Quote:
Originally Posted by Hack&Lube
Why is the F35 STOVL instead of VTOL? (moot as Canada is getting the kind that sucks and can't do this anyway).
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VTOL imposes significant payload and range penalties because you can takeoff with only a fraction of a full load (unless the F-35 is radically better at it)...Harriers are typically used in a STOVL mission profile, despite being capable of VTOL., in order to carry a useful payload.
For example, according to wikipedia’s F-35 page: "However the aircraft is able to "bring back" 2 x 1K JDAM, 2 x AIM-120 and reserve fuel to a vertical landing.” If we assume similar or slightly greater takeoff weight, that’s still not a lot of munitions on board when doing a vertical takeoff.