This Is the Newest and Most Advanced Fighter Jet to Enter the US Navy

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The F-35 Lightning II is the newest fighter jet to enter the U.S. Navy, and it is one of the most advanced combat aircraft in the world
• Its stealth technology is highly advanced as a result of its airframe and radar absorbing materials
• The F-35 was developed by Lockheed Martin and entered service in 2016
• Also: Dividend legends to hold forever

Compared to all other world militaries, the U.S. Navy by itself is home to one of the most advanced fleets of aircraft. While many nations are cobbling together fleets of aircraft from the Cold War era, the U.S. Navy has introduced some of the most cutting-edge aircraft in the past few decades alone. Chief among these is the F-35 Lightning II.

The F-35 Lightning II represents a huge leap in aviation technology. It combines advanced stealth, speed, and firepower, as one of the newest fifth-generation fighter jets on the planet. It was only introduced in 2016 but has become wildly popular since then with hundreds of these jets on order. ( This country is buying the most F-35 Lightning IIs, and it is not even close. )

Developed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Lightning II’s stealth technology makes it practically invisible to radar. Its stealth capabilities are a result of its unique airframe design, which minimizes radar cross-section. Also, it was designed with radar-absorbing materials that cover much of its surface. The fact that this jet carries its armament internally further improves its stealth profile as well.

The model the Navy uses, the F-35C, is specifically designed for carrier operations. It features larger wings and slightly different landing gear to handle catapult launches. The F-35 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine which allows the jet to hit speeds up to Mach 1.6 or 1,200 mph.

Specifically for naval operations, the F-35 plays an important role in not just direct combat but also in electronic warfare with its advanced systems. Its stealth capabilities also make it ideal for reconnaissance.

While the F-35 Lightning II is the newest fighter jet to enter the U.S. Navy, there are a handful of other aircraft that play important roles within the Navy as well. 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the Navy’s arsenal and what it has to offer. ( Exploring the future of military aviation. )

To identify the newest aircraft flown by the U.S. Navy, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, and ranked the aircraft chronologically. Additionally, we’ve included supplemental information on the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, top speed and armament. We have excluded all trainer aircraft.

Here is a look at the newest aircraft in the U.S. Navy: Why Are We Covering This?

24/7 would like our readers to understand where their tax dollars are being spent. The Navy received $202.6 billion in government funding in 2024, second only to the Air Force at $216.1. billion. In fiscal year 2025, the Navy has requested $16.6 billion of its funding to purchase 75 aircraft and helicopters, which is actually slightly less than in 2024.

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