Yes the USA bought the British Sea Harrier. They bought it and improved it! Just like nonpilot stated there is benefits from having a STOVL aircraft like the F-35B. Now we have an aircraft that is a versatile asset. Stealth, speed of a fighter, STOVL plus its was designed in the USA. The United States Marines are planing on buying them. Some countries will have access to the F-35B. I am a firm believer that the countries that will have access to the F-35B should buy them for there Airforce, not just the Navy. This is especially true for the USAF! Why waste an asset, that the oppositional forces will know that we do not need a large airports to support it.