Pre-series
Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) is proposing acceleration of the F-35 Lightning II production, concentrating on fielding US Marine Corps F-35Bs.
Истребитель Lockheed Martin F-35 будет строиться в трех вариантах: F-35A - для ВВС, F-35B с укороченным взлетом и вертикальной посадкой - для Корпуса морской пехоты и F-35C - для действий с авианосцев. На фотографии: первый полет F-35B.
Test pilot Graham Tomlinson completed the first flight of the F-35B on June 11, 2008.
F-35 набирает обороты. 28 июля 2009г.: компания "Lockheed Martin" выкатила первый самолет модификации F-35C, построенный в рамках этапа разработки и демонстрации системы (SDD) программы Joint Strike Fighter. В том же году были выполнены первый полет второго F-35B (25 февраля) и 1000-й полет F-35 (23 июня). 26 октября компания "Northrop Grumman" начала работу над элементами конструкции первого F-35B, предназначенного для Великобритании, а 14 ноября в воздух поднялся опытный самолет AF-1. На следующий день первый F-35B, BF-1 (на фото), прибыл для испытаний на авиабазу Патуксент-Ривер.
BF-1 - первый самолет модификации F-35B. В воздух он поднялся 11 июня 2008 года, первое висение выполнил 17 марта 2010 года, а на следующий день выполнил первую вертикальную посадку.
Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos defended the F-35B during a media briefing at NAS Patuxent River on July 29, 2011.
На вооружении авиации КМП США состоят СВВП Harrier. Британские ВМС приспособили Harrier для базирования на кораблях сравнительно небольшого водоизмещения. Этот опыт нашел развитие в создании КВП F-35B - специализированной модификации многоцелевого F-35.
При работе подъемного вентилятора у F-35B для подвода воздуха к вентилятору открывается большой щиток. F-35B является самым сложным из всех трех вариантов самолета.
Downdraught from the Pratt & Whitney F135 main engine nozzle creates considerable amounts of spray as Lt Col Fred Schenk approaches the USS Wasp.
Lt Col Fred Schenk makes the first vertical landing on a flight deck at sea aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) in F-35B BF-02 on October 3, 2011.
F-35B test aircraft BF-01 comes in for a vertical landing aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) on August 19, 2013 during DT-II. The second phase of ship suitability sea trials expanded the F-35B's operational envelope around the ship in short take-off/vertical landing mode.
BF-02 lifts off the deck for one of 67 short take-offs undertaken from the USS Wasp during the first of three sea trials.
VX-23 F-35B test aircraft BF-01 loaded with a symmetric external load comprising two AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and four GBU-12 laser-guided bombs during DT III on board the USS America. One of the test team’s objectives for DT III was to conduct vertical landings and short take-offs with symmetric and asymmetric external loads carriage.
An aviation boatswain's mate directs Lt Col Schenk in F-35B BF-02 after completing the first vertical landing on a flight deck at sea.
F-35B BF-02 in the hangar bay of USS Wasp.
F-35Bs BF-02 and BF-04 returned to NAS Patuxent River on October 21, 2011 after completing initial sea trials on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). During the 18-day test period the two aircraft logged more than 28 hours of flight time and completed 12 short take-offs and 12 vertical landings under various conditions.
F-35B test aircraft BF-01 is cleared for short take-off from the deck of the USS Wasp (LHD-1) on August 20, 2013. BF-01 and its sister BF-05 deployed aboard the Wasp for the second phase of ship suitability sea trials, also known as developmental test phase two (DT-II).
F-35B test aircraft BF-01 takes off from the deck of the USS Wasp (LHD-1) on August 15, 2013.
Lt Col Schenk lifts off the flight deck of USS Wasp in F-35B BF-02 on October 4, 2011.
F-35B BF-02 loaded with two ASRAAM Dummy Air Training Missiles over the Eastern Shore of Maryland on November 10, 2014 during a flutter test mission from NAS Patuxent River flown by Squadron Leader Andy Edgell.
F-35B BF-02 during the first flutter test mission of the Paveway IV precision-guided bomb, in this case Ballistic Standard Test Vehicles, flown by Lockheed Martin’s test pilot Billie Flynn on November 13, 2014.
