BELOW: The first-of-class flying trials later this year will be used to initiate integration of the
28 F-35B with the new Queen Elizabeth-class ships. Crown Copyright
F-35 LIGHTNING II UK Lightning Force
predictable than traditional cat and trap
operations, arguably cancelling out the need
for fuel on demand in the pattern above
the carrier. Carrier on-board delivery is
another area that sees the potential for V-22
Osprey procurement occasionally rearing
its head. However, there remains no formal
UK programme of record. In a written
reply to a question in April 2017, Harriet
Baldwin MP, the then Parliamentary Under-
Secretary (Ministry of Defence), said: “The
Department is currently developing plans
for Maritime Intra Theatre Lift (MITL) based
upon in-service helicopters. The Strategic
Defence and Security Review 2020 process
will consider the defence requirement for
a medium- to long-term MITL solution.”UK operational test
No 17 TES stood up in 2014 at Edwards AFB
as the UK’s F-35 operational evaluation unit
and is now embedded within the F-35 Joint
Operational Test Team (JOTT). It is equipped
with three F-35Bs, all of which are ‘orange
wired’ with test instrumentation, whichmeans they will probably always remain
in the US and engaged in trials activity.
Cdr Ian Tidball is the commanding officer- an appointment that reflects the true joint
nature of the UK Lightning Force. “It’s a
real privilege to be selected to command an
RAF squadron,” he told this magazine in
his office at Edwards. “It shows that the UK
Lightning Force truly is a joint organisation.”
The ‘Black Knights’ have been keen to
build hours on their three jets in a bid to
expose any early issues. However, being
part of the JOTT brings with it the benefit
of shared data across the US Air Force,
US Marine Corps, US Navy and the Royal
Netherlands Air Force. While acknowledging
that the Lightning is still relatively
immature, Tidball says that the nature of
the programme means that experiences and
data are shared, which is a massive benefit.
Although the JOTT squadrons don’t
pool aircraft, they share their findings and
regularly fly alongside one another. “It’s
essential that we are tied in,” he said.
“There will always be some unique things
in certain areas that we look at separately,
but 90% of the activities we are fully
involved with. We are also tied in with the
development test team of the Integrated Test
Force [ITF] here at Edwards,” he added.
The squadron is involved in UK ‘mission
effectiveness testing’. Tidball said: “There
have been things that we’ve tweaked, and
sure there are a few growing pains, but
ultimately the F-35 is light years ahead and
it will be an extremely solid performer. It’s a
very software-driven platform, which helps
ensure that keeping the aeroplane ahead of
the threat is an easier task. To help ensure we
do that, we will stay in lockstep with the US.”
The immediate focus for the ‘Black Knights’
is on weapons testing. Development test
work on UK-specific weapons has been
completed by the ITF and operational testing
beckons. “We are taking a staged approach
to weapons evaluation,” explained Tidball.
“The squadron is currently engaged in ground
trials and verifying the documentation to load
the weapons both internally and externally.”
The advent of Block 3F software enables
the F-35 to carry weapons externally for the
first time. The initial load options for the UK
will see two AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAMs) carried
on the outer wing stations, two AIM-120
Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
(AMRAAMs) carried internally, plus up to six
Paveway IVs, two internally and up to four
hung under the wings. While ASRAAMs
will likely be seen fairly regularly under