Today marks the official roll-out of the first test version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The aeroplane will be named in the ceremony to mark the proceedings today. Out of all the candidate names, my money is on Lightning II.

Here she is…

http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=13455
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=13454
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=13453

I reckon the yanks will stick with their "bird" theme for the aircraft, like Eagle, Falcon etc. Thats supposing USAF has most influence, the USN seems to have a bit more variation.

Do you have a list of candidate names?

Ive just looked it up on FI- Black Mamba? Piasa??????

I reckon the yanks will stick with their "bird" theme for the aircraft, like Eagle, Falcon etc. Thats supposing USAF has most influence, the USN seems to have a bit more variation.

Do you have a list of candidate names?

The shortlist has been leaked (allegedly) and insiders have indicated that the bird of prey nomenclature will be dropped in favour of honouring classic military aircraft. This list supposedly includes:

Cyclone, Reaper, Black Mamba and Piasa.

Names rumoured to have been rejected include:

Mustang II, Fury, Scorpion, Phantom III and Sky Ruler

As the UK is a level one partner, there have even been rumours of Spitfire II, however, I think this unlikely. The reason I have suggested Lightning II, is that it is neutral from a UK/US perspective, with the P-38 Lightning serving the American forces during WW2, and the English Electric Lightning having served in the RAF.

Spitfire II would be a poor choice, I agree. Spitfire will only mean one thing to most people. What is a Piasa? Black Mamba sounds ridiculous, makes me think of the woman in Tom and Jerry.

What is a Piasa? Black Mamba sounds ridiculous, makes me think of the woman in Tom and Jerry.

I think it's some kind of mythical bird (American indian?), and one almost certainly not to be chosen I would think.

Today marks the official roll-out of the first test version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The aeroplane will be named in the ceremony to mark the proceedings today.

Ah, it seems that this will not be happening today after all. My source (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/) got it wrong, and has apologised. It seems that Friday 14th July will be the date.

UPDATE: Well, even their update was wrong (the terms piss-up and brewery spring to mind) and the aircraft was indeed named today after all. It will now be known as the F-35 Lightning II.

The Lightning II is decent....considering what you said regarding the U.S. and U.K. both having Lightning planes. Black Mamba sounds cool...but not suitable for a jet fighter. Spitfire II or Hellcat II would be cool names...but wouldnt suit both the USAF and RAF. Reaper is a fucking awesome name.

the Piasa is a bad ass looking mythical creature though.

I wonder what the RAF and RN will call it. When the RAF bought the F-4 Phantom II, it was just named the Phantom (since unlike they'd never used the original FH Phantom that served in the US Navy), and when the Eurofighter re-used the name of the Hawker Typhoon, it wasn't called the Typhoon II (probably because the partner nations had never previously had a Typhoon, or Tifon, or what have you). I imagine it will just be the Lightning - as it's a strike aircraft it won't use the designations F1, F2, F3 or F6 like the English Electric Lightning, although they'll have to avoid T4 and T5 variants...

yes putting a II after it as if it were a sequel is stupid... its not as if they`ll get confused!

I dont really like re using old names, unless like the Phantom, the original wasnt really significant. I always preface "P38" before Lightning when referring to the older one, now the longer "English Electric" will need to go before the "true" Lightning.

And, presumably, "Hawker" before the "true" Typhoon :)

PS If you want to fly a "true" Lightning, click here (http://www.incredible-adventures.com/capetown.html) :)

Ive seen that guy on "John Nicols Flies.." on Disc Wings. Looks fantastic, but what to choose, Lightning or Buccaneer???

Easy peasy.

"The Lightning and Hawker feature dual controls and side-by-side seating. In the Buccaneer, the seating is tandem and only the pilot has controls."

Though my dad flew Buccs back in the day, so it would be nice to do both. Now where did I leave that spare $29,500...?

I dont really like re using old names, unless like the Phantom, the original wasnt really significant. I always preface "P38" before Lightning when referring to the older one, now the longer "English Electric" will need to go before the "true" Lightning.

It's quite an old military tradition most obvious with the naming of warships. If you go to the Royal Navy's web pages you can see historys of the diffferently named ships of the current fleet, often there have been names used several times over hundreds of years.
(edit rather obvious point i know)

I like the idea of bringing in an old name but there are obviously gonna be exceptions like Spitfire that should never be reused.

I quite like Lightning btw.

I suppose so, although ships are unique entities rather than a collection of identical units, and can be distinguished by their pennant numbers, e.g.

HMS Ark Royal R09 - Audacious-class aircraft carrier, 1955-78
HMS Ark Royal R07 - Invincible-class aircraft carrier, 1985 onwards

Ships' class names, for example Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, Trafalgar-class submarine, are more akin to aircraft names, and as far as I am aware no class name has ever been recycled...

damn she's looking sexy

She does indeed.

Any idea how many of these babys the UK and other nations are going to order?

our initial order was for 150, but i wouldn't be in the least way surprised if the final number is far fewer.

I'd be suprised if we order more than 100. Only 60 will be in front line service.

Half the number of 150 by half and then take off about 30 and thats how many we'll get but at double the cost.

Any news on the STOVAL