F-35B BF-02 during the first flutter test mission of the Paveway IV precision-guided bomb, in this case Ballistic Standard Test Vehicles, flown by Lockheed Martin’s test pilot Billie Flynn on November 13, 2014.
Первый испытательный полет F-35B с несимметричной нагрузкой
F-35B BF-03 on a flutter and buffet test mission from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on February 1, 2018, its 691st flight. The aircraft is loaded with 1,000lb GBU-32 and 2,000lb GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
F-35B BF-03 completed the first weapons release of an inert 500lb GBU-12 laser-guided bomb over the Atlantic Test Range on December 3, 2012.
GBU-12 Paveway II is released from an F-35A Lightning II during a trial flown by test pilot Michael Klingen
F-35B BF-03 fires the last flight sciences weapon separation test of an MBDA ASRAAM missile during a flight from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on May 17, 2017.
On January 27, 2011 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II BF-05 completed its first flight at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas. It was airborne for around 40 minutes. The aircraft is the fifth and last of the short take-off and vertical landing variant assigned to developmental flight testing. It will join the other four F-35Bs and one F-35C at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, later this year. Lt Cmdr Eric 'Magic' Buus became the first US Navy test pilot to fly an F-35B at that facility on February 3.
This shot shows the engine nozzle vectoring thrust generated by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine to maintain the required lift for the aircraft as it transitions into a hover and vertical landing.
Lt Col Fred Schenk at the controls of F-35B BF-02 during the final moments of a vertical landing. This shot clearly shows the number of doors that open when an F-35B undertakes a vertical landing. Three on top of the fuselage, one for the lift fan and two for the auxilliary inlet, two for the lift fan nozzles underneath, roll nozzles (one under each wing), and two at the rear of the aircraft for the thrust vectoring nozzle.
F-35B BF-02 tests landings on a sloped pad at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, on January 17, 2018. The Naval Air Station Patuxent River-based F-35 Integrated Test Force undertook a series of vertical landing maneuvers in simulated expeditionary conditions to expand the F-35B's capability to allow vertical landings with relaxed sloped surfaces.
F-35B Lightning II BF-04 takes off from a ski-jump for the first time at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
USA
An F-35B Lightning II assigned to VMFA-121 conducts a vertical landing at Red Beach on December 10, 2015.
F-35B Корпуса морской пехоты США
F-35B Корпуса морской пехоты США. В компоновочной схеме американского СВВП F-35B прослеживаются характерные черты Як-141
A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II of operational test squadron VMX-1 on approach to MCAS Yuma, Arizona.
US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II BuNo 169028/ VM28 assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) ‘Warlords’ lands on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during the ship’s certification exercise in the Atlantic Ocean during August 2017.
A VMFA-121 F-35B Lightning II conducts a vertical landing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on February 3, 2017.
Вертикальная посадка F-35B на авианесущий десантный корабль "Уосп"
An F-35B assigned to VMFA-211 conducts a vertical landing on board USS Essex (LHD 2) in the Arabian Gulf.
A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) touches down on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), marking the first time the aircraft has deployed aboard a US Navy ship and with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, in this case the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, in the Indo-Pacific.
The seven-week at sea period aboard the USS Wasp involved six F-35Bs: four from VMFA-121 and two from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) ‘Warlords’ based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. F-35B BuNo 169024/'VM11 ’ assigned to VMFAT-501 is shown on take off from the USS Wasp.
Will F-35B Lightning IIs one day operate from the decks of Japanese and Republic of Korea ships?
UK Carrier Strike Group 21 was trail-blazing in many ways. One of those was the first employment of the GBU-49 from an F-35B
F-35B fighters arrive on HMS ‘Queen Elizabeth’ to take part in a joint exercise in the North Sea in September 2020
Interoperability and interchangeability are key words for future US-UK carrier operations. A VMFA-211 F-35B sits on the deck, while a 617 Sqn jet prepares to land with its engine already taking the strain
F-35B на палубе авианесущего корабля
US Marines and sailors with the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit wait for flight operations to begin while F-35B Lightning Ils from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211), 13th MEU, are refuelled in preparation for the F-35B's first combat strike.
