The first operational deployment for HMS Queen Elizabeth 617 Squadron and a squadron of US Marine Corps F-35 Lightning jets is due to take place in 2021.
For the first time, Royal Navy & RAF pilots have landed UK F-35 Lightning jets on HMS Queen Elizabeth to commence trials over the coming weeks.
The F-35 Lightning jets are embarking in the 65,000-tonne carrier to conduct operational trials off the East Coast of the USA.
This follows successful developmentalntrials last year with US Lightning jets, where forces conducted 500 takeoffsnand landings over their 11-week period at sea.
According to the RAF news release, these trials are aimed at ‘end-to-end’ testing of the aircraft and personnel to ensure the aircraft are compatible with the carrier. The tests involve mission planning, arming the aircraft using the ship’s Highly Automated Weapon Handling System, flying missions, and debriefing on completion.
The landings on HMS Queen Elizabeth arenpart of the ‘WESTLANT 19’ Carrier Strike Group deployment. Once fully operational, the UK Carrier Strike Group will be a formidable force around the world, using a number of platforms to work alongside the country’s allies.
During this time, the aircraft carrier will be escorted by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon, submarine hunter HMSnNorthumberland, tanker RFA Tideforce and Merlins from 814, 820, and 845 NavalnAir Squadrons, Wildcats from 815 Squadron and Royal Marines from LimanCompany, 42 Commando.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also added:n“The bringing together of the UK Lightnings on the first in class HMS QueennElizabeth paves the way for the world’s most up to date, fully integratedncarrier force.”
The Lightning aircraft operates with ancutting-edge design. It is the first jet to combine radar-evading stealthntechnology with supersonic speed, as well as the ability to land vertically. Given its ability to conduct missions both from land and sea, the jets act as anformidable spine to the ‘carrier strike’ capability. The UK currently owns 18naircraft, with an additional order placed for 30 jets.
First, to land on board, Wing CommandernAdam Curd, Royal Air Force, said: “This is the first time I have landed onboardnan aircraft carrier – for it to be HMS Queen Elizabeth, and in an aircraft asnamazing as a UK Lightning, is quite something.”
Wing Commander Adam Curd, Royal Air Force, added: “This is a proud moment not only for me but the wider team that has brought us to this milestone for maritime aviation and UK Defence”.
The trials will be led by the joint RoyalnNavy – Royal Air Force 17 Test and Evaluation Squadron from the Air WarfarenCentre. The Squadron will be operating alongside personnel and aircraft from the UK Lightning Force, based out of RAF Marham.
Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff for Aviation and Carrier Strike, Rear Admiral Martin Connell, Royal Navy, said:
“Embarking UK Lightning jets on HMS QueennElizabeth for the very first time is a major milestone for Royal Navy and RoyalnAir Force aviation and for our development of the 5th generation Carrier StrikenGroup capability.
“Once again, the support from our US Navy and US Marine Corps colleagues in the United States has been incredible and undoubtedly helped bring us to this moment: making maritime aviation history”.
Air Officer Commanding Number 1 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth, Royal Air Force, added: “Bringing our own Lightning onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time gives us the opportunity to conduct critical operational testing. With the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force operating so closely together, these are incredibly exciting times for embarked Combat Air.”
The UK will declare Initial Operating Capability for Carrier Strike by the end of 2020. The first operational deployment for HMS Queen Elizabeth 617 Squadron and a squadron of US Marine Corps Lightning jets is due to take place in 2021.
Commander of the Strike Group, CommodorenMike Utley, Royal Navy said: “Getting to this point of embarking UK Lightningnjets into our British-built carrier has been a significant joint undertaking by industry and military – both ours and those from the United States.
“We will take the jets from the successful developmental phase we achieved last year through to a more operational footing, so we are confident that the jets, the carrier, and our destroyers and frigates will function seamlessly together.”
Photo by Crown Copyright
