VL, STO = no hook nor catapult

[LadyStanley]

New F-35 in Sea trials on USS Wasp.

Vertical landing eliminates hook. Short take off eliminates catapult. Two of the most dangerous things on a carrier.

Click to read more...

 

[Nurmagomedov]

Also eliminates a lot of range and payload capacity. But yes, this thing will make the marine core a lot more deadly. Too bad the price is that the air force and navy have to make do with a compromised design due to the lift fan.

 

[LadyStanley]

You'd prefer the UK Harrier?

 

[Nurmagomedov]

You'd prefer the UK Harrier?

I would have preferred the Marines get a purpose built STOVL plane and the Navy/Air force get a purpose built non-STOVL plane. That is if we accept that the Navy's Army needs its own Air Force. Which it really doesn't.