What prevents the F-35 from doing vertical take off and being a VTOL jet? Is it just a weight issue? I mean... let's say the jet takes off with very little fuel and then refuels in flight soon after take off. I would think that would save enough pounds to allow vertical takeoff. No?
Another Question: Reading Wikipedia they talk about the F-35B doing vertical takeoffs. If the jet can already do vertical take-offs; why is it not already classified as VTOL?
i'd bet that it could do an "airshow" vertical takeoff but operationally it would have to carry too little fuel to be effective. the same applies to the AV-8B Harrier. it can do vertical takeoff for airshows but the missions require a short take off.
my only thing is i've never seen, heard or read about the F-35 doing a vertical takeoff...ever. i recall the X-32 getting that done but never the F-35.
Yes, the vertical take off was the FIRST flight of the X-35B. They figured if it could take off vertically, landing was easy. A still from that flight was my screen wallpaper for years.
The production F-35B would be a show stopper. With an empty weight of 32,300 lbs and and thrust of just over 40,000 lbs,it could easily take off vertically with half of its internal fuel (13,500 / 2 = 6,750 lbs). It could hover and pirouette for a l-o-o-o-ng time with that much fuel. As a practical matter, that means the B can vertically land while bringing back unused ordnance
The X-32 did not have as much fuel margin between empty weight and thrust, since its thrust system had the much same vertical shortcomings as the Harrier.
What prevents the F-35 from doing vertical take off and being a VTOL jet? Is it just a weight issue? I mean... let's say the jet takes off with very little fuel and then refuels in flight soon after take off. I would think that would save enough pounds to allow vertical takeoff. No?
ReplyDeleteAnother Question:
Reading Wikipedia they talk about the F-35B doing vertical takeoffs. If the jet can already do vertical take-offs; why is it not already classified as VTOL?
i'd bet that it could do an "airshow" vertical takeoff but operationally it would have to carry too little fuel to be effective. the same applies to the AV-8B Harrier. it can do vertical takeoff for airshows but the missions require a short take off.
Deletemy only thing is i've never seen, heard or read about the F-35 doing a vertical takeoff...ever. i recall the X-32 getting that done but never the F-35.
Do you mean the X-35??
DeleteI have seen the X-35 do a V-Takeoff, but not the X-32.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBckWTrV-xo
Yes, the vertical take off was the FIRST flight of the X-35B. They figured if it could take off vertically, landing was easy. A still from that flight was my screen wallpaper for years.
DeleteThe production F-35B would be a show stopper. With an empty weight of 32,300 lbs and and thrust of just over 40,000 lbs,it could easily take off vertically with half of its internal fuel (13,500 / 2 = 6,750 lbs). It could hover and pirouette for a l-o-o-o-ng time with that much fuel. As a practical matter, that means the B can vertically land while bringing back unused ordnance
The X-32 did not have as much fuel margin between empty weight and thrust, since its thrust system had the much same vertical shortcomings as the Harrier.