As training with the recent F-35B Lightning II stealth aircraft continues in Florida, USA, a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot has described how impressed he’s with the ‘game-changing’ jet.
Flight Lieutenant Hugh Nichols completed his first sortie within the next-generation stealth fighter at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, Usa earlier this month.
The Lightning II aircraft, at the side of the Typhoon FGR4, will provide the RAF combat air component necessary to UK defence.
Flt Lt Nichols,the primary RAF No 1 Group pilot to fly the aircraft, said: “This is a notable step inside the Lightning II story and person who marks an actual shift in emphasis from development to employment.
“We’re also just beginning to train the primary No. 1 Group engineers here at Eglin, that’s another important milestone inside the development of the united kingdom aspect of the programme.
“Lightning II’s advanced mission system sensors have done nothing but impress me thus far and i’ve certainly that this aircraft will deliver strategic, game-changing capabilities in future defence scenarios.
“To be the 1st No. 1 Group operational pilot is both an honour and a privilege and that i sit up for helping arise No. 617 (The Dambusters) Sqn in 2016 and bringing the jet back to the united kingdom in 2018.”
Three UK pilots and 13 engineers from the RAF and Royal Navy are learning to function the aircraft at Eglin under a partnering agreement with the us Marine Corps, as a part of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501.Another 12 engineers recently arrived at Eglin for 5 months of trade training on the Lightning Academic Training Centre ahead of being posted to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina, and Edwards Air Force Base, California, in mid-2014.
Lightning II may be the UK’s 5th generation short take-off and vertical landing Joint Strike Asset. The multi-role supersonic stealth aircraft is planned to accomplish initial operating capability in a land-based role from RAF Marham in 2018 and, alongside the Royal Navy, aboard the longer term HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in 2020.
Flt Lt Nichols, who’s 35 and was born in Epsom, Surrey, joined the RAF in April 2000 and has flown the Hawk and Harrier GR9 aircraft, in addition flying the F-16CJ on exchange with the U.S. Air Force.
He will go directly to qualify as an F35B Instructor Pilot and could remain on VMFAT-501 Sqn until the united kingdom stands up its first squadron at MCAS Beaufort in 2016.
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