Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, successfully demonstrated the capabilities of its unique LiftSystem™ technology with the first vertical landing of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II aircraft. The successful flight test took place yesterday, Thursday 18 March, at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland landing at 1.21pm Eastern Daylight Time (5.21pm GMT). The LiftSystem is the technology that enables short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) operations for F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Dan Korte, Rolls-Royce, President - Defence, said: “Rolls-Royce is proud of the role it plays in the F-35 program, bringing innovative STOVL technology through the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem®. The success of this first vertical landing marks a significant accomplishment for the program and demonstrates the unique capabilities for which the LiftSystem was designed: smooth transition from forward flight to vertical landing mode. “Rolls-Royce is a pioneer in the area of vertical lift propulsion system technology, first with the unique Harrier jump-jet and now with its next generation, through the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The LiftSystem is a major advance in aerospace technology that will play a key part in the history’s largest fighter aircraft program”, he said. The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem comprises a LiftFan™, Variable Area Vanebox Nozzle (VAVBN), 3 Bearing Swivel Module (3BSM) and Roll Posts. Orders for the LiftSystem are expected to total over 600, with leading customers including the US Marine Corps, The UK Armed Forces and the Italian Navy. The F-35B variant is expected to remain in service well after 2050.