Article Posted on : - May 21, 2013

First F-35B Vertical Landing. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND (BNS): 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.

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.

Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company. It is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services.