The Name Game

The nickname for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be announced July 7. There are several official suggstions, including the Lightning II, Spitfire II, Cyclone, Reaper, Black Mamba, and Piasa. The Lightning II is the most likely to be chosen since the original Lockheed P-38 Lightning was the plane of America's greatest Ace in World War II. Likewise, the Spitfire was a famed British plane in WW2. The Cyclone, Reaper, and Black Mamba are also good finalists but our Dutch allies suggested the Piasa (a mythical man-eating bird). Ummm… no.

Other suggestions already dismissed include the Fury (suggested by the British), Phantom (Australia), Scorpion (Canada), Mustang (US Marines), and Skyruler (Turkey). Also popular were Ghost, Storm, Razorback, Phoenix, Raven, and Rapier.

Fury was actually the frontrunner at one point, with variations including the Sky Fury (Airforce), Sea Fury (Navy), and Storm Fury (Marines). But trademark conflicts prevented Lockheed from going any further (that's right – the old Plymouth Fury!).

I really don't care for repeat, honorific names, it seems too unorginal. The F-22A was originally going to be the Lightning II, and then the Superstar, and finally the Raptor. I think any name with a II or III is just asking to get ignored.

I personally would like to see it called the F-35 Reaper, complementing the F-22A Raptor, knowing full well that the pilots may just ignore whatever the official designation is and make up their own name:

• The A-10 Thunderbolt II is always called a Warthog.
• The B-52 Stratofortress is usually referred to as a Buff.
• The F-16 Fighting Falcon is often called the Viper (unless it crashes, then it's called a lawn dart).
• The F/A-18 Hornet is sometimes called the Bug.