I'm going to assume the first F-35 landing has taken place aboard QE. But obviously no confirmation.

The 'more information should be available in the next day or two' matches up with Navy Lookout's weekend prediction for news.

A series of interesting tweets from QE.

Glad to see the Americans experiencing some fine British traditions

Royals playing God Save the Queen as they dock in America. Superb

QE to now depart earlier!


Live stream:

SDL wrote:How long should it take to cross the Atlantic?

Navy Lookout says about 10 days, but QE is doing a few days of rotary wing trials off the UK first. So possibly there about 2 weeks today?

Tempest, Christina, Suzanne, Indulgent, Independent, and Bountiful getting in position to move QE. Still not on AIS.

Queens [sic?] Head is looking good!

The F-35s are US ones because they're part of a pool of instrument test aircraft that includes 3 UK F-35B. The reason for using US F-35B is because the UK ones are on the west coast, and it'd be a lot of effort to bring them over when identical pool aircraft are on the east coast. Anyway... flight d...

SDL wrote:Nice... that's 10 now on UK soil IIRC

Nine I believe.

Does anyone know if the frontline squadrons will be 8 or 12 aircraft?

They're here

A Tornado (Marham 33) went to meet the F-35s over the south west coast. Likely not just a welcome but also for pictures. F-35 dusk shots would be awesome

British batteries?

Typhoon with various upgrade proposals.

On Twitter I told Tim Robinson from the Royal Aeronautical Society I'm curious whether they'll integrate planned Tempest technology on a future iteration of Typhoon to prove it first. Answer was he'd just spoken to a Eurofighter ref and I was 'spot on'. Even if it's only one prototype (IPA 9?) with ...

Front definitely resembles the SR-71/72 style, which is no bad thing. The 'bump' at the back looks off to be honest, but I'm no aerospace engineer

Absolutely. The Japanese are the real prize for co-operation. South Korea or Italy are consolations in comparison. The real prize of South Korea & Japan would be in potential SE Asian sales. Definitely. Quite frankly Sweden with Scandinavia wouldn't offer much as I can't see Norway or Denmark r...

Makes you wonder what the E actually has to offer Tempest. Certainly not engine, radar, etc. As I am aware the Gripen was said to have a good EW kit, but no idea how it compares. Apart from the maintainability aspect the truth is nothing. Engine clearly not. Radar is just a smaller Captor E. Gripen...

Surprise surprise No 10 says they welcome spending over 2% 'as we already do'

It's unlike this government to be dishonest...

Well well... if it is true then he's certainly effective!

Well... I can't see that happening. Probably a tactic to get countries up to the current 2%.

Surprising. I had to check it wasn't posted on the 1st of April.

Anyone know how many F35's left the US. Web rumours are that 5 left and one turned back but I'm guessing this is potentially BS or seriously fake news - call it what you will. BICBW. The official plan for a long while now has been 4. One was flying as spare I'll wager, in case another one had to dr...

Just recall that story of the F/A-18 pilot in the USN who ejected, the plane rolled mid-eject, and launcher her downwards into the sea. Can't recall if she survived or not. Kara Hultgreen, first female F-14 pilot. RIO survived but she got launched in to the ocean neck first. Overshooting approach t...