The UK will test the ability of fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighters to take off and land on motorways

The UK plans to test the ability of fifth-generation F-35B fighter jets to use civilian infrastructure. For this purpose, the Royal Air Force will conduct tests in which the aircraft will take off and land on a public road.

Here's What We Know

The Royal Air Force will send fourth-generation Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets to Finland for the same purpose. But the tests involving the F-35B Lightning II will take place on the territory of the UK.

Demonstration flights involving Typhoon will take place in the coming months. The fifth-generation fighters will have the capability to take off and land on the motorway in 2024. A plan for the operations is in the pipeline. This was announced by Air Marshal Harvey Smyth (Harvey Smyth).

A 1,500 feet (~460 metres) section of the highway will be paved with AM-2 aluminium mats. This will allow the fighters to make a vertical landing without destroying the road with the hot exhaust of the F135 jet engine. The propulsion system in vertical landing mode turns 90 degrees and looks down.

Source: Aviation Week