First bombs dropped by F-35 jets launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth

The first bombs have been dropped from F-35 jets conducting trials on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, say the Royal Navy, say the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy say in a release, the inert GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided precision bombs were dropped off the east coast of the USA. Adding the 500lb bombs to the jets for take-off has enabled the trials teams to see how the jets behave when carrying various weights, gathering crucial test data.

The jets onboard are two two F-35 test aircraft, belonging to the Integrated Test Force (ITF). The jets are expected to conduct 500 take offs and landings during their 11-week period at sea.

“It is the first time the American-made bombs have ever been embarked in a UK ship. They are made up of a head, containing the bomb’s computer, the tail and a concrete warhead. As they are test bombs, they carry no explosives.

They are being built onboard by Royal Navy air engineers, supervised by specialist US Navy ordnance ratings from the US aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, further demonstrating the close co-operation between the two key allied nations.”

Commander Neil Mathieson, the head of the air engineering department on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, said:

“This marks a significant milestone for us. It makes me excited about operational trials next year with the UK’s F-35 Lightning squadrons when we will see live Paveways being dropped. These trials are an important pathway to that point.”

The highly mechanised weapons handling system aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth is perhaps one of the most complex systems aboard, moving palletised munitions around the vessel to connect the magazines, hangar and flight deck.

Babcock Integrated Technology director Matt Hatson commented on the system:

“The HMWHS is the first maritime application of shore-based commercial warehousing processes using automated systems with all-electric control, adapted for safe transport and stowage of munitions in a warship environment.

Munitions can be delivered, in bulk, to the point of use at rates that could not be achieved manually, whilst minimising the manpower requirement in what is traditionally a labour-intensive process, thus delivering reduced through-life cost, as well as a saving in onboard living accommodation requirements.”

The HMWHS moves palletised munitions from the magazines and weapon preparation areas, along track ways and via several lifts, forward and aft or port and starboard.

HMS Queen Elizabeth left her home port of Portsmouth in August, crossing the Atlantic to conduct the flying trials as well as training with the US Navy. More than 1,400 sailors, flight crew and Royal Marines have been working on board the carrier during her deployment.

The deployment, known as ‘WESTLANT 18’, was the first-time HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed across the Atlantic. As well as the vital deck trials, the Royal Navy say it will also involve exercises to prove the ability to operate with other nations’ maritime and aviation assets, as well as the landing of Royal Marines and their equipment ashore in the United States, to conduct training with their US counterparts.