Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
This led to the first VTOL engines as used in the first British
VTOL aircraft, theShort SC.1(1957) which used 4 vertical lift
engines with a horizontal one for forward thrust.
Their main advantage is their V/STOL (Vertical and/or Short Take-Off and
Landing) capability which allows the Harrier to fly from short rough-field
strips near to the front-line to provide rapid close air support (CAS) and
hence the ability to operate away from conventional paved runways and
airfields which may be attacked preventing conventional non V/STOL
aircraft from operating.
Other advantages of it's V/STOL capabilities are the ability when in flight
to vector the engine nozzles to perform movements without changes in
orientation or profile of the aircraft which can confuse an opponent during
ACM (air combat manoeuvring).
This also allows the pilot to reverse the engines causing a rapid
deceleration causing a pursuing aircraft to overshoot the Harrier, giving
the Harrier pilot the chance to take the initiative during ACM.