[Strategerist]

They should take a close look at the Harrier

First thing you see and it doesn't take a close look is the extraordinary Harrier accident rate. Also, I believe they're long out of production.

[SJSAMPLE]

I was referring to the Harrier in an entirely negative context. I don't think it came out that way ;)

[Tallguy]

The F-35 does not use the same vectored thrust system as the Harrier. Instead it uses a ducted fan system to produce thrust in the vertical. My understanding is that the Harriers crash rate had a lot to do with unbalanced thrust vectoring and the fatal roll that this created on landing.

BTW, The unsuccessful Boeing JSF candidate, did use a vectored thrust system similar to the Harrier's.