RVLs and all that...
Not a Boffin....
The people working on this are very much aware of the need to have a solution that works when you are:
doing that in sh1tty weather on a slick deck in the dark
That's why having a decent set of brakes (twin redundant with advanced anti-skid), good grippy tyres and good steering is so important and that's why JSF has them. Plus a very decent flight control system (means you hit the landing spot to get max braking distance) and some fairly awesome night pilotage devices (look up the DAS and the HMD capabilities). Oh, and the jet may be able to PNB.
RVLs won't be straightforward - but they are potentially a great way to exploit the aircraft's inherent capabilities to meet demands that are well outside its STOVL KPPs. And that is what the UK are asking for.
Mr John Farley, any thoughts?
Regards
Engines