F-35B Advanced flying trials off the east Coast of the United States

During her recent Westlant 2023 deployment, HMS Prince of Wales embarked two F-35Bs of the US Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-23) for a series of developmental flying trials.
This video shows some of the F35 test flying that included:
Take off in 'beast mode' 02:03
Night SRVL 02:18
Day into Night Vertical landing 02.28
Night Vertical landing 03.02
Daytime SRVL (shipborne rolling vertical landing) 03:47
SRVL recovering to the ship carrying weapons 04:06
Landing on the ship while facing aft 04.44
Landing on the ship approaching from the beam 05:19
Vertical take off 6:35
#hmsprinceofwales #RoyalNavy #usnavy #F35
See also:
www.navylookout.com/hms-princ...
Footage: Royal Navy and US Dept of Defense
Music:
Epic Story by MaxKoMusic | maxkomusic.com/
Epic Trailer by LesFM | lesfm.net/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

[@Orbital_Inclination]

Before all the same whingers pile into the comments, the reason these are USMC jets is because they're dedicated test airframes from the Integrated Test Force. They're full of sensors not found on normal production jets, such as the ones operated by the UK, and are used for flight trials like this.

[@jamesthompson2065]

Also, who cares whose jet it is? One of the primary aims and doctrines of NATO and other western aligned nations is inter-operability. So you can have an Italian pilot, in an American jet, taking off and landing on a British carrier during a mission led by a French commander.

[@petersellers9219]

Also, why even keep calling it the Royal navy? NATO force 4 would be more apt.

[@glastonbury4304]

​@@petersellers9219...all navies sail with other countries...the RN constantly has a destroyer sailing with the 6th Fleet...

[@robharris8844U]

Beautiful planes and Beautiful aircraft carriers 🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@SUP_Bigans]

​@@jamesthompson2065France will not fly F 35 and they don't have a vtol carrier...believe me...don't let an italian to drive a carrier (Matapan docet)! I'm italian

[@DaveJMcGarry]

She's absolutely stunning. Great to see pilots have now practised and got used to the slow rolling landing for when planes are still laden after missions.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Those rolling landings (SRVLs) are _sweet_

[@stokesbradley]

So great to see! The carrier looks great and it seems they are really practicing the best ways to utilise the carrier and the F35s together.

[@TS-qc7ny]

Unbelievable power and presence: these ships and their planes and crew are absolute beasts.

[@vincentvoncarnap2473]

I like that it really only uses a tiny bit of afterburner to keep itself in the air.

[@cluckingbells]

Great stuff. The SRVL profile has improved and looks fantastic. Other than receiving the update so our smart weapons can be fully programmed I have one more thing on my wish list. Is there a way to rise or lower the landing gear by 2 ft or so so they can be parked with overlapping wings. On a carrier space is at a premium and making their parked footprint smaller would be a force multiplier. Other than that one wish, well done all and Merry Christmas.

[@Retrosicotte]

They have more than enough space as is

[@paulgoodenough8089]

Well done all involved. Hairy Fairys. Fair play lads. Cracking bit of kit 👌 💪💪👍👍👍

[@davidhouseman4328]

I'm sure they are learning lots but does anyone else get the feeling the pilots are just having fun? Also, those night pictures are sweet.

[@ScienceChap]

If it's fun it's not work. It probably beats working for a living...

[@JBSmoke1]

Beautiful ship!

[@nicksearle3677]

If you squint really hard you can see some of the helicopters on board that were working hard at the same time of the fuel to noise converters. Especially the SAR cover. The carriers are not just a one track pony

[@Chuck59ish]

If Sydney Camm, the designer of the P.1127 Kestrel was still alive today, I would what he would think of the F-35B Lightning II flying off of HMS Prince of Wales? Probably be damn proud of what his design had become I think.

[@frank-ko6de]

Hopefully, he would realize that jump ramp is rubbish and inefficient, especially for deploying planes at a high rate with maximum munitions. and That those are American planes, not British. But, carry on with your deludedness.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

​​​@@frank-ko6dethe F-35B can take off from the QE without a ski ramp, with a full load. However, the ski ramp shortens the takeoff run required, so allows for simultaneous takeoff and landing ops. It's not inefficient at all. The B variant can also carry a greater payload than the C variant. The UK also had significant input into the F-35 (approx 15% of components across the 3 variants, far higher on the B variant shown here), including the entire STOVL system which is produced by Rolls Royce.

[@Chuck59ish]

@@frank-ko6de The British and other use the jump ramp because they don't want the complexity of the catapult system that Americans and French use. VTOL and STOL aircraft don't need catapults, you just steer in the wind and go balls to wall and launch your aircraft. The American Marine carriers don't have catapults either.

