03 Jun 2008
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F-35B Short Take-off and Vertical Landing
F-35B STOVL variant is one of the most complex aircraft ever built.
The F-35B Short Take-off and Vertical Landing variant is the cutting edge of fighter technology. The first flight of this amazing aircraft took place in Fort Worth on June 11 with BAE Systems test pilot Graham Tomlinson at the controls.
The STOVL variant is one of the most complex aircraft ever built and BAE Systems, with its long STOVL heritage has been at the forefront, with partner companies in the F-35 programme in the design, development and manufacture of the aircraft.
Requiring only about 500 feet for takeoff and having the ability to accelerate to supersonic speeds in level flight and return to austere bases or ships by landing vertically, the F-35B offers a combination of capabilities never before seen in a multi-role fighter. Using radar-evading stealth, rugged expeditionary features, a large weapons payload and the ability to operate from bases near the front lines, the F-35B provides rapid response and battlefield persistence in support of ground forces.
- Video - Going vertical (2.4mb-BAE Systems)
- Video - F-35B STOVL Ground testing (6.6mb-credit Lockheed Martin)
- Video - F-35B STOVL first flight Fort Worth, Texas (4.0mb-credit Lockheed Martin)
- Video - First flight comments from the Pilot - (1.7mb-credit Lockheed Martin)
- F-35B STOVL image gallery
