820 Naval Air Squadron have embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth with their Merlins to support her forthcoming F-35B flight trials.

According to the Royal Navy, extensive trials over the next four-month period will take place off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States with a view to developing the operating envelope – the parameters for safe operations – of the F-35.

820 NAS has been working with HMS Queen Elizabeth since the day she sailed, conducting the first deck landing last year and in February they embarked to support her helicopter trials.

The Commanding Officer of 820 NAS, Cdr Chris Knowles, who took command of the squadron in July, said:

“It’s a really exciting time for 820 squadron and for me personally. To take command of a squadron on the brink of a career defining deployment, with great people, all of whom are keen, professional and very much looking forward to getting on with their job at sea.

We’ve been cycling all crews through a thorough pre-deployment training package to make sure everyone is current and qualified to go. Our force protection role will be key to the ship at sea, as will our SAR capability, we’re ready and able to provide whatever support Queen Elizabeth needs.”

Merlin Force Commander, Cdr Mike Currie added:

“The embarkation of 820 NAS, and other members of her Air Group, represents another significant date in the development of HMS Queen Elizabeth and her capabilities.

The Squadron’s focus since the completion of the first deck landing last year has been very much centred around the First of Class Flying Trials with F-35B. The Eastern Seaboard deployment represents an exciting opportunity for the Squadron’s aircrew and maintainers to fully experience life on-board this amazing Ship.

It’s why people join the Royal Navy and I’m hugely jealous. To get to this stage the Squadron have spent time honing their skills both to meet the rigours of the embarkation and to prepare for any other emergent activity. This is the first of many such deployments for 820 NAS, in the longer term the Merlin Mk2 will also deliver the Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance capability to QEC.”

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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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Steve M
Steve M
5 years ago

Is this the full unit strength or just the 3 Merlins shown? Just interested, not a comment on numbers or anything.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve M

Hmm yes good question. With only 30 to go round 3 operational squadrons and the OCU we are hardly blessed with numbers anyway. What a surprise. What is the establishment strength 9 Cabs?

Lusty
Lusty
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve M

Not too sure, but I believe 3 ‘Commando’ HC4’s will be on QE soon.

David E Flandry
David E Flandry
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve M

Supposedly there are to be 4-5 AEW Merlins, and 9-10 ASW Merlins in normal configuration. Probably will not be that many in the trip to the US though.

Helions
Helions
5 years ago

Look a bit lost in that hanger don’t they?

Cheers!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Better than being cramped! 😉

Julian
Julian
5 years ago

Yes, but at some point they need to do cramped, or at least maximum realistically planned operating capacity which I suspect will verge on cramped. I suppose that’s where embarking some USMC airframes is going to come in handy to work up the full-capacity operating procedures. Not for this phase of the trials though, that is yet to come I am sure. Really happy to see her moving towards this next critical milestone of first F-35B tests though. We’ll get to see that ski jump in action for the first time :).

Julian
Julian
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

Test. Getting frustrated, I can’t seem to ever get emoticons to work. I’ve tried both “: )” and “: – )” and neither seem to come out as emoticons, they just come out as 🙂 or 🙂 .

Julian
Julian
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

WTF – both versions came out perfectly that time. I think maybe not putting the space between an emoticon and a full stop must be the issue. Oh well, now I know. Sorry about the distraction. As you were 🙂 .

Steve M
Steve M
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

I must admit I chuckled at this. Sorry Julian 🙂

Helions
Helions
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

It’s almost Friday isn’t it Julian?

😀

dadsarmy
dadsarmy
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

Ah, maybe what you need if it works is this 😎

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

🙂

Harry Skinters
Harry Skinters
5 years ago

😉

dadsarmy
dadsarmy
5 years ago

Ach gwan I’ll be nice to Julian:

https://www.alt-codes.net/smiley_alt_codes.php

Ouch, that’s the SAC Security Police at the door … 🐖

David Taylor
David Taylor
5 years ago

Clubs is going to love all that space.

Shame we couldn’t afford brand new cabs for Crowsnest.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  David Taylor

Where are the 8 HM1’s not upgraded for HM2?

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
5 years ago

I heard at a discussion at RIAT that they were in storage. No reason they could not be dusted off and refurbished. The airframes probably would then still have thousands of flying hours left in them.
Cheaper than purchasing new ?

David Stephen
David Stephen
5 years ago

Cannibalized as part of the HM2 upgrade I believe. At least to the point where they are no longer viable for upgrade themselves.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  David Stephen

Tragic.

Gunbuster
Gunbuster
5 years ago
Reply to  David Taylor

PMSL

Helions
Helions
5 years ago

A bit OT but relevant IMO… Does the this article about the challenges facing the Japanese home grown defense industry remind you about the same in another island nation we are familiar with?

https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/2018/08/15/japans-defense-industry-continues-to-grow-but-is-it-in-for-rough-seas/

Cheers!

Chris J
Chris J
5 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Interesting read, thanks helions!

Paul T
Paul T
5 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Helions – yes another interesting article thanks,just wonder how soon Japan will become a major player (if at all) in the Arms export game ?

Helions
Helions
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul T

Hi Paul, It’s going to take a while to spool them up. Particularly since Japan Inc. has so little experience in the arena. The first major attempt was the unsuccessful offer of the Soryu class SSKs to the RAN. Japanese defense products are of the highest quality but designed with only the needs of the JSDF in mind. The Japanese will have to prove that they can be adapted for the customer without major cost increases. This IMO will be the first major sale abroad. I really wish the USN would look at these. They are an excellent way to… Read more »

Lee H
Lee H
5 years ago

Evening all
3 cabs is plenty to provide watch keeper station for FJ air moves.
This is not a full capability exercise but FJ trials off the island.
Majority of 820 crew will go to give them experience of sitting off the carrier whilst air movements are taking place, expect to see lots of aircrew recovery exercises taking place.
Don’t worry about the numbers of helicopters, look at the capability maturing…..on time and to plan. Not something you normally associate with the MoD ?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Lee H

Lee. Where have you been? Sure I’ve not read your posts for many months.

Lee H
Lee H
5 years ago

Hi Daniele
Very busy last couple of months, reading the blog with great interest but just haven’t had time to respond.
Good to see you and Gunbuster keeping everyone sane, always amusing to read some of the interesting arguments WRT numbers of platforms and the want to be everywhere all at the same time.
T31e has kicked off again, £250m will be tight but manageable.
??

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Lee H

Cheers Lee glad you are still around, even if only lurking.

dadsarmy
dadsarmy
5 years ago

4 months. Mmm. So does that mean mid-Dec rather than Oct for the first F35-B landing / take-off?

I hope it’s by the end of this year or my name will be mud in places where I’ve had to defend the “Aircraft carrier with no aircraft” madness. And yes I know the Merlins are aircraft.

Tony617
Tony617
5 years ago

QE is sailing tomorrow, Saturday 19 August, at 6 pm

Tony617
Tony617
5 years ago

Typo – that’s 18 August!