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F-35 Makes Its First Appearance In London

The British engineering and expertise that's helped develop F-35 B Lightning II aircraft has been celebrated in London.

Politicians, industry and military personnel came to the Institute of Engineering and Technology to see what the next generation of aircraft will look like.

The F35 may be an American airframe, but when it is delivered to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force later this year, inside will be a host of British developed kit including the ejector seat.

Our reporter Ali Gibson spoke to Harrison Smith from Martin Baker UK – to see how they are matching the seat with the latest in Virtual Reality:

The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson also tried his hand at flying and landing the brand-new F-35 fighter jet - via a simulator.

He practiced landing and taking off from the nation’s flagship to be, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

After flying the jet demonstrator, Mr Williamson said:

“These pioneering stealth jets will protect British lives as we face intensifying and evolving threats at home and abroad.

“The F-35 is the most advanced and dynamic fighter aircraft in our history, and will defend this country from terrorists, collect crucial intelligence, and safeguard our national interests from those who seek to do us harm.”

Gavin Williamson F-35 Simulator — The Defence Secretary was guided through his flight by two of the UK’s F-35 pilots, Squadron Leader Andy Edgell and Lieutenant Commander Adam Hogg.

The pair are currently in the process of putting the aircraft through its paces in the US.

The UK currently has 14 F-35s based in the US, operated by around 150 UK personnel.

These aircraft will arrive in the UK later this year at RAF Marham, and initial flight trials will take place from the UK’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in autumn off the coast of the US.

During his visit to the cockpit demonstrator, the Defence Secretary also met with representatives from some of the 500 UK companies who are in the F-35 supply chain.

The F35 programme is American led, but UK industry will provide approximately 15% of each F-35 to be built and the government has said that, with more than 3,000 aircraft projected, the programme will support 20,000 UK jobs over its 30-year production phase.

Operated jointly by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, the F-35 Lightning jets will fly from the UK’s new aircraft carriers as well as land bases.