Aviation fuel handlers refuel an F-35B on the flight deck of USS Wasp on May 18 during the seven-week at sea period known as OTI (Operational Test Phase One).
Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group, was responsible for the 14 F-35Bs while they were operating from the HMS 'Queen Elizabeth', the largest air group of fifth-generation fighters ever put to sea
The F-35B aircraft embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth have undertaken a number of exercise and operational flights as part of the CSG21 deployment into the Indo-Pacific
F-35Bs assigned to VMFA-122 on board USS America (LHA 6) in October 2019.
All four 617 Sqn F-35Bs sit on the deck, with two VMFA-211 flanking them. Five more from the squadron sit opposite
Capping the F-35B buy at, or close to, 48 aircraft would represent a reduction of 90 aircraft from the original planned order. It will leave the Royal Navy carriers dependent upon the USMC to augment the UK F-35Bs if they are to carry a meaningful air wing. During Groupex, HMS 'Queen Elizabeth' embarked just five RAF F-35Bs, and ten from the US Marine Corps.
HMS Queen Elizabeth with all 14 F-35Bs and two Merlins visible. Note the black spots on the landing pads where the F-35B engines have burnt the deck
The HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier with some of the CSG vessels.
USS America (LHA 6) underway off the coast of California on the first day of the Lightning Carrier Proof of Concept Demonstration with 12 F-35Bs on deck.
F-35B BF-05 from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) ‘Salty Dogs' launches from the flight deck of USS America (LHA 6) loaded with four externally carried 500 lb inert GBU-12 test vehicles during DT III.
The F-35 detachment of Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) based at Edwards Air Force Base, California embarked three F-35Bs on board the USS America for the type's third set of F-35B ship trials, referred to as Developmental Test III (DT III), from October 28 through November 17, 2016.
F-35B из эскадрильи VMFA-211 взлетает с палубы десантного вертолетоносца «Эссекс» 27 сентября 2018 г.
Despite MINDEF’s announcement that Singapore is planning to order a small number of F-35s, the ministry has not specified which variant; the F-35B is under consideration.
F-35B 169608/CF-07 departs the Queen Elizabeth with the nozzle of its Pratt & Whitney F135 engine pointing downwards, providing the push to get it off the deck
Взлет F-35B с коротким разбегом с палубы LHD-1 "Уосп"
An F-35B Lightning II performs a conventional take-off at the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field at Twentynine Palms SELF on December 11,2015.
On June 30, 2016, UK F-35B ZM137 and US Marine Corps aircraft BuNo 168727/VM19 flew in formation with RAF Tornado GR4 ZG771 over RAF Marham, Norfolk. This was the first flight of an F-35B at Marham, which also included one low and one STOVL approach and fly away.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) 'Green Knights’ based at Iwakuni, Japan, was the first unit to participate in a Northern Edge exercise with the F-35 Lightning II.
F-35B BuNo 168313/'VM12' is currently assigned to VX-23 'Salty Dogs' at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland to augment the ongoing JSF flight-test programme. The aircraft will eventually be re-assigned to VMFAT-501 'Warlords' based at Eglin AFB, Florida.
An F-35B getting off the tanker during operation Octave Quartz 2021. This aircraft is equipped with the gun pod participated over an undisclosed area over east Africa
An F-35B assigned to VMFA-211 fitted with a 25mm GAU-22 cannon during deployment on board USS Wasp.
F-35B Lightning Il's assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) 'Wake Island Avengers', and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a combat mission over Afghanistan on September 27, 2018.
A pair of USMC F-35Bs assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) Wake Island Avengers fly a combat mission over Afghanistan in September 2018.
Recapitalisation in the US Marine Corps comes with no higher profile than the F-35B Lightning II. The service has already transitioned two AV-8B Harrier squadrons to the type and transition of the first F/A-18 Hornet unit is imminent.
F-35B ВМС США над авианосцем «Куин Элизабет»
The test pilot of F-35B Lightning II BuNo 168313/17, assigned to the 461st Flight Test Squadron based at Edwards Air Force Base, fires an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile above the Point Mugu Sea Test Range, California as part of a weapons delivery accuracy test. During a 31-day calendar period, the Edwards-based F-35 Integrated Test Force accomplished 30 weapon releases (missile live fires and weapon separations) using aircraft configured with Block 3F software.
