F-35 Performs Its First Vertical Landing


(YouTube Link)


The F-35, the next generation of vertical takeoff and landing jet fighter, developed by Lockheed-Martin, performed its first vertical landing yesterday:

Yesterday at 1 P.M., after descending from a 150-foot-high hover, the test plane touched down on the tarmac at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. This is a significant step forward for the F-35, as its vertical takeoff and landing capability are crucial to the fighter's role as a replacement for the aging Harrier jet.

The test began with a short runway takeoff at 93 miles per hour, after which the pilot swung around, positioned the plane over the runway, and lowered it down. The test pilot, a former Royal Air Force aviator with experience piloting VSTOL planes, said he found landing the F-35 vertically far easier than landing older planes, like the Harrier, the same way.


http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-03/f-35-completes-first-success-fully-vertical-landing

83 million and its the loudest attack aircraft in the arsenal. Pretty cool until its in your backyard. Who the hell are we fighting that we still need beasts like these? Whatever, just keep these hovering albatroses out of Tucson! Its bad enough with the F-16s and A-10s!
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Hey cool!!!! By the way, my kid is on the verge of going to school only 4 days a week due to severe cutbacks for education. But I sure am glad my country has money for hovering jet fighters. BRB Gotta file my taxes.. God Bless America
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terrabyte:

I haven't done any research on this new jet, but the Harrier has crashed many times and I'd guess that this is an improved, safer version.
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terrabyte: I worked on the Harrier HUD in 1970, that's 40 years to come up with a plane that does the same thing. And I would hope in 40 years they could make something that was easier to fly. The Harrier impressed me, this is just more of the same.
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I love how many negative comments are on this post. This is astonishing to me. It may be even more astonishing that others aren't impressed. The science behind something like this is awesome.
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Ah come on people! Yes the harrier can do it too, so what?? people were able to run 200,000 years ago, and we're still watching the olympic games.

What's more, this aircraft can do a hell of a lot more than a harrier (like supersonic flight, for one), it's not just "a plane that hovers".

By the way if you don't like planes that hover, there are two other versions that don't, so be happy!

@otterly:
Stop bitching, this is the product of the JSF program, which means it is funded by the USA, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, Australia, Denmark and Canada.
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Well, money wise, a Vtol's flexibility could reduce the need for more aircraft and support for those aircraft. They can operate closer to the front lines without an airbase and 10,000 foot runway, which has to be built, guarded and cleaned.

If we have to apply force, it should be quick and overwhelming.
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