Footage Shows F-35B Fighter Jet Hovering In The Air
Pilots recently performed a test using a B-model fighter jet at the Fort Worth, Texas F-35 factory. Video footage shows the F-35B hovering in the air, similar to how a helicopter remains in one place off the ground.
As part of the F-35 program, pilots recently performed a test using a B-model fighter jet at manufacturer, Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas factory. Video footage shows the F-35B hovering in the air, similar to how a helicopter remains in one place off the ground.
A 3-Bearing Swivel Module and Rolls Royce ‘LiftFan’ give the jet the hovering capabilities and also allow for takeoffs that appear near-vertical.
According to Lockheed Martin, the LiftSystem is the first to permit Short Take Off and Vertical Landing operations for a supersonic jet. The LiftFan is installed horizontally behind the cockpit.
When the jet switches into hover mode, a pair of doors open and two fans that counter rotate blow approximately 20,000 pounds of unheated air downwards.
That produces about 50 percent of the downward thrust required for a pure hover and the 3-Bearing Swivel Module or 3BSM provides most of the remaining vertical thrust needed.
In just over 2 seconds, the 3BSM rotates ninety-five degrees down, allowing it to control 18,000 pounds of heated thrust from the F-35B’s engine exhaust.
In addition to that, two roll posts from under the jet’s wings each provide up to 2,000 pounds of downward thrust taken from engine air flow.
Lockheed Martin notes the hovering ability provides “the unique ability to operate from a variety of ships, roads and austere bases near frontline combat zones.”
As part of the F-35 program, pilots recently performed a test using a B-model fighter jet at manufacturer, Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas factory. Video footage shows the F-35B hovering in the air, similar to how a helicopter remains in one place off the ground.
A 3-Bearing Swivel Module and Rolls Royce ‘LiftFan’ give the jet the hovering capabilities and also allow for takeoffs that appear near-vertical.
According to Lockheed Martin, the LiftSystem is the first to permit Short Take Off and Vertical Landing operations for a supersonic jet. The LiftFan is installed horizontally behind the cockpit.
When the jet switches into hover mode, a pair of doors open and two fans that counter rotate blow approximately 20,000 pounds of unheated air downwards.
That produces about 50 percent of the downward thrust required for a pure hover and the 3-Bearing Swivel Module or 3BSM provides most of the remaining vertical thrust needed.
In just over 2 seconds, the 3BSM rotates ninety-five degrees down, allowing it to control 18,000 pounds of heated thrust from the F-35B’s engine exhaust.
In addition to that, two roll posts from under the jet’s wings each provide up to 2,000 pounds of downward thrust taken from engine air flow.
Lockheed Martin notes the hovering ability provides “the unique ability to operate from a variety of ships, roads and austere bases near frontline combat zones.”