Defence Online

Defence Minister visit marks opening of Rolls Royce’s F-35 Liftworks facility

Air September 20, 2018

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew has opened a new state-of-the-art facility that manufactures unique vertical lift technology for the F-35 fighter jets. The ‘LiftWorks’ facility, which has opened at Rolls-Royce in Bristol, makes the ‘LiftSystem’ to provide F-35 fighter jets with a fan propulsion system that allows them to take off over ...

HMS Queen Elizabeth to begin F-35B fighter jet trials

Maritime August 21, 2018

Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has departed her home port of Portsmouth, bound for the USA to land fast jets on deck for the very first time. Eight years since a British aircraft carrier last flew a fast jet from her decks, the 65,000-tonne carrier will embark two F-35B ...

OC 617 Squadron takes first flight in F-35B Lightning

Air December 6, 2017

The new Officer Commanding Number 617 Squadron, Wing Commander John Butcher, has taken his first flight in an F-35B Lightning, the UK’s new multi-role stealth combat aircraft. 617 Sqn ‘Dambusters’ is designated as the first frontline UK F-35B Lightning squadron and will return to RAF Marham next summer. The first flight ...

Dstl plays pivotal role in HMS Queen Elizabeth commissioning

Maritime August 18, 2017

Analysis carried out by the Defence Science and Technical Laboratory (Dstl) has played a pivotal role in the commissioning of HMS Queen Elizabeth, Great Britain’s flagship aircraft carrier. The Queen Elizabeth Carrier (QEC) made its historic debut in Portsmouth on Wednesday 16 August. For Dstl staff, this was the culmination of ...