Harrier

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier was the revolutionary result of decades of research into vertical takeoff and landing jet aircraft. Its Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine uses four rotating nozzles to vector thrust from horizontal flight to vertical lift. The Harrier proved its worth spectacularly during the 1982 Falklands War, where Sea Harriers achieved a 20-0 kill ratio in air combat. The aircraft could operate from small clearings, ships, and improvised forward bases without conventional runways. The concept was further developed into the AV-8B Harrier II and influenced the Lockheed Martin F-35B.