At least one British F-35 will join US Marine Corps aircraft and participate in air shows this year.

The US Marine Corps revealed it plans on sending a pair of Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets to two air shows in Britain this summer. Some US Air Force F-35 jets will also take part in the events ina ddition to one British aircraft.

Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lieutenant General Jon Davis said:

“The U.S. Marine Corps is looking forward to demonstrating the capabilities of the F-35B Lightning II in the skies over the United Kingdom this July.”

It is understood that the joint US Marine Corps and UK detachment would “utilise the flights in order to validate foreign deployment activities and to prove program interoperability.”

This comes as the US Department of Defence has accepted its 45th F-35 delivery for 2015, meeting the production goal for the year. Lockheed Martin has delivered 154 operational aircraft to the US and partner nations since the programme was initiated.

Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Officer said:

“Meeting aircraft production goals is a critical stepping stone in demonstrating the program is ready for the expected significant production ramp up, it took thousands of people around the world to achieve this milestone and they should all be proud of what they accomplished.”

The 45 F-35 deliveries this year include:

•  26 F-35A – U.S. Air Force

•  2 F-35A – Royal Norwegian Air Force (first two)

•  1 F-35A – Aeronautica Militare (first Italian Air Force)

•  8 F-35B – U.S. Marine Corps

•  8 F-35C – 4 U.S. Navy /4 U.S. Marine Corps

The Ministry of Defence have clarified the details surrounding the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and their complement of F-35 aircraft, no doubt in response to the plethora of claims that the vessels will sail with “no aircraft”, “no crew”, no sandwiches in the galley etc.

The following is a direct quote from the MoD that explains the timetable for the UK’s carrier and F-35 projects and can be found here.

There has been speculation in the media that there has been a change in the delivery programme for the F-35B that may result in delays to the roll out of the UK’s Carrier Strike capability – and that, in an operational emergency, US jets may fly from the Carriers until the UK F-35 fleet is ready.

  • This is not the case. It was always the intention to take a phased approach to ordering F35.
  • We are fully committed to both the F35 and the Queen Elizabeth Carrier programmes -both of which are on track to enter initial maritime operating capability in December 2020 as planned.
  • We expect Queen Elizabeth carrier to commence sea trials in 2017, and have been clear that UK F35 aircraft will be used for first of class flying trials in 2018.
  • Our relationship with the US is mutually beneficial and we share a sense of common purpose. In 2012 we signed an agreement to enhance cooperation on carrier operations. Indeed, UK pilots have already flown from US ships in preparation for UK carrier operations.

Britain is expected to purchase 138 F-35B aircraft. In an interview with The Sunday Times, George Osborne said the investment will ensure the UK has the world’s second most potent carrier strike force after the United States, with the resources to tackle IS and other extremist groups for a generation.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Steven Pirrie
8 years ago

Tickets for RIAT will have to be booked!

Daniel Adams
8 years ago

Finaly

davetrousers
davetrousers
8 years ago

Heading not headed (that is an Americanism)

John Robinson
8 years ago

5 shows so far

Dave Stone
Dave Stone
8 years ago
Reply to  John Robinson

Really? which shows are they please?

Pete Herbert
8 years ago

Hmmm. Sure I heard this before.

UK Defence Journal
8 years ago
Reply to  Pete Herbert

Ok?

Carolyn Croot
8 years ago

Yea. As someone else said, I’ll believe it when I hear them on the scanner coming in to land!

UK Defence Journal
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

Luckily whether you believe it or not doesn’t matter.

Carolyn Croot
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

Not a very professional reply!They were bringing them over the other year & cancelled.

Daz Vallis
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

They cancelled the other year after a major fire grounded the fleet on safety grounds Carolyn things have moved on considerably with the F35 since then!

Carolyn Croot
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

Still not the sort of response I would expect from a so called media company. I only repeated views held by not only myself but others within the plane spotting community. If this is the groups admins opinion of their members then it stinks!

UK Defence Journal
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

We don’t call ourselves a media company nor are we a company. I apologise if my reply was abrupt but for the last month we’ve had all sorts of nonsense posted about this jet.

Carolyn Croot
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

Header says “UK Defence Journal. Media/News/Publishing”. “Media”, “Journal” & “Publishing” are usually a give away, if you are neither Media or a company please advise exactly what you are, because you obviously want people to believe you have some influence unless you are just copying other people’s posts & missing the credits off!

UK Defence Journal
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

Ah, so it doesn’t say company? Hmm, who are we copying off exactly?

Daz Vallis
8 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn Croot

Carolyn it seems like you’re being ultra defensive after being shown that your views on the F35 are outdated?

Tom O'Sullivan
8 years ago

Maddi Roberts Alex Wallis Banbury

Alex Wallis Banbury
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

Aren’t you 2 on Riat camp?

Tom O'Sullivan
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

Nope

Tom O'Sullivan
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

Well don’t know about maddie

Alex Wallis Banbury
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

Ah ffs

Alex Wallis Banbury
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

Come on tom

Alex Wallis Banbury
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

You said you wanted to do one, why not Riat

Tom O'Sullivan
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

I’m doing Lossiemouth

Alex Wallis Banbury
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

And? Come riat it’ll b bants

Tom O'Sullivan
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom O'Sullivan

Nah might still do odiham though

Maddi Roberts
8 years ago

Don’t know

Tom O'Sullivan
8 years ago
Reply to  Maddi Roberts

Why don’t you reply to the comment ffs

Dan Billington
8 years ago

They said this 2 years ago, and no show.

David L Thomas
8 years ago

Very capable models.

Chish
Chish
8 years ago

I read elsewhere on here the QE was embarking full crew in May this year, putting to sea in August and heading for Portsmouth in 2017. Given how the teams on the QE project seem to increase the speed of learning I suspect we may just see aircraft on the QE in 2017. I have personally never had a problem with those first aircraft being USMC F-35Bs. I mean so what? OK have a UK one in with them for show but what better than having a fully operational squadron of USMC F-35s pushing the RN crews hard. Air testing… Read more »

Mark Hand
8 years ago

RIAT have confirmed this

Chris Tack
8 years ago

Wait until you hear the noise it makes!

Carolyn Croot
8 years ago

RIAT confirmed two years ago!

Chish
Chish
8 years ago

Booked my tickets for RIAT…. Just two questions for those with better knowledge: We, the UK, are the only Tier One Partner in the F35 programme, put up £2.3 Billion development funding and buying 138 aircraft. So why have the Italians (who didn’t put any cash up front and are buying 90) been given the European Final Assembly plant and are now building 127 complete Italian and Dutch aircraft? One just flew over to the USA. And secondly why are the Italians also going to provide the European Heavy Maintenance Facility? I thought that was going to Marham? Seems to… Read more »