Jump Jets 5 comments

Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) jets are fighter/bomber aircraft that can literally jump up and take off. The aircraft do not need landing strips. They can take off and land in meadows, parking lots and on flat roofs of buildings if need be. They can also operate from ships with limited deck space. These jets are in a class of their own and their versatility gives military commanders a completely new array of options.

The jump jets operate by vectoring thrust from their engines downward by changing the direction of the jet nozzles. Once the jet is high enough above the ground the nozzles are vectored towards the rear and the jet starts moving forward. Vertical take offs use immense amounts of fuel, therefore many of the jets take a running start to gain momentum before vectoring the nozzles completely downward.

In modern times there have, and will be, three main jump jets. The British Harrier, the Soviet/Russian Yakolev-38 and the still in the testing stage United States F-35 Lightning II. The Harrier has been retired from British service but still operates with the U.S. Marine Corps, the Italian, Spanish and Indian navies. The Yak-38 made its first flight in 1971 and was retired in 1991. The F-35B is expected to enter service with the U.S. Marines in 2014-15.