Production standard US Marine Corps F-35B BuNo 168313/‘VK13', currently assigned to the 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, releases a GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb from the internal weapons bay against a fixed target located in a test range on October 29, 2013.
11 января 2012г. компания Lockheed Martin передала Корпусу Морской пехоты (КМП) США первые два истребителя F-35B Lightning II. Самолеты с бортовыми номерами BF-6 и BF-8 прибыли на базу ВВС США Эглин. С августа текущего года на них начнется обучение пилотов. Планируется, что боевая готовность F-35B КМП будет объявлена только в 2018 г. Всего предполагается выпустить около 3,1 тыс. различных версий F-35, 2473 из которых поступят на вооружение ВВС, ВМС и КМП США
F-35B BuNo 168057/'VM01' (BF-06) in the markings of Marine Strike Fighter Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) ‘Warlords' lands at NAS JRB Fort Worth at the end of its third test functional check flight on November 3, 2011. The aircraft is the first production series F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) for the US Marine Corps, and made its maiden flight on October 25 piloted by Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti. The aircraft is due to be delivered to VMFAT-501 at Eglin AFB, Florida in early December.
A US Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II after landing for the first time at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina, in September 2019.
The first five VMFA-211 F-35Bs to arrive at RAF Marham, on the evening of September 3, 2020, taxi to their parking slots
One often US Marine Corps VMFA-211 F-35B Lightning Ils in fading light shortly after arriving at RAF Marham, Norfolk, on September 4, 2020 for a lengthy deployment
US Marine Corps Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II BuNo.168717/‘MV-05’ arriving at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on October 9, 2014. The aircraft is the first of the type for Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 (VMX-22) ‘Argonauts’, which will have its full complement of four F-35Bs within the next few months. It was previously coded ‘VK-151 and operated by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) ‘Green Knights' at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
Marines hook up a hose for a power cart before a weapons functional test during Exercise Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.
A VMFA-121 F-35B wearing the USS America titles is seen at Yokota Air Base on February 9, 2021. The USMC units are regular features on USS aicraft carriers now
Майор А.Веллингтон - летчик истребителя F-35 из состава 121-й эскадрильи авиации морской пехоты
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) deployed to Nellis in July 2019 for its F-35B debut at Red Flag 19-3. One of the squadron's pilots steps up the crew access ladder to crew-up.
Marines refuel an F-35B Lightning II at Allen Army airfield during a distributed operations exercise.
An avionics technician assigned to VMFA-121 performs a weapons functional test on an F-35B Lightning II at Twentynine Palms.
An aviation ordnance chief supervises the first ever hot load on the F-35B Lightning II.
Marines conduct the first ever hot load on the F-35B Lightning II during WTI 1-17 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, on September 22, 2016.
UK
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II ZM137 made its second flight on April 5, 2013.
The fifth gen F-35 will like tomorrow’s sixth-generation jets, fight as part of a much larger force of sea, land, air, and cyber assets
The UK is gradually building up its fleet of F-35Bs. In early December 2016 F-35B ZM140 (c/n BK-06) was delivered to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to join the ranks of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) ‘Warlords'. UK F-35Bs ZM141 (c/n BK-07) and ZM142 (c/n BK-08) shown here are already flying with Lockheed Martin at Fort Worth.
Three more Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightnings destined for the UK left Fort Worth on November 27, 2020. The first of these, ZM154 (MSN BK-20), is seen here during a pre-delivery flight (callsign 'Strike 61') on November 12. The 'Strike' callsign denotes a predelivery customer test flight, while 'Lightning' is reserved for Lockheed Martin Test flights
A UK F-35B Lightning II takes off from US Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in June 2018 on a delivery flight to RAF Marham, UK
Here come the Brits! Royal Navy Commander Nathan Gray and Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Andy Edgell head out from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on their way to HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Over head the ship ahead of the first deck landings. A big day for the Royal Navy.
RAF F-35B Lightnings conducting sorties in support of Operation Shader, the first combat missions of the type in UK service.
Lightning pairs recovery.
An image captured during an air refuelling mission flown by Royal Air Force Voyager KC3 from 10 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton. Exercise Point Blank involved packages of fighter aircraft training in both offensive and defensive counter air operations against simulated threat systems.
