The Drive reports that “Norway has become the first country to demonstrate the ability of the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A Joint Strike Fighter to operate from a highway as part of an exercise in Finland.” Maj. Gen. Rolf Folland, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, said in a press release, “This is a milestone, not only for the Norwegian Air Force, but also for the Nordic countries and for NATO. … This demonstrates our ability to execute a concept of dispersal. Fighter jets are vulnerable on the ground, so by being able to use small airfields – and now motorways – [we can] increase our survivability in war.” Norway’s F-35As “have been training to conduct highway operations in Finland this week as part of the latest iteration of that country’s annual Baana road base exercise, which kicked off on Monday.”
Full Story (The Drive)
Tag: Takeoff and Landing
Electra. Aero Debuts ‘Ultra’-Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstrator
Aerospace America reports that Electra.aero debuted its Goldfinch two-seat hybrid-electric demonstrator which the company hopes will put “it on the path toward completing a nine-passenger commercial version in time to enter service in 2028.” Electra Founder and CEO John Langford said the commercial version of the aircraft will be able to “get in and out of the Wall Street heliport and have a range of 500 miles with its full payload.” Langford said that Electra will only need 150 feet of runway to take off or land in most circumstances, and never more than 300 feet. MIT Aeronautics Professor John Hansman will pilot the Goldfinch on its first flight from Manassas Regional Airport in a few weeks, where Electra is based. Electra has “planned hundreds of test flights from Manassas and other locations.”
Full Story (Aerospace America)