F-35s carry out night landings on HMS Queen Elizabeth
The first night landings on HMS Queen Elizabeth have been carried out by four F-35 Lightning jets in UK waters.
Operational training being carried out in the North Sea is underway to enable 207 Squadron to achieve essential carrier flying and Landing Signals Officer supervisory qualifications.
The exercise builds on successful trials completed on last year’s WESTLANT 19 Carrier Strike Group deployment off the East Coast of the USA.
HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are designed to operate the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing F-35B. The UK will declare Initial Operating Capability for Carrier Strike by the end of 2020. The UK currently owns 18 aircraft, with an additional order placed for 30 jets.
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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
EuroDASS partners unveil details on next-gen EW system for Eurofighter Typhoon
The consortium has given details on the next-generation of sensing and jamming capabilities on the Eurofighter Typhoon without needing to update the airframe, according to the group’s partners.
-
Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
-
US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.