// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
CTOL
CTOL stands for Conventional Take-Off and Landing, referring to aircraft that require a traditional, long runway to accelerate for takeoff and decelerate for landing. Most commercial and military fixed-wing aircraft operate under CTOL principles.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
CTOL, or Conventional Take-Off and Landing, describes aircraft operations requiring extensive runway lengths for both ascent and descent, a key characteristic distinguishing them from STOVL, V/STOL, or CATOBAR systems in military aviation and aircraft design. It defines the operational envelope and infrastructure demands for most fixed-wing aircraft.
BACKGROUND
The United States Armed Forces uses a wide variety of military aircraft across the respective aviation arms of its various service branches. The numbers of specific aircraft listed in the following entries are estimates from published sources and may not be exhaustive.
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- Conventional aircraft
- Runway-dependent aircraft
- Fixed-wing CTOL
USAGE NOTE
CTOL is commonly used to categorize aircraft based on their operational requirements and to differentiate them from those capable of vertical or short take-offs and landings, especially in military procurement and base planning.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to CTOL.
A global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company that develops and manufactures a wide range of CTOL military aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II (CTOL variant), F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130 Hercules, and C-5 Galaxy.
A major division of Boeing that produces military CTOL aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Super Hornet, P-8 Poseidon, and various transport and tanker aircraft like the KC-46 Pegasus.
A global aerospace and defense technology company known for developing advanced CTOL platforms, including strategic bombers like the B-2 Spirit and the B-21 Raider, as well as reconnaissance aircraft such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk.
The defense division of Airbus, a major European player in military aviation. It co-produces the Eurofighter Typhoon and develops transport aircraft like the A400M Atlas and C295.
A French aerospace company that designs and builds military aircraft, notably the Rafale multirole fighter, which is operated in its CTOL configuration by multiple air forces globally.
A Swedish aerospace and defense company that develops advanced military aircraft, including the JAS 39 Gripen, a multirole fighter designed for conventional take-off and landing operations with excellent short-field performance.
An Italian global high-technology company in Aerospace, Defence and Security. It contributes to various CTOL platforms, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, and produces aircraft like the M-346 Master advanced trainer and the C-27J Spartan tactical transport.
A British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company involved in the development and production of CTOL military aircraft, including a significant role in the Eurofighter Typhoon program and next-generation combat air systems like Tempest.