F-35 OPERATIONAL TESTING VIDEO
15This video won the Royal Navy Video Award.
Videoed and edited by Leading Photographer Dan Shepherd.
HMS Queen Elizabeth has embarked, for the first time UK F-35B Lightning II fighter jets during ‘WESTLANT 19’.
‘WESTLANT 19,’ will see the carrier conduct 'Operational Testing', with the F-35B as she moves closer to her first operational deployment in 2021.
Operational Testing is designed to put the jets, ship and supporting units through their paces. The tests allow the equipment and crew to operate under realistic warfighting scenarios to ready them for their first operational deployment.
From planning campaigns, briefing, preparing and arming the jets and pilots, to flying and sustaining them on their ‘mission,’ the trials ensure that the units can fight as one.
While at sea, HMS Queen Elizabeth will be accompanied by other units of the Commander UK Carrier Strike Group (COMUKCSG) including a Type-45 destroyer, a Type-23 frigate and air assets from the Carrier Air Wing. This provides vital warfighting skills and training for each element to the Royal Navy’s potent carrier strike capabilities.
RFA Tideforce will provide tanker support to the Strike Group, which will be joined by ships and air assets from other nations throughout the deployment. Lima Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines based in Plymouth and a Role 2 Medical Team Afloat will also be embarked on the carrier.