NAVAL AIR STATION, PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland F-35B Lockheed Martin F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) Lightning II test airc...
NAVAL AIR STATION, PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland
Lockheed Martin F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) Lightning II test aircraft recently completed the first-ever Vertical Takeoff (VTO) on May 10.
The Vertical Take off capablitiy is one of the many capabilities required for the fielding an F-35B aircraft. While not a combat capability, VTOs are required for repositioning of the STOVL in environments where a jet could not perform a short takeoff. In these cases, the jet, with a limited amount of fuel, would execute a VTO to travel a short distance.
A shaft-driven LiftFan propulsion system built by Rolls-Royce is incorporated at the aft of F-35B's cockpit to accomplish the STOVL capabilities.
The F-35B will replace the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II fighter aircrafts currently in service with the United States Marine Corps (USMC). It will also replace GR7, GR9 and Sea Harrier aircraft deployed in the fleet of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
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| F-35B |
Lockheed Martin F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) Lightning II test aircraft recently completed the first-ever Vertical Takeoff (VTO) on May 10.
The Vertical Take off capablitiy is one of the many capabilities required for the fielding an F-35B aircraft. While not a combat capability, VTOs are required for repositioning of the STOVL in environments where a jet could not perform a short takeoff. In these cases, the jet, with a limited amount of fuel, would execute a VTO to travel a short distance.
A shaft-driven LiftFan propulsion system built by Rolls-Royce is incorporated at the aft of F-35B's cockpit to accomplish the STOVL capabilities.
The F-35B will replace the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II fighter aircrafts currently in service with the United States Marine Corps (USMC). It will also replace GR7, GR9 and Sea Harrier aircraft deployed in the fleet of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
