RAF Squadron Leader Steve Long pilots Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing version of UK’s next generation fighter.
At Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, USA flew the F-35 Lightning’s 18th mission for just over an hour, flying up to 20,000 feet before landing back at the Air Station.
The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force plan to operate the aircraft, which will be able to be launched from ships or from normal runways. The Lockheed Martin F-35 is a 5th generation fighter, uniquely characterized by advanced stealth with supersonic speed and high agility, sensor fusion, network-enabled capabilities and advanced sustainment. The three F-35 variants are derived from a common design, are being developed together and will use the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide, bringing economies of commonality and scale.
It is planned that the UK, The United States and seven other international partners are planning to buy more than 3,000 F-35 aircraft. BAE Systems have been contracted to build sections of the tail and the rear section of the fuselage, the work will be carried out mainly at their Samlesbury site in the North West.
The defence industry in the UK employs 300,000 people up and down the country and is proud of the work it does to support the Armed Forces.