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F-35 is actually STOVL. Short-takeoff, vertical landing. Which allows it all of the flexiblity you mentioned above, but in combat the F-35 does not take off ver
by sceew 10y ago
F-35 is actually STOVL. Short-takeoff, vertical landing. Which allows it all of the flexiblity you mentioned above, but in combat the F-35 does not take off vertically.
- deelowe 10y agoWhat's the definition of short take off? In the video, it appears to lift off from a stand still.
- ju-st 10y agoIt is capable of vertical lift off but the aircraft can lift more payload when rolling for a short amount (e.g. https://youtu.be/lu7ZUVXs6Ec?t=45s https://youtu.be/lu7ZUVXs6Ec?t=45s )
- pacaro 10y agoMy understanding is that vertical liftoff is mostly for show. Operationally it tends to be more STOL, the V is only there for when the mission parameters demand it, at the expense of the heinous fuel cost of (particularly) take off
- astrodust 10y agoIt's more like it can't lift off vertically with a full load of weapons and fuel, so you need to skimp on one of those two things to do the straight vertical takeoff. The Harrier works on the same principle.