Top 10: The Top Vertical Take-off Military Aircraft

Traditional runways pose a tactical disadvantage for military aircraft, limiting mobility and exposing jets to potential threats. Operating from aircraft carriers adds another layer of complexity, as pilots must manage limited deck space on a constantly moving platform. This has driven engineers to explore vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) designs, which aim to combine the agility of helicopters with jet performance. Achieving this, however, is extremely challenging, and only a few aircraft have successfully entered service.

10: VFW VAK 191B

The VFW VAK 191B was West Germanys entry in NATOs search for a supersonic VTOL strike aircraft. Powered by a Rolls-Royce/MAN Turbo RB.193 engine and two lift jets, it featured an internal weapons bay. After NATO scrapped the requirement, the project continued as a research effort but was ultimately canceled in 1972.

Its main advantage was the simple propulsion design, combining vectored thrust with lift engines, giving it a sleeker profile than the Harrier. Drawbacks included low thrust-to-weight ratio, a small wing, poor maneuverability, and challenging wing-borne landings. Although it flew successfully, further development would have been required for operational use.

9: Ryan X-13 Vertijet

The Ryan X-13, nicknamed The Pentagon Easychair, experimented with the tail-sitter concept. Equipped with a Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet, it demonstrated vertical take-off by resting on its tail. Despite a notable flight to the Pentagon, the aircraft was never adopted, as the military saw limited need for its capabilities.

8: Lockheed XV-4 Hummingbird

Designed for the US Army as a target-spotting VTOL, the XV-4 Hummingbird used vectored thrust through multiple nozzles. Its ejector-augmentor system aimed to boost lift but failed to provide sufficient thrust. The prototypes were prone to crashes, and the design offered little practical payload or operational use. The XV-4B attempted improvements with additional lift jets, but the concept remained largely unsuccessful.

7: Yakovlev Yak-38 Forger

The Soviet Yak-38 served as an interim VTOL strike aircraft. Entering service from 1976 to 1991, it saw combat in the SovietAfghan War. Using two lift engines and a vectored-thrust cruise engine, the Yak-38 featured an automatic ejection seat for safety during lift-engine failures. Despite limitations in range and payload, it was one of only three VTOL jets to reach operational status.

6: Ryan XV-5A Vertifan

The Ryan XV-5A explored lift-fan technology for vertical flight. Its innovative fan-in-wing system generated significant lift but proved complex to control, particularly during transitions. Low-speed handling and acceleration were problematic, and multiple crashes during testing highlighted its risks. While the concept influenced modern designs like the F-35B, the aircraft itself was operationally impractical.

5: EWR VJ 101

Developed collaboratively by Heinkel, Messerschmitt, and Blkow, the six-engine VJ 101 employed tip-mounted and nose-mounted lift engines for VTOL control. Despite reaching Mach 1.14 and demonstrating an advanced thrust-control system, issues with afterburners causing ground erosion and ingestion problems limited its potential. The project remained experimental and never entered service.

4: Dornier Do 31

The Do 31 was Germanys large VTOL transport, intended to support forward-operating bases. While technically impressive, it was unnecessary operationally, as simpler short-takeoff aircraft like the Fiat G.222 could fulfill the same role more efficiently. The Do 31 highlighted the gap between ambitious engineering and practical military needs.

3: Yakovlev Yak-141 Series

The Yak-141 featured a swiveling rear nozzle for thrust vectoring and reached speeds of Mach 1.4. It required afterburners for vertical take-off, generating extreme noise and risks of hot air ingestion. The program ended in 1991 due to economic constraints, but it represented a significant step toward advanced VTOL fighters, serving as a precursor to potential stealth variants like the Yak-201.

2: Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II

The F-35B is the STOVL variant of the F-35 family and the first supersonic VTOL jet to enter service. Its Rolls-Royce Integrated Lift Fan Propulsion System combines a shaft-driven lift fan with a swiveling nozzle, enabling vertical take-off and landing. Adopted by the US Marine Corps, UK, Italy, and others, the F-35B offers advanced stealth, sensors, and pilot interface technology, though with a reduced internal fuel capacity compared to conventional F-35 variants.

1: Harrier

The Harrier was the pioneering operational VTOL strike fighter, earning the nickname jump jet. Its success relied on a simple propulsion system with four vectoring nozzles, avoiding the need for additional lift engines or specialized pads. Entering RAF service in 1969, the Harrier proved versatile and low-risk, later giving way to the improved Harrier II in the 1980s, which continues to serve in multiple nations today.

Author: Logan Reeves