UK to test the ability of F-35B Lightning II fighters to take off and land on highways
The UK plans to test the ability of fifth-generation F-35B fighters to use civilian infrastructure. To do this, the Royal Air Force will conduct tests in which aircraft will take off and land on public roads.
The Royal Air Force will send fourth-generation Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 fighters to Finland for the same purpose. But the tests involving the F-35B Lightning II will take place in the UK.
Demonstration flights involving Typhoon will take place in the coming months. Fifth-generation fighters will be able to take off and land on the highway in 2024. The operations plan is still under development. This was stated by Air Marshal Harvey Smyth.
A 1500-foot (~460-meter) section of the highway will be paved with AM-2 aluminum mats. This will allow fighters to make vertical landings without destroying the road with hot exhaust from the F135 jet engine. The powerplant in the vertical landing mode turns 90 degrees and looks down.
