'Elephant Walk-ing' $3 billion worth of F-35 fighter jets

After years of cost overruns and criticism, the US military has started to deploy its stealth-enabled F-35 fighter jet. To communicate that message in no uncertain terms, the Air Force's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings carried out combat exercises meant to test the capabilities of their F-35As. The drill started off with an "Elephant Walk" that placed 36 of the jets (one is missing in this photo) on the runway all at once, worth $3 billion, at least at the current $90 million per airplane price.

Apart from creating an intimidating photo, the Air Force wanted to confirm its ability to quickly mass a force against air and ground targets, while showing off the F-35A's lethality. Both are the first combat-ready fighter wings with the jet and need to be able to deploy anywhere in the world at the drop of a hat.

There are three main variants of the F-35, also known as the Lightning II. The Air Force's F-35A is the smallest and lightest (and cheapest) version, and lands conventionally. The F-35B, meanwhile, is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) model, much like the Hawker Harrier Jump Jet. It can't carry much in the way of fuel or armaments in vertical takeoff mode, so it's generally designed to do short landings. The F-35C is essentially a beefed up, foldable wingtip version of the F-35A designed for the rigors of carrier service.

https://www.engadget.com/2018/11/23/the-big-picture-f-35a-elephant-walk/?yptr=yahoo