First F-35 JSF vertical landing completed for British Royal air force
NewsJune 05, 2013
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD. A F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) from Lockheed Martin made the first vertical landing for the British Roal air force.
“The F-35 has truly revolutionised STOVL flying,” says Squadron Leader Jim Schofield, pilot on the flight. “With legacy types, such as Harrier, the pilot was always working hard to land the aircraft onto a hover pad or ship. Now with F-35B, at the press of a button the aircraft transforms into ‘short take-off or vertical landing’ mode whereupon the aircraft can take off or hover hands-off. This means pilots will require less training and operating the aircraft will be much safer than legacy types. It’s a fantastic aircraft to fly.”
U.S. Marine Corps officials plan to declare Initial Operational Capability with the STOVL in 2015.
