The UK has taken delivery of its 14th F-35B Lightning II which flew into Beaufort, South Carolina, US, last week, set to operate from Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and RAF Marham.
Operated by both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, the F-35 will be capable of operating on the brand-new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers from land.
This delivery demonstrates the advancement towards the establishment of the UK’s Carrier Enabled Power Projection capability.
UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “This Christmas delivery is the 14th jet to join our fleet of fifth-generation F-35 fighters over in the US. The carriers have taken centre-stage this year, and next year we look towards these aircraft joining us in Britain and taking off from HMS Queen Elizabeth’s enormous deck to undertake First of Class Flight Trials.
“With our famous Royal Air Force coming into its 100th anniversary, the F-35 keeps us right at the cutting-edge of combat air power.”
Currently, there are 200 British personnel based at Beaufort, where they are testing the aircraft and preparing them to arrive in the UK.
The programme is on track to achieve Initial Operating Capability from land next year with Initial Operating Capability Carrier Strike in 2020.
In addition to its short take-off and vertical landing capability, the F-35B’s combination of stealth, cutting-edge radar, sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems brings all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter.
The aircraft, along with the Navy and RAF pilots and ground crew, will arrive in the UK and stand at RAF Marham in Norfolk, this being the Main Operating Base for the Lightening Force in the UK.