UK F-35B Lightning Iis ZM145, ZM146, ZM147 and ZM148 in formation over England on their delivery flight from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.
Run and break for landing on the rebuilt runway at RAF Marham during the evening of June 6, 2018. OC 617 Squadron, Wing Commander John Butcher is shown making the break.
Voyager KC2 ZZ335 leading the formation of four F-35B Lightning IIs en-route to RAF Marham on June 6, 2018.
A highlight of this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford was the daily formation flypast by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows with an F-35B and a Typhoon or two (depending on serviceability). That's showbiz!
An image captured during an air refuelling mission flown by Royal Air Force Voyager KC3 from 10 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton. Exercise Point Blank involved packages of fighter aircraft training in both offensive and defensive counter air operations against simulated threat systems.
During the recent Exercise Cobra Warrior, the RAF F-35Bs and Typhoons worked with this Italian Air Force Gulfstream 550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning aircraft. With the Sentry AEW1 retired last year and the E-7 not due to enter service until 2023/24, it was handy to work with a similar asset from an allied force
Two UK F-35B Lightning II fighters being refuelled during transit from the US. The UK has apparently committed to another tranche of aircraft, although funding is being held separately
The RAF’s Voyager KC2/3 air-to-air tanker fl eet is playing a major part in refuelling British combat air patrols not just over NATO’s eastern flanks, but in sorties over Iraq and Syria during Operation Shader. A far cry from the days of Tristars and VC-10s, which were regularly breaking down due to their age
Two RAF F-35B Lightnings fly off the wing of an Italian Air Force KC-767A tanker during multinational exercise Cobra Warrior 22, hosted in the UK, with both fourth and fifth-generation aircraft taking part
This shot shows how close the F-35's transparency and canopy are to the aerial refuelling drogue when plugged.
F-35B Lightning II ZM135 (BK-01) seen on take-off from Edwards on February 5, 2015 for a test mission flown under full UK legislation.
F-35B Lightning ZM146 during a simulated emergency landing replicating a scenario in which the F135 engine had suffered a flame out. The aircraft is shown landing with a high angle of attack after circling several times from an altitude of 20,000 feet.
F-35B Lightning ZM146 on final approach for landing at Akrotiri in conventional mode.
F-35B Lightning ZM151 landing at RAF Marham in fading light after a transatlantic flight from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. Five of the six aircraft carried the new Lightning Force tail marking.
The fourth F-35B Lightning II for the UK ZM138 (c/n BK-04) made its maiden flight on December 2, 2015 followed by its second flight two days later. During its second flight the test pilot converted to mode 4 flight; the first time a UK F-35B has flown in mode 4 at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
The UK's fifth F-35B ZM139 (BK-05) at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. Three UK F-35Bs are expected to remain at Beaufort with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) 'Warlords' for the foreseeable future to support UK and US pilot training.
F-35B Lightning ZM145 on final approach to Akrotiri on May 27, 2019 after a training mission with Israeli Air Force F-35Is.
Royal Navy Commander Nathan Gray flies F-35B BF-05/SD65 in mode 4 flight abeam HMS Queen Elizabeth prior to making the first landing onboard.
Two Italian F-35s showing of their full load out. Unfortunately, the F-35B does not have its weapon bays open for comparison with the F-35A
F-35B Lightning ZM148 during landing at RAF Akrotiri.
The F-35B’s three-bearing swivel module points downward during the aircraft's approach, in this case during a short, rolling landing. The immense power generated by the aircraft's F135 engine and the resultant exhaust plume blew dust and debris close to, but not on, the runway, all around creating an interesting backdrop to the photo.
The UK has yet to specify how many F-35B fifth-generation stealth fighters it will procure over the lifetime of the programme, with the type potentially increasingly focused on the provision of carrier-based strike capability in future
Approaching runway 01 for short, rolling landings. This style of landing had not previously been conducted by multiple F-35Bs in the UK before June 6, 2018.
Newly qualified British F-35B pilots operating off the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in August 2021 during the deployment of UK Carrier Strike Group 21
The first of eight F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from No 617 Squadron land on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021 ahead of Exercise Strike Warrior
BAE Systems test pilot Peter Wilson touches down on HMS Queen Elizabeth's flight deck for the first ever Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing.
