Page 8 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

NEWS United Kingdom

UK still
considering
alternative
F-35 variants

AN ALTERNATIVE variant
of the F-35 Lightning II
may still be purchased
by the UK, in addition
to the short take-off
and vertical landing
(STOVL) F-35B already
on order. The clearest,
most recent indication of
this possibility was given
in Parliament on July 12
by Earl Howe, Minister
of State for Defence, in
response to an earlier
written question from
the Marquess of Lothian
RAF T-6 submitted on July 5.
The Marquess had asked
whether the government
remains committed to
visits UK the purchase of 138
F-35Bs. Earl Howe stated
in his reply: “As part of
the Strategic Defence
Martin Brown
and Security Review in
THE FIRST T-6C for the registration N2824B, the to RIAT. The aircraft awarded to Ascent Flight 2015, we reaffirmed our
Royal Air Force, T-6C aircraft is seen on July returned to Beechcraft Training. Affinity has commitment to procure
ZM323 (c/n PM-110) 12, when it took part in in Wichita, Kansas been appointed by Ascent 138 F-35 Lightning II
arrived at Glasgow Airport a photo shoot during a immediately after its to provide and maintain aircraft. The first tranche
on July 9 en route to the low-level sortie over Lake Fairford appearance. the aircraft. The first of 48 aircraft will be of the
Royal International Air Vyrnwy in Wales. The The UK has ten T-6Cs example for the RAF made F-35B variant, which will
Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Texan II was on its way on order as part of the its maiden flight on May be jointly operated by the
Gloucestershire. from London Oxford Military Flying Training 23 (see First T-6 for RAF Royal Air Force and Royal
Still wearing US test Airport (Kidlington) System (MFTS) contract takes flight, July, p8). Navy, and capable of
operating from both land
Release to Sea Kings return to fl ight and the Queen Elizabeth-
class aircraft carriers. The
service for decision on the variant of
subsequent tranches of
Prefect TWO RETIRED former Lightning will be taken at
Fleet Air Arm Sea King
the appropriate time.”
In July 2012 the MOD said
AFFINITY FLYING Training HU5s are being returned an initial 48 F-35Bs would
to flight in order to
Services has received train aircrew for the be purchased. Although
military release to German Marineflieger noting that the final total
service approval for (German Naval Aviation), would be determined
the G 120TP Prefect which has a fleet of in the 2015 SDSR, it
elementary trainer. The 21 Sea King Mk41s. was suggested that the
approval, which was The Royal Navy conventional take-off
granted in July 11, “marks announced on July 27 that and landing F-35A variant
the start of the service the helicopters, used for may be bought to replace
provision by Affinity to search and rescue (SAR) the RAF’s Typhoons.
the UK Military Flying missions by 771 Naval Air When the SDSR was
Training System,” said Squadron at Royal Naval published that November
Iain Chalmers, Managing Air Station Culdrose, it was confirmed that
Director of Affinity Flying Cornwall, until their the final total would
Training Services – a joint retirement in April 2016, be 138, as originally
venture involving Elbit are being refurbished planned, but there was
Systems and KBR. The by the MOD and should no further mention of
Prefect will be operated be active again shortly. alternative variants.
from the RAF Barkston They are being leased To date the UK has
Heath and RAF Cranwell to HeliOperations UK Above: Former Royal Navy Sea King HU5 XV666 carrying out taken delivery of ten
in Lincolnshire. A total so that this company ground runs at RNAS Culdrose in preparation for its return F-35Bs. The UK expects
to fl ight. Most of its military markings are removed but it
of 23 aircraft are being can train German Navy retains its SAR colour scheme. Royal Navy/RNAS Culdrose to achieve initial operating
acquired, of which aircrew in SAR skills. Both have been its last flight restoring it to operational capability with the type
around half are currently Sea Kings will remain as on April 11, 2016, when it condition. In late July it in December 2018,
in the UK. The first UK military aircraft, but was flown to HMS Sultan, had begun ground runs following which a carrier
ab initio students will will be operated from Gosport, Hampshire, for at Culdrose and was strike capability will be
begin training on the HeliOperations’ UK base storage pending disposal. expected to be re-flown available from 2020.
aircraft next January. at Portland, Dorset, On January 24, this year, soon afterwards. The The first 24 aircraft are
The aircraft is replacing until September 2018. it was returned to RNAS identity of the second scheduled to be in service
the Tutor T1 under the The first of the two, Culdrose, where the helicopter has not by 2023, with all 48 due
Military Flying Training XV666, had made what Merlin Depth Maintenance yet been confirmed. to be delivered by January
System programme. was then expected to Facility has since been Dave Allport 2025. Dave Allport

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