Page 53 - Renorming of Airpower: The F-35 Enters the Combat Fleet

The Renorming of Airpower: The F-35 Arrives into the Combat Force

I also think from a pilot’s perspective, being on the deck in my F-35, being able to see in my cockpit what is
going on in the battle space, because my brothers in their F-35s already in the operational battlespace have
sent information back to me, I think that’s really exciting as well.

FIGURE 11 THE SKI JUMP ON THE QUEEN ELIZABETH CARRIER AS SEEN DURING A VISIT TO THE CARRIER IN SCOTLAND IN MARCH 2015 BY
SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE.

We are no longer launching into the unknown.
We can see what’s happening.
We understand what we’re going off to go and do, but we can see the real-time situation in the battle space
before we launch off the deck. A significant operational benefit.”
Question: The impact of the global fleet of F-35s is significant as well in shaping enhanced capability for
the Queen Elizabeth-F-35 enabled air system as well.
How do you see the impact of the F-35 global enterprise on the RAF?
Group Captain Townsend: “There are many benefits. Not just in terms of training alongside each other and
seeing the TTP developments, but practically when you’re in the battle space, how much information can you
get from all of these different F-35 partners that are out there.
Broadening that question a little bit further, being part of the global platform and global sustainment, what
are the opportunities there about not having to take all logistics with you?
What can you do to leverage off an Italian ship that’s nearby that might have the particular part that you
need but you might not have it because you haven’t had to take anything forwards.
There’s an awful lot of questions being raised and a lot of opportunities available about being part of this
global platform.
Again, this is something that we in the U.K. have never done before and there are a number of lessons
ahead.”

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