Existing comment:
Lockheed Martin X-35B Joint Strike Fighter
The Joint Strike Fighter is a stealthy, supersonic, multirole fighter. Three versions are planned. The conventional takeoff and landing variant, designed for the U.S. Air Force, will be built in the highest quantities. The U.S. Navy's carrier variant features larger wing and control surfaces, additional wingtip ailerons, and a special structure to absorb punishing catapult launches and arrested landings. The short takeoff/vertical landing version has a unique shaft-driven, lift-fan propulsion system that enables the aircraft to take off from a very short runway or small aircraft carrier and land vertically.
This first X-35 built was modified to include a lift-fan engine. It was the first aircraft in history to achieve a short takeoff, level supersonic dash, and vertical landing in a single flight, and the first to fly using a shaft-driven, lift-fan propulsion system. |