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 The unique propulsion system that enables the STOVL variant of the Lockheed Martin JSF to hover and land vertically won the prestigious Collier Trophy for 2001. The award recognizes “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America,” specifically for “improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.” The Collier Trophy, which was established in 1911, is awarded by the National Aeronautic Association.
The team that developed the integrated shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce, under the leadership of the Department of Defense Joint Strike Fighter Program Office. “Lockheed Martin is proud to be part of this history-making team,” said Tom Burbage, executive vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. “The innovative lift fan propulsion system is the product of collaboration across a strong international team representing the world’s best engineering talent. We congratulate the entire integrated lift fan propulsion system team for winning this most important and prestigious award.”
 Lockheed Martin holds the patent on the heart of the propulsion system, the shaft-driven lift fan, that multiplies lifting force. The system was flown last summer in the JSF X-35B demonstrator. The aircraft achieved seventeen vertical takeoffs, fourteen short takeoffs, twenty-seven vertical landings, and five supersonic flights. The X-35B, enabled by this new technology propulsion system, became the first and only aircraft in history to perform a short takeoff, a level supersonic dash, and a vertical landing in a single flight.
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