F-35 jet cleared for Carrier take-off, Defence Minister tells Select Committee

The UK’s cutting-edge F-35 fighter jet is now cleared for take-off from HMS Queen Elizabeth following successful trials using the ski-ramp design featured on the UK flagship.

 

The UK’s cutting-edge F-35 fighter jet is now cleared for take-off from HMS Queen Elizabeth following successful trials using the ski-ramp design featured on the UK flagship, Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin announced at the House of Commons Defence Select Committee this afternoon.

 

Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin said:

"Successful ski-ramp trials mean the F-35 is cleared to fly from the carrier as the momentum continues for this game-changing jet. This milestone comes as our pilots and planes prepare to return from the States, ready for next year’s unforgettable flight trials from the deck of the nation’s new flagship."

READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/f-35-jet-and-new-batch-of-uk-pilots-cleared-for-carrier-take-off-defence-minister-tells-select-committee

These jets reply on US software updates and technical support. I just hope UK always maintains a good relationship with the US or we will be in trouble.

And perhaps the RAF should be keeping older aircraft in operational service, as back up, rather than scrapping them and then not having contingency defence options.

bit like when we had Nuclear missiles in thr late 50s early 60s, we bought the equipment but the yanks had their own warhead bunkers in separate compound under their control not ours,

bit like when we had Nuclear missiles in thr late 50s early 60s, we bought the equipment but the yanks had their own warhead bunkers in separate compound under their control not ours,

Yes my Dad worked for the Army or whatever secret establishment in the 50's when the UK had their first nuclear weapons. He signed up to a lifetime official secrets commitment and never ever talked about his role. It was some kind of engineering work.

we all had to in that area of operations = and full vetting

how many B's, 14?

recent info

'The United Kingdom is edging ever closer to buying F-35As, instead of the B model needed to fly from the Navy’s new aircraft carriers, as a senior officer once again refused to rule out a future F-35A purchase......This matters because if the Royal Air Force secures a purchase of the non-navalised F-35A variant, it could leave Britain’s future flagships without enough fighter jets to deliver their intended effect....'

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/12/05/uk_f35a_buy_still_on_cards/

ps

unsurprising seeing as the carrier(s) would've been mothballed but for the cost in doing so compared to keeping them. hence why only a few B's so far?

and aside, wanted to post this RIP

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-42682005