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UK Lightning Force and the Marine Corps to
come together for an air wing work-up at the
end of 2020, ahead of the joint deployment.
The UK hasn’t operated a large-deck aircraft
carrier since 1978. However, the STOVL
F-35B leverages corporate knowledge from
Joint Force Harrier. “The F-35 is simple
to operate,” he said. “In the Harrier you
had to keep your wits about you.” Godfrey
explained that the ‘cat and trap’ operations
of the US Navy are a “whole different
ball game”, and that much of the F-35
work around the carrier can be effectively
rehearsed in the simulator. “We will be
taking four full-mission simulators aboard
the carrier, so four pilots can train together
in a synthetic environment, keeping the
boxes ticked in terms of qualifications and
mitigating the usual skill fade that we’ve
seen in the past during deployments.”
Ultimately, the UK expects to operate the
two carriers for the next 50 years. There are
so many elements of that journey, and the
2021 deployment will be just the first phase.
F-35Bs will be working up to flying shipboard
rolling vertical landings (SRVL) to enhance
‘bring-back’. Aircraft may fly from the carrier
in a ‘night one’ stealthy configuration, the
next day slapping on pylons and external
stores in a close air support (CAS) fit.
There is still talk about the possibility of
an organic tanker aircraft. However, the
F-35B’s operating procedures mean
getting aboard the carrier is far moreABOVE: On July 1, 2016, two of the visiting F-35Bs ew over the shipyard in Rosyth and the
HMS ‘Queen Elizabeth’. Crown Copyright
LEF T: It isn’t the rst time F-35Bs have been in the UK. Three examples were present for
various airshows in the summer of 2016, as well as ypasts including this event with a Marham-
based Tornado GR4. Crown Copyright/Cpl Paul Oldfield
BELOW: By 2023 the UK aims to have two squadrons of F-35Bs available to run concurrent
operations. At this point around 24 jets will be available to No 617 Squadron and 809 NAS.
Crown Copyright