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VTOL airplane
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Abbreviation:
of Vertical Takeoff And Landing Airplane
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VTOL airplane
VTOL airplane British Royal Air Force Harrier GR7a VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) airplane at the July 17, 2006, Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, Gloucestershire, England.

VTOL airplane

aircraft
Also known as: vertical takeoff and landing airplane
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Taiwan looking to buy 292 VTOL drones • Oct. 18, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (Taipei Times)

VTOL airplane, any of several unconventional aircraft with rotating wing systems, such as the helicopter and autogiro. They may also have rotatable jet systems capable of vertical lift-off and landing in areas that only slightly exceed the overall dimensions of the aircraft.

The first operational VTOL jet aircraft was the British Royal Air Force Harrier; its jet engines are mounted horizontally, with their blast deflected downward to effect vertical thrust for takeoff. It achieved high subsonic speeds in level flight.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.