RAF
Video Released Of UK And US Military Testing Lightning II Jets
A video has been released of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel at sea onboard USS WASP, joining American colleagues in the latest F-35B Lightning II fast jet trials.
Evidence and experience gained from the testing will provide the basis for future F-35B deployments, as the US Marine Corps work towards their Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in summer 2015.
UK F-35B pilots, meanwhile, will begin operating the next generation stealth fighter from bases in England starting in 2018, and are on track to fly from Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers in 2020.
“United Kingdom participation in the F-35 program has been absolutely critical to our success,” said US Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, program executive officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office.
“Since the beginning, UK test pilots and engineers have been fully integrated and work shoulder to shoulder with us as we deliver the F-35 to the warfighter.”
Video courtesy of the United States Marine Corp.
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