View source for Shipborne rolling vertical landing

{{Short description|Method of aircraft landing}}
[[File:HMS Queen Elizabeth on DT-2.jpg|thumb|Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft landing onboard HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' in 2018]]

'''Shipborne rolling vertical landing''' ('''SRVL''') is a method used to land a [[V/STOL]] aircraft that uses both the vertical [[thrust]] from the jet engine and [[lift (force)|lift]] from the wings.

A V/STOL aircraft normally either lands vertically or it makes a conventional runway landing. For a vertical landing it uses downward thrust from the [[Lift jet|lift fan]] and/or rotated [[Propelling nozzle|jet nozzle(s)]], while for a runway landing the jet nozzle(s) are pointed rearward. With a rolling vertical landing the aircraft uses downward jet thrust to hover while it is still moving fast enough to also generate wing lift. This allows for a rolling landing with a significantly reduced approach speed and landing distance, requirements not necessary on [[CATOBAR|Catapult-assisted take-off barrier-arrested recovery]] (CATOBAR) carriers.

With an SRVL manoeuvre, a V/STOL aircraft can make a rolling landing on an [[aircraft carrier]] and come to an effective stop with the [[disc brakes]] in the [[landing gear]]. Unlike a rolling landing on a CATOBAR carrier, this does not require the use of an [[Arresting gear|arrestor wire]] and [[tailhook]]. The operational advantage of this technique is that it can increase the landing payload capacity of a V/STOL aircraft, which can be restricted when it lands vertically. For vertical landing, Harriers need to dump unused fuel and unused munitions to drop below the permissible payload capacity for safe landing. 

The SRVL manoeuvre can also reduce the level of wear on the lift engines and extend their operational life. Similarly, it can reduce the amount of wear upon the deck surface of a carrier caused by the downward jet exhaust from vertical landings.

==History==
===Harrier===
[[File:VAAC Harrier (27864714292).jpg|thumb|VAAC Harrier]]
An SRVL development program was undertaken with by the UK defence manufacturer, [[Qinetiq]] for the planned JSF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/qinetiq-led-team-demonstrates-carrier-landing-system-for-319734/ |title=Qinetiq-led team demonstrates carrier landing system for JSF |website= flightglobal.com |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref> In 2007 the company used the Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced Control (VAAC) [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier]] test aircraft to demonstrate the feasibility of the landing technique on the [[French Navy]] carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/jetartaviationltd/videos/2543378362544388/ |title=VAAC Harrier 2007 - World's First SRVL (Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing) |date=12 December 2019 |publisher=Jet Art Aviation Ltd |access-date=12 December 2019 }}</ref> A series of landing approach trials were also flown with the [[Royal Navy]] carrier {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}} in 2008. The carrier was fitted with a visual landing aid called a “Bedford Array”, which provides glidepath information to the pilot through a helmet-mounted display.

===Osprey===
In October 2015, the [[United States Navy|US Navy]]'s [[Naval Air Systems Command]] (NAVAIR) tested rolling landings and takeoffs with the [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey]] [[tiltrotor]] on a carrier, preparing for [[carrier onboard delivery]].<ref name=aw2015-11-12>{{cite web|url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/v-22-testing-could-lead-higher-takeoff-weights |title=V-22 Osprey Testing Could Lead To Higher Takeoff Weights |author=Tony Osborne |date= 12 November 2015 |work=[[Aviation Week]]}}</ref>

===F-35B Lightning II===
[[File:Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft land on the flight deck of USS America. (30650055226).jpg|thumb|right|The F-35B will use SRVL landings with the Royal Navy]]

SRVL landing is under development for use with the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35B|Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lockheed-gets-funds-for-uk-f-35-landing-modification-348294/ |title=Lockheed gets funds for UK F-35 landing modification |website= flightglobal.com |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref> The aircraft will operate in the [[STOVL]] mode on the first of the new {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|1}}s. Rolling landings will enable the F-35B to land on these carriers with an increased weapon and fuel load and will use the aircraft's computer controlled disc brakes. On the weekend of 13/14 October 2018, the Royal Navy announced that British test pilot Peter Wilson made history when he conducted the first-ever shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) with a F-35 Lightning in test aircraft BF-04 onto {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2018/october/15/181015-f35-revolutionary-landing |title=F-35 pilot makes history with revolutionary method of landing jets on HMS Queen Elizabeth |date=15 October 2018 |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=15 October 2018 }}</ref> Her [[sister ship]], {{HMS|Prince of Wales|R09|6}}, is equipped with the full 'Bedford Array' Visual Landing Aid system. By taking inputs from inertial references to stabilise against deck motions, combined with a ship-referenced velocity vector in a helmet-mounted display, a pilot can fly an accurate approach to the deck on a constant glidepath.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Types of take-off and landing}}

[[Category:Types of take-off and landing]]