Fri, Oct 31, 2014
Contract Expecte To Be In Place 'Within Weeks'
The U.K. Ministry of Defense has agreed to order 4 Lightning II combat aircraft. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon has announced that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) has reached an agreement in principle on an order for the first production batch of four Lightning II stealth combat aircraft.
It is expected that a formal contract for the F-35B aircraft will be in place within weeks. The contract will form part of the MOD’s investment in Lightning II over the next 5 years to procure an initial 14 of these multi-role fifth generation aircraft, together with the necessary support arrangements and infrastructure. The aircraft will operate from both the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers and RAF land bases.
The UK has already taken delivery of three Lightning II aircraft, with another one due to be delivered in 2016. These are being used for testing and evaluation and are currently in the US. The UK’s first operational Squadron in the UK will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk in 2018, which will become their Main Operating Base.
"Today’s announcement is a major step forward. The Lightning II will equip the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force with a highly advanced multi-role stealth combat aircraft, operating from both our new Queen Elizabeth class carriers and land bases," Fallon said.
"These aircraft will form part of the first UK-based squadron of F-35s, which will take up station at RAF Marham in 2018. This program is also bringing substantial industrial benefits to the UK, providing thousands of skilled jobs in the UK aerospace industry."
It is anticipated that the contract will be finalized in the coming weeks, which will allow deliveries of the aircraft, within the contract, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, to commence from mid 2016.
Bernard Gray, the MOD’s Chief of Defense Materiel, said the aircraft provide an important step on the path to rebuilding the UK’s carrier strike capability. "They feature short take off and vertical landing and the latest stealth and intelligence surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance technology."
(Image from file)
More News
Maximum Authorized Altitude A published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on >[...]
Aero Linx: Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) The Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) is the Training and Safety arm of the Soaring Society of America (SSA). Our mission is to provide ins>[...]
From 2013 (YouTube Version): Dracula Lives On Through Kyle Franklin... and We're NOT Scared! ANN CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Campbell speaks with Aerobatic and airshow master, Kyl>[...]
“For Montaer Aircraft it is a very prudent move to incorporate such reliable institution as Ocala Aviation, with the background of decades in training experience and aviation>[...]
Also: ForeFlight Upgrades, Cicare USA, Vittorazi Engines, EarthX We have a number of late-breaking news highlights from the 2024 Innovation Preview... which was PACKED with real ne>[...]