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II ZM144 ‘010’on HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08) on June 9, 2020, during initial Carrier Sea Training with the type. The newly published Defence Command Paper confirmed that more than the 48 F-35Bs currently on order will be acquired by the UK but failed to provide any indication as to how many more will be involved
Посадка F-35B на палубу авианосца «Куин Элизабет» 15 октября 2019 г.
Lightning ZM136 of 17 Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California, loaded with an ASRAAM on the wing-mounted pylon.
Despite its allocation to No.17(R) Squadron, F-35B ZM135 (BK-01) will remain devoid of any squadron markings in accordance with the UK’s operational test criteria.
At 2007hrs local time on June 28, 2016, aviation history was made at RAF Fairford when F-35B Lightning II ZM137 (c/n BK-03) landed at the Gloucestershire base; the first F-35 to land on UK soil. Accompanied by two US Marine Corps F-35Bs assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) ‘Warlords’ based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina, the three jets arrived in the UK to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford and the Farnborough International Airshow.
Arming a ‘Dambusters’ F-35B aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth during Westlant 19 exercise. Armourers practise preparing the jet for combat operations, mounting AMRAAMs internally, while there are ASRAAMs and Paveway IV laser-guided bombs under the wings. The aircraft never flew with these loads because the SRVL (Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing) had not then been perfected
UK F-35B ZM135 (BK-01) taxies in from runway 22 at Edwards on its arrival at its new home: Edwards Air Force Base, California.
A 617 Sqn F-35B taxies out, while an anti-submarine warfare Merlin HM2 hovers behind, probably tasked for search and rescue standby
Artwork decorating the floor of the main F-35 hangar used by the four test squadrons assigned to the JOTT at Edwards.
The pilot of F-35B Lightning ZM149 hands his crew bag to the awaiting ground crew.
The F-35B’s shutdown process involves checking many of the aircraft’s systems including the 50-inch (1.27m) titanium lift fan door on top of the fuselage.
F-35B Lightning II ZM148 (c/n BK-14) on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina on December 14, 2017. The aircraft, the final one to be delivered to the UK contingent at Beaufort, is shown after it's delivery flight from Lockheed Martin's plant at Fort Worth.
At rest after its transatlantic ferry flight from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina to RAF Marham on June 6, 2018. An RAF technician watches over his ruggedized laptop plugged into the aircraft maintenance interface panel. The technician is almost certainly using one of the many functions of the Autonomic Logistics Information System as part of the jet's post-flight maintenance process.
The F-35’s one-piece, forward-opening windshield and canopy gleens in the evening sunlight as ground crew open the aircraft's maintenance interface panel (to the left) and the crew access ladder panel (to the right).
Wg Cdr Jim Beck loosens up his flight gear after the ferry flight from the East Coast to Edwards Air Force Base on January 13, 2015.
The third and fourth aircraft, of four F-35Bs, taxi to parking at RAF Marham on June 6, 2018 following the ferry flight from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. By the time the pilots climbed out of the cockpits they had been in the seat for ten hours.
Two F-35B Lightning Iis taxi for the first time from RAF Marham's new runway 01/19 on June 6, 2018. The rebuilt 1,855m (6,086ft) runway was used for the first time a week before by one of the based Tornado GR4s.
Wg Cdr Williams leads 207 Squadron into Marham's new squadron and training facilities located on the south side of the base.
Three hundred million pounds' worth of kit, plus expenses, on the flight line at RAF Marham bound for Cyprus and a proof of capability exercise away from base dubbed Lightning Dawn.
Family fleet: The RAF's concept model for the next generation jet fighter "Tempest", F-35B, Typhoon and Tornado aircraft, all seen here in the F-35B hangar at RAF Marham
847 NAS has the pre-eminent specialist aircrew to conduct Joint Fires from the air with highly specialised Forward Air Controllers (Airborne) or FAC(A)s. Some of those precision fires are provided by fixed-wing aircraft, which include fifth-gen fighters such as the F-35 Lightning II
Two 617 Squadron F-35B Lightnings in one of the refurbished hardened aircraft shelters.
