The vertical stabilizer is a vertical airfoil that gives directional stability to the aircraft. The vertical stabilizer holds the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder, and connects to the empennage.

The vertical stabilizer has three machined spars, thirteen ribs and extrusion stringers. The top of the primary structure has a machined, canted-tip rib. The ribs, spars and canted-tip rib are made of aluminum alloy plate.

The front, middle and rear spars of the vertical stabilizer are attached to the three canted frames of the empennage/tail.

Pivot-type attachment fittings attached to the rear spar and canted-tip rib supply the attach points for the horizontal stabilizer. Additional attachment fittings on the canted-tip rib have attachment points for the horizontal stabilizer-trim actuator (HSTA). The vertical stabilizer has supports for the two power control units (PCUs) for the rudder. Four hinges, installed on the rear spar, have attachment points for the rudder.

Four hinge fittings are attached to the rear spar. These fittings are the attachment points for the rudder. They are made of aluminum alloy plate. The pivot fittings are attached to the top aft edge of the canted-tip rib. These fittings are the attachment points for the HSTA. They are made of titanium alloy plate.

The ram air fairing makes an aerodynamic interface between the top of the fuselage and the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. The ram air fairing is made of laminated Kevlar. The ram air fairing has a duct that supplies ram air to the air-conditioning system.

The leading edge gives protection to the front spar of the vertical stabilizer and makes an aerodynamic contour for the airflow. The leading edge cap is made of clad aluminum alloy. The LH and RH access panels are made of laminated Kevlar. The HF antenna is made from the leading edge cap and the laminated ram air skin.

There are four access panels on the left side of the vertical stabilizer and five on the right side. They give access for inspection, replacement and adjustment of the flight control components. The access panels are made of aluminum alloy.

The vertical-stabilizer bullet fairings give protection to components in the top of the vertical stabilizer and make an aerodynamic contour for the airflow. The bullet fairings have the components that follow:

• Upper bullet fairing
• LH and RH lower bullet fairings
• Forward bullet fairing
• Aft bullet fairing
• Aft cone
• Forward bullet fairing panel
• LH and RH forward access-panels.

The upper bullet fairing covers and protects the area above the horizontal stabilizer between the front and rear spars of the vertical stabilizer. Removal of the fairing gives access to the top of the vertical stabilizer. The upper bullet fairing is made of laminated Kevlar, and supplies the satellite antenna function. The lower bullet fairings are made of laminated Kevlar and cover the hinge fitting for the horizontal stabilizer. The aft bullet fairing and aft cone are made of laminated graphite and attach to the aft support frame.

The forward bullet fairing panel is made of aluminum alloy and is attached to the forward support frame. The LH and RH forward access-panels are made of laminated honeycomb-type graphite. They give access to the HSTA.