliance’s ability to quickly and decisively respond to threats within the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)
Collaborative Drones Will Add to the Mystique
One aspect of flight that Lockheed wants to emphasize is the concept of manned-unmanned teaming. The Block 4 F-35s will be able to control a “Loyal Wingman” group of autonomous drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data collection, plus ground strike, and battle damage assessment. That last attribute, known as BDA, has become all-important as U.S. intelligence analysts try to determine just how effective the bombing missions against Iranian nuclear infrastructure were.
Laundry List of New Capabilities
The F-35 will also eventually feature improved stealth, enhanced engines, advanced avionics, infrared sensors, and electronic warfare capabilities, transforming it into a fifth-generation “plus” fighter.
A critical feature of the base model F-35 is that its software on the “Flying Computer” can be updated more effectively after collecting performance data from missions – an approach the Israelis have successfully employed with their F-35I Adirs. The Americans hope to incorporate the lessons learned from the brief Israel-Iran clash into the F-35.
“We have 70,000 engineers and scientists in the company working on really interesting stuff all the time,” Taiclet said. “Some of the fifth-gen-plus solution set is already being funded by the U.S. government and the F-35 program itself. [These are] key techniques, I’ll say, and approaches that [the] fighter pilot needs to have to be competitive and win,” the CEO explained.
The Biggest Issue Will Be Range
One question mark the F-35 needs to answer is how its range can be improved. This is especially concerning in the Indo-Pacific as the naval version of the Lightning II is limited. The F-35C will be operating on carriers far from China’s shores and outside the range of carrier-killing missiles. A Ferrari F-35C would require a combat radius to hit targets from extended ranges.
“The F-22 has been tested with stealthy underwing pylons and fuel tanks that will significantly enhance its range, though how much is a secret. The F-35’s different shaping would probably require different versions of those on the F-22, but the principles should make adapting the concept to the F-35 fairly straightforward,” according to AirandSpaceForces.com.
The F-35C currently has a range of 670 nautical miles. Chinese carrier-killing missiles, such as the DF-21D and DF-17D, have ranges of 1,336 miles and 1,553 miles, respectively. The F-35C requires significant improvements to its combat radius, and Lockheed will have its work cut out for it to enhance the stealth capabilities of the pylons and external fuel tanks it plans to add.
One way to extend the F-35C’s range is to use the new MQ-25 Stingray. This is a naval drone capable of conducting aerial refueling from aircraft carriers. The MQ-25 could potentially have reconnaissance and ground strike capabilities in the future.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies an F-35 assigned to the 421st Fighter Generation Squadron at the Wings Over Houston Airshow, Tx., Oct. 15, 2023. Wings Over Houston showcases vintage World War II aircraft alongside the thrills of modern aviation, and has supported a variety of local and national charities during its 39-year history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish)
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 60th Fighter Squadron, flies overhead after conducting a live weapons drop at Camp Shelby, Miss., Oct 25, 2023. During the exercise, pilots tested various munitions including the GBU-12s, GBU-31v1s, and 362 rounds of 25mm Training Munitions from the gun.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner, pilot of the F-35A Demonstration Team, performs aerial maneuvers during the Southernmost Airshow Spectacular at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, on March 30, 2025. The team’s mission is to inspire, engage, and recruit the next generation of Airmen by showcasing the capabilities of the Air Force’s premier fifth-generation fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Rupiper)
If the F-35C had the new stealth pylons and fuel tanks and could be refueled in-air by the Stingray, the Navy may have answered the range question. If the Ferrari upgrades are added to the F-35 as well, then the F-35C will be a fifth-generation “plus” fighter.
Lockheed Martin should be given credit for peering into the future of next-generation flight. The Ferrari upgrades will be extensive and quite costly, but engineers and designers are ready to get to work. The Americans are determining the range question for the F-35C, and refueling with the Stingray should enable aircraft carriers to operate outside the range of the best Chinese anti-ship missiles.
In 4 Words: F-35 ‘Upgrades’ Could Work
The idea behind the F-35 was to encourage upgrades consistently, and Lockheed has arrived at the best formula.
Let’s see if the Ferrari models are as good as they look on paper. The final grade will be determined by combat performance with new capabilities, as demonstrated by the Israelis in battle.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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