Since the introduction of the Harrier jump jet in the late 1960s, the UK has been focused on the potential of VTOL or vertical takeoff and Landing ᴀɪʀᴄʀᴀꜰᴛ. There has long been a strong desire on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in the Americas and Europe to develop a ꜰɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ capable of such a feat.
Around 1954, experimental designs were proposed for vertically Rising Fighters by the American Aerospace company Lockheed Martin.
Finally the F-35 ꜰɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ was developed as a single seat single-engine stealth combat ᴀɪʀᴄʀᴀꜰᴛ as a result of a multi-country joint program.
The F-35B is a variant of the F-35 capable of providing long-range supersonic speeds and can take off and land in very close and confined areas including in austere environments. Discover more in video below:
