Stuffy
The X32B used the Harrier/Pegasus concept of pure jet lift. The X35B used the shaft driven fan. They both used the same basic engine.
The better propulsive efficiency of any fan versus a pure jet meant that the same powerplant in the 35 was going to produce about a 25% increase in hover thrust compared to the 32. While the 35 had to carry extra weight in order to use the fan this did not anywhere near cancel out such a huge advantage. Additionally the 32 system for keeping the hot exhaust away from the intake when hovering close to the ground was weak compared to the solution with the 35 which proved to be excellent.
The 32 had much going for it in respect of being able to vector all installed thrust in combat and of course in reduced mechanical complexity but this was not in the end sufficient to compensate for the performance and recirculation issues.
Forget Switzerland please it is not relevant to the discussion going on here.
Last edited by John Farley; 9th Jun 2013 at 22:08.