Only the F-35"B" variant has this, if I remember correctly. The F-35A doesn't.

A is normal takeoff/landing

B is vertical takeoff/landing

C is carrier takeoff/landing

Specifically C is for takeoff/landing on CATOBAR (Catapult-assisted take-off barrier-arrested recovery) carriers. All nations other than the US buy the B variant for their carrier forces as they don't have catapult carriers (or can't/aren't interested in the F-35).

> All nations other than the US buy the B variant for their carrier forces as they don't have catapult carriers (or can't/aren't interested in the F-35).

France has CATOBAR on Charles de Gaulle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_aircraft_carrier_Charle...

While they won't buy F35 this can matter for joint operations.

> As of July 2021, Charles de Gaulle was the only non-American carrier-vessel that had a catapult launch system, which has allowed for operation of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and C-2 Greyhounds of the United States Navy.

Similarly Rafale M (for "Marine" a.k.a French navy) is CATOBAR and cleared for U.S. carriers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Rafale#Variants

> Similar to Rafale C, but with modifications to allow operations from CATOBAR - equipped aircraft carriers. For carrier operations, the M model has a strengthened airframe, longer nose gear leg to provide a more nose-up attitude, larger tailhook between the engines, and a built-in boarding ladder. Consequently, the Rafale M weighs about 500 kg (1,100 lb) more than the Rafale C. It is the only non-US fighter type cleared to operate from the decks of US carriers, using catapults and their arresting gear, as demonstrated in 2008 when six Rafales from Flottille 12F integrated into the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Air Wing interoperability exercise.

In addition to what the others have said, the F-35B is more properly a STOVL aircraft: Short Take Off, Vertical Landing. It can't take off vertically with a useful combat load.

this version doesn't have vertical take off.

Also, in my understanding, B variant doesn't have vertical take off too, it has short take off and vertical landing. It can do vertical take off, but burns too much fuel that way for any useful mission.

The A variant of the F35 doesn’t have vertical takeoff.

F-35B is the VTOL variant.

Even the F-35B doesn't actually do vertical takeoff in practice (though it's capable of doing so IIRC), it does vertical landing and short take-off. Going straight up uses a LOT of fuel.

It can do vertical takeoff for demonstration or very short ferries but cannot carry a combat loadout.

You also have a lot more weight at takeoff (fuel and weapons)

Also going straight up is a much higher risk operation than having some forward speed. The timeframe to eject in case of a problem is very very short when you're "hovering" while with forward speed the jet has much more stability buying you time.

Helicopters also tend to take off with forward speed if conditions permit. Not because of ejection options (they don't have them), but because of energy available and options in case of an engine failure. Forward speed is "energy in the bank" which you can use if (one of) your engine(s) quits.