March 12, 2006:
Testing of the STOVL (vertical take off and landing) version of the new F-35 has revealed that the heat from the F-35Bs engines will damage the aluminum matting used for rapidly constructed airfields. The F-35B engine heat won't damage the decks of current aircraft carriers, but the aluminum matting is toast, so to speak, and will have to be replaced with sturdier stuff. The F-35B is larger, and puts out more engine blast, than the current STOVL aircraft, the AV-8 Harrier.