F-35B ZM145 taxis out at RAF Marham ahead of its five-hour flight to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. Note the RUBB hangars in use.
F-35B BF-04 during night operations aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. Note the badge on the vertical stabiliser featuring silhouettes of an F-35B and HMS Queen Elizabeth and the title 'F-35B FIRST OF CLASS FLIGHT TRIALS - HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH'.
OC No.17(R) Squadron, Wg Cdr Jim Beck is a former Tornado GR4 pilot who served with No.XI(B) and No.XIII Squadrons.
A Royal Navy commander chats with one of the four pilots who delivered the first four UK F-35Bs from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina to RAF Marham in Norfolk.
F-35B Lightning II ZM136 (BK-02) was due to be delivered to Edwards Air Force Base in January 2015. The aircraft is now expected at the Californian super base sometime in March.
The serrated edges of the F-35B's nozzle are clearly shown in this photo.
Italy
The first F-35B assembled outside the United States rolled out of the Final Assembly and Check Out facility at Cameri Air Base, Italy on May 5, 2017. The aircraft’s first flight is anticipated in late August and is programmed to be delivered in November. After a series of confidence flights from Cameri, an Italian pilot will fly the aircraft to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, in early 2018 to conduct electromagnetic environmental effects certification.
31 января 2018 г. на аэродроме авиабазы ВМС США Патаксент-Ривер (шт. Мэриленд) приземлился первый собранный за пределами США истребитель F-35B Lightning II, совершивший трансатлантический перелет. Самолет построен для ВМС Италии на заводе FACO в городе Камери (провинция Новара), который является совместным предприятием итальянской компании Leonardo и американской Lockheed Martin. С 2015 г. в Камери собраны девять истребителей в варианте F-35A. ВВС Италии планируют принять на вооружение 90 экземпляров F-35 (60 F-35A и 30 F-35B) местной сборки.
В ВМС Италии пока только один F-35B
On January 18, 2018, Italy's first F-35B Lightning II MM.7451/4-01 flew from Cameri Air Base for the first time with the markings of the Marina Militare's Gruppo Aereo applied; the numeral 4 code denotes the aircraft type.
An unmarked F-35B, landing at NAS Fort Worth JRB on November 10, 2020 using callsign 'Strike 21' and thought to be destined for the UK. Seeing an unmarked F-35 is rare, so identification is difficult
Lockheed Martin's F-35B STOVL variant of the Lightning II will replace the Harrier, though it may be at least ten years before it enters service. Pictured is the first F-35B to roll off the production line.
The first STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, BF-1, was rolled out at Fort Worth, Texas, on December 18, 2007.
16 августа 2008г. В США (Форт-Уорт, штат Техас) состоялась выкатка четвертого Lockheed Martin F-35
On August 16, 2008 Lockheed Martin completed the assembly of the fourth Joint Strike Fighter at Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, a short-take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B (BF-2), is expected to make its first flight in 2009. A single Lighting II is undergoing structural tests, while the non-conforming first prototype F-35A (AA-1) and the initial F-35B (BF-1) are involved in the flight test programme, having accumulated 45 and nine flights respectively by mid-August. However, since July 23 AA-1 has apparently been grounded because of faulty cooling fans, while BF-1 reportedly has a software glitch and last flew on July 30. A further six aircraft are in final assembly, while another 14 are in various stages of manufacture. Meanwhile, on August 19, Northrop Grumman completed work on the fuselage barrel of the first F-35C Carrier Variant (CF-1) at Palmdale, California.
F-35B Lightning II BF-05 under the solar array during a diurnal cycle solar load test on October 6, 2014.
The icing tunnel, or ice cloud test fixture, in front of F-35B BF-05 during calibration runs on January 13, 2015.
Ice accretion after three hours of a calibration run on January 25, 2015.
Left: The forward fuselage of BF-05 enveloped in an ice cloud during a calibration run on January 25, 2015. Middle: Water enters the duct at the forward point of the tunnel’s contraction section and is blown through nozzles at the jet where it accretes as ice.
The XTE86/LF1 STOVL performance demonstrator successfully showed how durability enhancements for the STOVL version of the F135 would perform, including improvements in high-pressure turbine blade cooling.
Wikipedia
