Multi-national F-35
rig in which 165 hydraulic actuators
replicate the loads the aircraft would
experience in flight. The data from the test
is captured by 4,000 sensors bonded to the
airframe. The test rig has approximately 53
miles of wiring spread around it to connect
all the systems and sensors. Each phase of
testing, lasting 8,000 hours is equal to the
airframe’s entire lifetime. Two phases have
been completed and the third is in process.The F-35 in the UK service
The UK had its first view of the F-35 when
six arrived at RAF Fairford for the 2016
Royal International Air Tattoo. These were
three F-35As, two Marine Corps F-35Bs
and a single RAF F-35B serialled ZM137.
Though they were based and appeared at
Fairford Air Tattoo they were also
demonstrated at the Farnborough Air
Show.
The UK Government has confirmed
orders for 138 F-35Bs, with 23 of them to
be available for carrier duties by 2023.
Squadron 17(R) which was established on
February 2015 is acting as the Operational
Evaluation Unit, based Edward Air Force
Base in the USA. No 617 Squadron formed
of both RAF and RN personnel will be
established in January 2018 flying from
Marham and the Navy’s new aircraft
carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The second
squadron will be No. 809 Naval Air
Squadron also formed from RAF/RN
personnel will be formed in 2023. As the
F-35Bs will be able to operate from land
bases as well as the Queen Elizabeth Class
carriers, it will give UK a truly flexible joint
expeditionary Combat Air capability well
into the 2030s. The RAF is the lead service
for the operation of Lightning 2 but the
Joint Lightning 2 Force will be manned by
both RAF and RN personnel. In addition
to 617 and 809 Naval Air Squadron there
will be two more squadrons formed
leaving a large number of aircraft for
attrition replacements. ■On 1 July 2016, a
USMC and a RAF
F-35B flew over
HMS Queen Elizabeth
being built at Rosyth.
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