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Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 07 Sep 2019, 11:55
by Simon82
SW1 wrote:
If we give back the small ones do u think they would give us the large one? The B2 is an exquisite aircraft.
A couple of squadrons of B-21s would be a nice replacement for Tornado, although perhaps more in the spirit of Vulcan. Perhaps if the nation collectively scoured down the back of their sofas for loose change...

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 07 Sep 2019, 14:32
by ArmChairCivvy
Simon82 wrote: more in the spirit of Vulcan
:thumbup:

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 10 Sep 2019, 21:46
by bobp
F35 electronic warfare


Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 10 Sep 2019, 21:49
by bobp
And some info on possible chaff dispensers in the future as well as more on its EW suite

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/2 ... irculation

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 11 Sep 2019, 11:38
by SKB

(Forces TV) 9th September 2019
British F-35Bs have made history by training with US Air Force B-2 stealth bombers for the first time. The B-2s took part in the integration flying training with the British jets as part of their deployment to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The aircraft, from USAF's Bomber Task Force Europe, will conduct a series of training activities while in the continent.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 03 Oct 2019, 20:29
by SKB

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 03 Oct 2019, 20:45
by SDL
How many are going again?

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 03 Oct 2019, 22:45
by SKB
Last year, Jerry Kyd said 7.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 04 Oct 2019, 21:49
by bobp
SKB wrote:Last year, Jerry Kyd said 7.
Correct I remember that statement but...…..
Possibly one or more from the Test Squadron and possibly others from the USMC.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 05 Oct 2019, 13:09
by shotleylad
7 jets are flying out from the UK next week

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 05 Oct 2019, 13:44
by SKB
Probably 3 Voyager's too.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 05 Oct 2019, 14:49
by Gabriele
17 Sqn has been constantly mentioned too. Wonder if some of their 3 instrumented jets are coming over from Edwards. Considering the particular role of 17 Sqn, don't think their involvment is limited to personnel only. Unless they use other instrumented jets from the East coast part of the Integrated Test Force, like the ones which did the first embarkation last year.

Curious to see how that one plays out, exactly.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 05 Oct 2019, 17:00
by serge750
I seem to remember reading somewhere ( trying to remember-but brain not working! ) that 3 from 617sqn & 2 from 207sqn along with a couple from 17r making 7? thought it was a strange mix but so excited to see them onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in the next week or two?....

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 07 Oct 2019, 23:18
by SKB
Image
Yep. RAF roundals. ^
Presumably, these are the three "orange wired" US-based RAF 17 Squadron F-35B's. BK-01, BK-02, BK-04.

Image
(List: @GBdefcorrect)

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 07 Oct 2019, 23:24
by SDL
Man.... cannot wait for the deluge of photos :D

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 13:50
by bobp
That's great to hear that the there will be quite a few on deck at the same time.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 14:07
by SDL

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 14:58
by SKB

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 15:18
by bobp
Only three from uk???

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 15:20
by SDL
3 from UK, 3 from the US

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 15:21
by SKB
Video of the three planes leaving Marham. BK-14 (ZM148), BK-15 (ZM149), BK-17 (ZM151).
https://www.forces.net/news/british-f-3 ... ght-trials

They will land at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort in South Carolina, before making the final leg to land on QE.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 15:23
by ArmChairCivvy
SDL wrote:3 from UK, 3 from the US
The 'configurable' airwing :)
- the rest made up by helos

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 15:46
by SDL
i believe there may be a couple of US jets as well at some point

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 18:38
by Scimitar54
All good historical (and up to date) logged evidence of the RAF withholding Fast Jet assets from Carrier Strike. It should make the eventual transfer of the F35Bs to the RN far easier to justify. Not a good start for (RAF) "F35B Operational Squadron" qualification & training from the QEC Aircraft Carriers. If the RAF have not sent at least 6 x pilots to use those aircraft to get "Carrier Qualified" (and to gain familiarisation with a Carrier deployment) then they are missing an invaluable opportunity, with only one more WESTLANT to go before HMS QE's first operational deployment. Potentially very shoddy indeed.

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

Posted: 09 Oct 2019, 19:13
by SKB
I think its purely down to the UK only owning eighteen of them so far. Six F-35B's represents an entire third (33%) of the UK's current fleet.