Advanced US Fighter Jet Begins First Overseas Deployment In UK

F-35A Lightning II aircraft have begun training at RAF Lakenheath, in a first-ever overseas training deployment for the American fifth generation joint strike fighter.

They have been training alongside the fourth generation F-15, which are based in Suffolk.

The F-35As belong to the US Air Force, and have come from Utah, the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing and the Air Force Reserve’s 466th Fighter Squadron.

Over the next few weeks they will conduct air operations with the Royal Air Force and other European aircraft.

The fighter aircraft are at RAF Lakenheath training with British and other NATO forces as part of the European Reassurance Initiative.

The F-35A is the American member of the F35 family, and British forces have the 'B' variant on order.

But how do they compare?

There’s a number of similarities between the F35s - the world's most advanced multi-role fighters.

They both have advanced stealth that allows pilots to go undetected in areas where previous planes would have been picked up on radar systems.

They can conduct air to air combat, air to ground strikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – all from one cockpit.

They do have some key differences – mainly in how they get on and off the ground.

The UK’s F-35B has short take off – vertical landing (STOVL) capability. However, the trade off for this feature means it has a smaller weapon bay and less internal fuel capacity.

It is designed to operate from small air bases and aircraft carriers close to frontline combat zones.

The F-35A has conventional take off and landing (CTOL), and a larger operating range as they can carry more fuel.

Both F-35 variations will be working side by side as the 'B' is due to be on board the Queen Elizabeth class carriers next year.

The US Air Force also plans to have two squadrons using the F-35A based in the UK from 2021.