Article Posted on : - Apr 22, 2011

The F-35B STOVL variant

PATUXENT RIVER (BNS): US Marine has successfully tested the first flight of F-35B test aircraft BF-4 in short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) mode.

The test was done by test pilot Lt. Col. Fred "Tinman" Schenk over the Atlantic test range near Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

The flight marks growing maturity of STOVL flight with the third F-35B aircraft at NAS Patuxent River performing STOVL test missions. BF-4 is also the only mission systems test aircraft flying Block 1.0 software to fly in STOVL mode.

The F-35B STOVL variant and F-35C carrier variant are undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.