Back in June last year, the US Navy tested the F-35 using a "ski-jump" pad at Patuxent River (Pax River for all those Tom Clancy readers) for the first time. This is certainly an impressive way to launch a lot of capability into the air in a very short time. Note how the jet pipe at the rear turns more downward just after launch. Am I the only one who can imagine the pilot humming the theme to The Thunderbirds during this test?
