Britain’s new supersonic ‘stealth’ strike fighters has touched down in the UK for the first time, ahead of its debut appearance at the Roya...
Britain’s new supersonic ‘stealth’ strike fighters has touched down in the UK for the first time, ahead of its debut appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Air Show over the next few weeks.
The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II jet was flown by RAF pilot Squadron Leader Hugh Nichols on its first transatlantic crossing, accompanied by two United States Marine Corps F-35B aircraft from their training base at Beaufort, South Carolina.
The flight also accomplished America’s first transatlantic flight in an F-35A Lightning II, with refueling support from a KC-10 Extender aerial refueling tanker.
The aircraft are due to enter service with the Royal Navy and RAF from 2018, eventually operating 138 of these short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft.
The Lightning II will be the backbone of Britain’s future carrier operations. As the first supersonic STOVL fighter jet, the F-35B will provide vital 5th Generation carrier-strike capabilities to the Royal Navy’s two new carriers – the HMS Queen Elizabeth (christened July 4, 2014) and HMS Prince of Wales.
These new Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers are designed specifically for integration with the F-35B aircraft, including a ski jump ramp for short takeoffs in place of the traditional catapult launch.
The F-35B also has the ability to operate from land bases and remote locations, providing versatility that will revolutionize the U.K.’s expeditionary combat power.
The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II jet was flown by RAF pilot Squadron Leader Hugh Nichols on its first transatlantic crossing, accompanied by two United States Marine Corps F-35B aircraft from their training base at Beaufort, South Carolina.
The flight also accomplished America’s first transatlantic flight in an F-35A Lightning II, with refueling support from a KC-10 Extender aerial refueling tanker.
The aircraft are due to enter service with the Royal Navy and RAF from 2018, eventually operating 138 of these short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft.
The Lightning II will be the backbone of Britain’s future carrier operations. As the first supersonic STOVL fighter jet, the F-35B will provide vital 5th Generation carrier-strike capabilities to the Royal Navy’s two new carriers – the HMS Queen Elizabeth (christened July 4, 2014) and HMS Prince of Wales.
These new Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers are designed specifically for integration with the F-35B aircraft, including a ski jump ramp for short takeoffs in place of the traditional catapult launch.
The F-35B also has the ability to operate from land bases and remote locations, providing versatility that will revolutionize the U.K.’s expeditionary combat power.
