UK Takes Another Step Towards F-35B Future

The squadron which will train future pilots of the highly advanced F-35B Lightning jets has been announced.

207 Squadron will train Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots to fly the fifth generation aircraft at RAF Marham.

As part of the F-35B programme, ten jets have been delivered out of a total order of 138 aircraft.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:

"The squadron has a proud and distinguished history, not only as an RAF squadron but as one of the earliest squadrons of the Royal Naval Air Service.

"Preparations for the arrival of the first UK Lightnings next year are progressing well.

"As the home of the UK Lightning Force the station will be at the heart of UK airpower for decades to come."

Admiral Sir Philip Jones First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff said:

"207 Squadron will play an important part in the future of both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy."

"HMS Queen Elizabeth is the first carrier in the world designed from the outset to operate a fifth generation combat aircraft.

"Crucially, a second ship - HMS Prince of Wales - is on its way, which will give the UK a continuous Carrier Strike capability."

New infrastructure being built at RAF Marham includes vertical landing pads, improved runways and new technical and training facilities.

The first F-35s will arrive at the Norfolk base next summer, when the RAF and Royal Navy pilots currently training in the United States, will return as 617 Squadron, the Dambusters.

The Lightning OCU will stand up as 207 Squadron on 1 July 2019.

The F-35B is one of the most advanced aircraft ever built for the British armed forces, with flight trials from HMS Queen Elizabeth starting next year.

The F-35B has a lift fan behind the cockpit which gives the aircraft short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to fly from an aircraft carrier and hover like a Harrier.

Long-term, the aim is for the UK to have operational Carrier Strike Capability by 2020 using the Queen Elizabeth class carriers.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest and most powerful ship ever built for the Royal Navy and is currently performing sea trials in the North Sea.

Along with along with HMS Prince of Wales, the 280-metre, 65,000-tonne vessel is the first of two new carriers being built, since HMS Ark Royal was scrapped in 2010.