Engines
Rolls-Royce LiftFan Adds STOVL Operations to F-35's Capability
The UK opted to partner with the U.S. in developing an STOVL-capable Joint Strike Fighter instead of developing a replacement for the Harrier.
BAE Systems has been using a "ski jump" test facility at the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River to evaluate the STVOL capability of the F-35B in anticipation of its aircraft carrier operations with the UK's Royal Navy. [Photo: Lockheed Martin]
BAE Systems has been using a "ski jump" test facility at the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River to evaluate the STVOL capability of the F-35B in anticipation of its aircraft carrier operations with the UK's Royal Navy. [Photo: Lockheed Martin]

Assuming its planned appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow goes ahead, the Lockheed Martin F-35 will be the most significant new military aircraft to be seen in the skies of southern England for many years. It has been a long wait for British eyes, the nation being the first overseas partner to sign up to the Joint Strike Fighter program, as it became. Britain joined following the signing of a government-to-government memorandum of understanding way back in 1995.


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