Message posted by Ron Milione on March 20, 2010 at 6:55:13 PST:
The first Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II demonstrated its short takeoff, and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, during a series of test flights conducted over the test center at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. On March 18, 2010. These tests were a significant milestone leading in the verification of the aircraft STOVL capability, considered critical for future marine corps and international users. A first flight on that day verified the aircraft hovering capability with a follow-on mission completing vertical landing on the 95 foot pad. In the hovering test the F-35B confirmed predictions of the jet’s vertical thrust, stability and control in hovering flight.
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