HMS Astute
Junior Member
RAF Typhoons En Route to Red Flag, United States.
06 January 2015
06 January 2015
RAF Typhoons En Route to Red Flag, United States.
06 January 2015
17 (Reserve) Squadron has begun operational testing of the UK’s first F-35B, 100 years after the unit was first established.
The squadron, which was first formed in 1915, will be responsible for all the test and evaluation of the UK’s first F-35 Lightning II.
The aircraft, known as BK-1, is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California and will be operated under UK regulations. Personnel from 17 (R) Sqn, which is made up of engineers and pilots from the RAF and Royal Navy, will fly and maintain the jets independently from their US colleagues - an important step towards the UK developing its Joint Strike Fighter capability.
A parade and flypast to mark the centenary and their new role with the F-35 Lightning II was held at Edwards AFB 02.09.2015. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford will attend, along with representatives from some of the UK companies involved in the manufacturing of the F-35.
While testing and evaluation of BK-1 is underway at Edwards Air Force Base, over 2000 miles away at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina, the first aircraft that will be used operationally – BK-3 – has just arrived. Working alongside US Marine Corps colleagues, UK personnel will fly BK-3, which will form part of the UK’s first front-line Lightning II unit, 617 Squadron, operating from RAF Marham and then Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers from 2018.