September 22, 2023, 9:02 pm
Norway has become the first country to demonstrate the ability of the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A Joint Strike Fighter to operate from a highway. This initiative was undertaken in Finland as part of an exercise.
Utilizing suitable roadways provides air forces with valuable alternative operating locations in case their primary bases are compromised or rendered unusable. It also enables them to easily disperse aircraft, thereby reducing vulnerability. This tactic can prove invaluable in terms of complicating the enemy’s targeting strategies and overall war planning.
The U.S. Marine Corps had previously demonstrated the use of its F-35Bs, capable of short and vertical takeoff and landing, in a similar manner.
Major General Rolf Folland, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, said in a press release,
"This is a milestone, not only for the Norwegian Air Force, but also for the Nordic countries and for NATO. This demonstrates our ability to execute a concept of dispersal. Fighter jets are vulnerable on the ground, so by being able to use small airfields – and now motorways – [we can] increase our survivability in war."
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes why Norwegian F-35A fighter operating from a road in Finland is a crucial undertaking ?
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▶️ Narration by Scott Leffler (scottleffler.com)
🎵 Background Music courtesy of incompetech.com
"Giant Wyrm" Kevin MacLeod (Licensed under Creative Commons)
Content Creator – Defense Updates
