New F35 jump jets (which can apparently do VTO as we ll as L)
Up to a point, Lord Copper...
Technically, the F-35B is the STOVL variant - Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing - rather than V/STOL. Yes, vertical take-offs can be done on the F-35, but in practice, it somewhat limits the fuel and ordnance load you can take off with, and the USMC found that when operating from austere forward bases, the jet efflux from the F-35B was wrecking tarmac and concrete, so they had to develop a heat-resistant landing mat.
To illustrate why, check out this video of F-35B operations, and note how the deck of the USMC flat-top glows red-hot as the plane touches down.
https://youtu.be/Eiop4hrBJO4?t=3m05sThe Fleet Air Arm are looking to use a rolling vertical landing technique in order to allow them to recover to the carrier with a greater load of unexpended fuel and ordnance, while reducing wear and tear on the engine/lift system and the carrier flight deck.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SRVLdue in RAF Marnham next week
RAF
Marham, if you please.