Defence Online

New £76m contract boosts F-35 Lightning fleet support

Air January 18, 2021

A £76 million aircraft support contract, supporting more than 170 jobs, will maximise the availability and capability of the UK’s F-35 Lightning stealth jets, ensuring they are ready for combat operations across the globe. Signed by Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office, the Lightning Air system National Capability Enterprise ...

HMS Queen Elizabeth to conduct flight trials in UK waters

Maritime January 29, 2020

HMS Queen Elizabeth will conduct flight trials for F-35 Lightning jets in UK waters after sailing from Portsmouth. The jets conducted their first maritime flight trials from an aircraft carrier last year and the new tests will allow pilots to practise landing on the deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth. The ...

F-35 Lightning Jets land on HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time

Maritime October 18, 2019

F-35 Lightning Jets have completed takeoffs and landings aboard the next generation HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time. The Lightning jets landed on the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to begin operational trials off the East Coast of the USA. The jets were flown by RAF and Royal Navy pilots ...

F-35 Lightning aircraft deployed for first overseas exercise

Air May 23, 2019

F-35B Lightning aircraft from the 617 squadron were deployed for their first overseas exercise in Cyprus. Several F-35B Lightning aircraft from 617 Squadron, ‘The Dambusters,’ flew from their base at RAF Marham in Norfolk to spend six weeks at RAF Akrotiri as part of their first overseas exercise. The Lightning, as ...