Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL Jet Demonstrates Hover and Short Takeoff Capability

Lockheed Martin ^

[Raymann]

The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter demonstrated the capability to hover today during a test flight at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The flight was a significant test mission leading up to the aircraft’s first vertical landing. It confirmed predictions of the jet’s vertical thrust, stability and control in hovering flight. Today’s flight began with a conventional takeoff before F-35 lead STOVL Pilot Graham Tomlinson initiated conversion to STOVL mode at 200 knots airspeed. He then slowed the aircraft to 60 knots and flew a decelerating approach to a zero airspeed hover at 150 feet above the runway. This marked the first free air hover in the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. Upon reaching zero airspeed, the pilot executed test points to confirm the controllability of the aircraft in the hover. After completing all hover test points, the pilot executed a STOVL landing at 70 knots airspeed. Later in the day, BF-1 performed the first F-35 short takeoff. Matching performance predictions, the F-35B accelerated down the runway in STOVL mode and lifted off at 100 knots using less than 1000 feet of runway. Today’s successful tests are the latest steps in demonstrating the F-35B’s ability to conduct operations from small ships and unprepared fields, enabling expeditionary operations around the globe. (Photos by Andy Wolfe, Lockheed Martin)

[CodeToad]

It would be interesting to know how much fuel it consumes to hover versus the Harrier.

[kbennkc]

This amazing aircraft is needed for the same reasons as the Osprey . Inter-service rivalry stroking .

[Wildbill22]

Harrier technology is over 40 years old!
F-35B will be quite an aircraft, stealthy, supersonic, amazing AESA radar. They both can hover, that much they have in common.

[GL of Sector 2814]

I'm not sure about the fuel cost of hovering as such, but it has a combat radius of 610 nautical miles on internal fuel, while the Harrier only has a combat radius of 300 miles.

[Halgr]

Suggest FRiends go to the link and view the videos.

[SJSAMPLE]

Yep.
The lift fan with supportive active thrust is new, but the performance limitations are still there. Especially compared to the A and C models.

[GonzoGOP]

I'm not sure about the fuel cost of hovering as such,

My brother works down at Pax River (on the FA-18) but from what he has been told the fan makes the hovering of the F-35 much more efficient than the pure jet system on the AV-8. On the down side it adds cost, weight and complexity. It appears that the laws of aerodynamics, unlike the laws of the House of Representatives, don't let you get anything for free.