Published: 29/09/2018

F 35s flying off HMS Queen Elizabeth

Two F-35B Lightning II fighter jets have successfully landed on HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time, laying the foundations for the next 50 years of fixed wing aviation in support of the UK’s Carrier Strike Capability – photo MoD Crown Copyright 2018 ©
Commander Nathan Gray RN, made history by being the first to land on, carefully manoeuvring his stealth jet onto the thermal coated deck – image credited to Lieutenant-Commander Lindsey Waudby RN ©

The first F-35 Lightning fighter jets have landed on the deck of the United Kingdom’s new aircraft carrier, making history and marking the beginning of more than half-a-century of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike operations. On 25 September Commander Nathan Gray, RN, and RAF Squadron Leader Andy Edgell were the first pilots to land their stealth F-35 Lightning fighter jets on board the carrier, demonstrating the potential formidable force HMS Queen Elizabeth and her fleet of jets.