Video shows F-35B jets from 617 Squadron landing on aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The video was recorded on the 2nd of May 2021.
The F-35B Fighter Jets operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth will soon join Operation Shader in the fight against Daesh, you can read more about that here.
According to ther Ministry of Defence:
“F-35B Lightning fast jets will be the cutting edge of the Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG21) formidable power in the air. These are next generation multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology, enabling them to carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks.”
This will be first time UK fighter aircraft are embarked on an operational aircraft carrier deployment since 2010 and will be the largest number of F-35Bs ever go to sea when joined by American jets.
What is the Carrier Strike Group doing?
HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Carrier Strike Group deployment will feature visits to India, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore.
According to the Ministry of Defence, on the 28-week deployment spanning 26,000 nautical miles the Carrier Strike Group will conduct engagements with Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan and India as part of the UK’s tilt towards the Indo-Pacific region.
Additionally, ‘CSG21’ will participate in NATO exercises such as Exercise Steadfast Defender, and provide support to NATO Operation Sea Guardian and maritime security operations in the Black Sea.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
“When our Carrier Strike Group sets sail next month, it will be flying the flag for Global Britain – projecting our influence, signalling our power, engaging with our friends and reaffirming our commitment to addressing the security challenges of today and tomorrow. The entire nation can be proud of the dedicated men and women who for more than six months will demonstrate to the world that the UK is not stepping back but sailing forth to play an active role in shaping the international system of the 21st Century.”
Units from the Carrier Strike Group are expected to visit more than 40 countries and undertake over 70 engagements, say the Ministry of Defence.
“HMS Queen Elizabeth, the most powerful surface vessel in the Royal Navy’s history, will next month set sail as the flagship of a Carrier Strike Group. Joining her will be a surface fleet of Type 45 destroyers, HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring. Deep below the surface, a Royal Navy Astute-class submarine will be deployed in support, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Providing a cutting edge on the carrier’s flight deck will be eight state-of-the-art RAF F-35B Lightning II fast jets. Alongside will be four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters and three Merlin Mk4 commando helicopters – the greatest quantity of helicopters assigned to a single UK Task Group in a decade. And supporting below deck will be a company of Royal Marines Commandos. A US Navy destroyer, a frigate from the Netherlands and a squadron of US Marine Corps F-35B jets are also fully integrated.”
Additional remarks from the statement explain the “Indo-Pacific tilt”.
“CSG21 will be a truly global deployment, from the North Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific. In Parliament, the Defence Secretary will explain how it will help achieve the UK’s goal for deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific region in support of shared prosperity and regional stability – a stated aim of the Government’s recently published Integrated Review into foreign, defence, security and development policy.
The forthcoming deployment will bolster already deep defence partnerships in the region, where the UK is committed to a more enduring regional defence and security presence. Ships from the Carrier Strike Group will participate in Exercise Bersama Lima to mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Engagements in Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan and India will provide the opportunity for strengthening our security relationships, tightening political ties and supporting our UK exports and International Trade agenda.”
The carrier and her escorts will head to Scotland shortly for Exercise Strike Warrior to test her capabilities before heading to the Asia-Pacific.
The noise these things produce in the hover is incredible. And so stable compared to the Harrier. Maneuvering the F35 in the hover is as easy as a playstation game. The work carried out by the old VAAC Harrier was fundamental towards the fly-by-wire software for the F35B. It was also the only Harrier ever fitted with fly-by-wire. And the longest serving Harrier (40 years) 👍
wonder what the snp makes of this. probably say that’s its an airbase near the sea and the f35bs are cgi. actually do we have any airbases near the coast?
Yes. RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland is right on the coast. RAF Valley in North Wales is also spitting distance from the sea.
Leuchars. Not strictly an RAF Station now but airfield still active I believe.
MoD West Freugh.
MoD Macrihanish.
RAF St Mawgan. Mostly civilian now.
RAF Manston in Kent, think that’s closed now though.
and Culdrose of course…..further back the Culdrose diversionary field, Brawdy, Kinloss of course.
Forgot about Culdrose. I only used to bloody work there 😄🙈
Chivenor!
Closed for flying in 1994, base closed in 1996.
they tell everyone its the Scottish navy
The Landing is all automated push a button and clean your fingernails, USMC lost many Harrier pilots in landing and take off accidents.
Yeah the noise is quite incredible, I was in Canada in late 2019 was 2 F35C cruising around with a couple of F18’s doing some sort of exercise. The F18’s almost sounded like they are electric compared to the F35’s the noise was genuinely deafening. If someone creates a sound radar to track them they would show up a long way off lol
I heard that Yeovilton would not be used for F35 ops because of the noise. Yeovilton is a very rural location with just a couple of small villages close by (spent 4 months working in Sparkford in 2000), so that decision surprised me but possibly much louder than SHAR?
How do they achieve sideways hovering?
Hi Graham. The main nozzle at the back drops 90 degrees, and also moves to provide stability and maneuvering. Air ducts in the wings also provide stability and maneuvering. The fly-by-wire keeps it all in sink, and provides a very stable hover.
This only Only goes to highlight just how skilful the RN harrier FA2 pilots must have been 👏🏻
amazing achievement 👍🏻
🏴🇬🇧
Splendid then we have an accord , no need for any unsavoury parle on the matter 👍🏻
🏴🇬🇧
Look elsewhere mate, they’re still about finding faults.
Alas yes D man ,however instead of them being so critical of our achievements they should consider this is just as much a benefit for the yanks getting a large carrier from which to practice operating one of their squadrons in a task force from. Unless I’m mistaken ? I don’t think they have been able to yet and certainly not with this much deck space or with the ability to carry as much ordinance and fuel as they don’t have the ski jump. It’s a 2 way street the folks should remember that. Outside the USN we are the… Read more »
Amazing to see , hey, Danielle. So impressed to see the carriers back within the Royal Navy. My Uncle is very interested and ‘chuffed’ to see the carrier’s are back. He served on carriers but also the HMY Britannia. Have some family history going back through the Royal Navy.. Actually have two ancestors that were serving at the Battle of Trafalgar. One was a ships master and another was a gunner. So interest in the RN has always been very strong.
That is amazing John. Trafalgar.
I have a Scots Guardsman great great uncle but that’s all I’m aware of!
Don’t think I have noticed the pylons before! What goes on them?
Asraam
Thanks
IIRC that’s because the Pylons are detachable, or at least haven’t usually been attached so far.
beer kegs
weren’t we planning on using srvl landings to save wear on the engine? or is that just for combat loads?
I understand that they only do it for SRVL training and when carrying ordnance. I wonder how many pilots have been SRVL certified?
you would hope all of them by the end of this deployment ;P
Congrats to the RN for getting back into the big boys club.
anyone know when the first Royal Navy F35sqn will stand up ?
Supposed to be in 2023 with 809 NAS.