F-35B Completes First Vertical Takeoff
F-35B Completes First Vertical Takeoff

F-35B Completes First Vertical Takeoff – May 21, 2013– Pantuxent, USA  (Techreleased) – A Lockheed Martin F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) Lightning II test aircraft recently completed the first-ever Vertical Takeoff (VTO) on May 10.

F-35B Completes First Vertical Takeoff
F-35B Completes First Vertical Takeoff

F-35B Aircraft VTO

VTOs are one of the many capabilities required for the fielding an F-35B aircraft.  While not a combat capability, VTOs are required for repositioning of the STOVL in environments where a jet could not perform a short takeoff.  In these cases, the jet, with a limited amount of fuel, would execute a VTO to travel a short distance.