For all plane buffs. I don't know how old this is, but I am informed it was made about 6 weeks ago, so it's anyone's guess, but I think it's pretty cool anyway which is why I posted.
Amazing to think that 30 years ago this month, the Hawker Siddeley Harrier had it's very first taste of real combat, and apart from the US Marines version, the F35B is pretty much the first alternative STOVL plane designed and manufactured since then.
There seems to be a lot of controversy surrounding this plane which has attracted a lot of criticism, but I would have to say the STOVL concept immediately proved it's worth first run out 30 years ago against hostile modern (and superior powered) jets and I have no reason to think that this fighter won't be a similar valuable asset in future 'conventional' warfare.
One question. The testing appears to support a flat deck takeoff, but as it is running without stores, will the F35B eventually be able to do this fully loaded, or will it need a ski ramp?
F-35B
Amazing to think that 30 years ago this month, the Hawker Siddeley Harrier had it's very first taste of real combat, and apart from the US Marines version, the F35B is pretty much the first alternative STOVL plane designed and manufactured since then.
There seems to be a lot of controversy surrounding this plane which has attracted a lot of criticism, but I would have to say the STOVL concept immediately proved it's worth first run out 30 years ago against hostile modern (and superior powered) jets and I have no reason to think that this fighter won't be a similar valuable asset in future 'conventional' warfare.
One question. The testing appears to support a flat deck takeoff, but as it is running without stores, will the F35B eventually be able to do this fully loaded, or will it need a ski ramp?
F-35B