Page 42 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH

Squadron is expected to embark on HMS
Queen Elizabeth for a series of squadron-level
operational test and evaluation exercises, to
prove the warfighting tactics and procedures
needed to operate a significant number of
F-35Bs from the ship. The following year,
the operational envelope will be pushed
further still via a full task-group-level
operational trial that will bring together a
squadron of F-35Bs, anti-submarine and
airborne early warning Merlins, surface
warships, supply vessels and shore-based
air power. If successful, this test will allow
the Royal Navy to declare carrier strike IOC.
The importance of success
In its report into the carrier strike project
published in March 2017, the NAO spending
watchdog said that the timescale for realising
the new carrier strike plan was “ambitious”
and fraught with what it termed “risk”, which
could either lead to delays or cost overruns. If
key test milestones are missed then knock-on
delays could impact other parts of the project.
The tight nature of the test programme was
highlighted by the NAO when it revealed that
the former Prime Minister David Cameron
HMS ‘Queen Elizabeth’ at had asked the Royal Navy to consider using
the start her four-month- the carrier for emergency combat operations
long contractor trials before 2020. However, the Navy responded
programme in June.
that this was unadvisable because it would
controls are automated and they have into flames as soon as a jet tries to land,” he have “safety implications” and could end
been repeatedly practised in simulations. said. “What we are interested in is working up delaying the project even further.
A lot of the early work will involve proving out how long the coating will last and what The NAO also reported that many enabling
that the computer simulations of flight type of maintenance regime we need to capabilities had not yet been confirmed
operations are valid and will look at the put in place to maintain its effectiveness.” or even contracted. This included the
environmental impact of operating the F-35B The flight trials off the east coast of additional equipment and training required
over the deck. The carrier deck will have the US will involve test-instrumented to enable US Marine Corps F-35Bs to
to cope with 1,500-degree centigrade heat aircraft to collect the required data, rather operate from the UK carriers and vice-
from the F-35B’s engine. The original coating than operational examples from No versa, sufficient weapons for the Lightning
did not pass muster and a new Thermal 617 Squadron at MCAS Beaufort, South IIs and the helicopters to be embarked
Metal Spray System, consisting of a metallic Carolina. The first batch of pilots and on the carriers, the maritime intra-theatre
compound of aluminium and titanium, has ground personnel are in training there lift capability (known as carrier onboard
since been applied to important parts of ahead of the unit’s return to RAF Marham, delivery – COD) to move people and goods
Queen Elizabeth’s flight deck. One officer Norfolk, next summer. By the end of 2018, to and from shore, and tactical datalinks.
described this as a “science project” because nine aircraft should be at Marham, which
until a jet actually tries to land on the ship will enable initial operational capability Naval air power future
no one will know what will happen. “We are (IOC) to be declared by the squadron. If the next three years’ worth
pretty confident the deck is not going to burst In the summer/autumn of 2019, No 617 of trials and testing go
Right: The first
aviation arrival on
deck; an 820 NAS
Merlin HMA2
lands on
July 3.

Above: The carrier will return to Rosyth after the initial period of trials before a second set of evaluations
takes place designed to test ‘warfighting’ elements.

42 // SEPTEMBER 2017 #354 www.airforcesmonthly.com