[@frank-ko6de]

@@Orbital_Inclination So, by your definition of efficiency, a ramp can produce the same amount of sorties as a catapult system, is that what you're saying?

[@frank-ko6de]

@@Chuck59ish It's because they can't produce the same level of complexities, not because they don't want or need.

[@j.m.youngquist419]

That is a beautiful aircraft carrier

[@1chish]

Blimey those RAF / USMC test pilots were pulling all the stops out - SRVL, STOVL, backwards, forwards, sideways ... These are the hard yards that develop safe envelopes for the fighter pilots to go and fight better. Well done each.

[@frank-ko6de]

not a single RAF pilot, just all USMC. stop with the deludedness, its becoming pathetic

[@ZuulGatekeeper]

@@frank-ko6de F35 test team from the Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) made up of both US & UK personnel but all aircraft are USMC flagged regardless who fly's them. Those F35's are 'orange wired' test aircraft packed with all kinds of sensors for later data analysis.

[@danhodson7187]

@@ZuulGatekeeper 🤣 schooled!

[@frank-ko6de]

@@ZuulGatekeeper the stars and bars roundel indicates that those are American planes. British plane will always have a target roundel with blue center. Stop with the deluded nonsense narrative. Its bordering on hystericaled mental illness.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

​@@frank-ko6deUS aircraft can be manned by RAF/RN personnel, and vice versa.

[@colingoldthorpe5918]

At least this way the jets are multi capable just like the Harriers were back in the day. We used to make portable runways and landing areas in Germany. There was no way the Tornado could do what the harrier could do in the close support role.

[@lintu25]

Nice nice and nice.

[@ricky1231]

Fabulous capability You always tailor these to the size of your defence budget 😊😅❤

[@elmerdelgado5835]

♥️♥️♥️

[@Nebulous361]

Was that a real vertical take off at 6:35 or a vertical landing on rewind xD? Great video, just wish we had more and with the pilots to fly them!

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Looks like a real VTOL to me, not sure why they would bother practising that though.

[@willw8011]

It has always been able to takeoff vertically, with limited weight. Add some 2,000 pound JDAM and a full load of fuel, then probably not.

[@jpracing893]

Hopefully they get fitted with EMALS in the future, especially for the tempest program. But definitely need more F35B having such an empty flight deck looks underwhelming. She also needs her own anti air missile system, I know the T45’s are AAW ships but good to have as a last line of defence along with CIWIS

[@Orbital_Inclination]

Tempest isn't going to be carrier based, as it's the Typhoon replacement. The UK has ~40 F-35s, but only embarks jets when they're actually required. There are more on order and even more fully funded, awaiting order, but the Lockheed Martin production line has a lot of orders to fill and only a finite output.

[@teecee1567]

Sorry to appear dumb...but I assimed that squarish panel that is vertical as the f35 takes off...was an airbrake...but why would you deploy an airbrake...on take off? Is it an airbrake

[@photoisca7386]

The door covers a lift fan run from the main engine. Having a chunk of material that big sticking up when taking off cant be great but that's how it works.

[@sirjackmarr1099]

Don't worry @teecee1567, it is a fairly common mistake to make when discussing the F-35B. The 'speedbrake' is the cover for the lift-fan, this is the secondary propulsion system location just behind the cockpit that provides lift to the forward half of the fusalage whilst the main engine nozzle (when rotated down 90 degrees downards) provides for the rear half. That cover helps to divert clean air into the lift-fan during operations.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

At low speed it doesnt cause much drag, and acts as a really effective ram air scoop to increase thrust from the lift fan ​@@photoisca7386

[@davidhouseman4328]

​@photoisca7386 they actuallly had them opening to the side of the original X35 but found funneling the air into the lift fan worked better

[@johnferris1913]

I wonder if American pilots, when they return home for debriefing, ask why the heck US LHAs don't have ski-jumps?

[@davidhouseman4328]

They have a clear reason, and it's the H in LHA. The LHAs are for deploying marines first, and the ramp would take up a landing spot.

[@johnferris1913]

@@davidhouseman4328 A ramp the size as on the QEs might lose a spot but a smaller one needn't and any ramp is better than none. And don't forget the A in LHA.

[@davidhouseman4328]

@johnferris1913 the assault comes from amphibious assault, its the same reasoning, the ships are for marines first. I'm not arguing it the best choice, only that the USMC has long been aware of ramps and they decided it was the best choice.

[@Retrosicotte]

By and large they have no need for it. They prefer the extra space for helos, they prefer congress not seeing them too much as carriers, and they already have apt carrier cover for what they lose from it anyway.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

In addition to the other comments, marine fast jets are primarily there to assist marines in littoral assaults, so range isn't as much of an issue. Therefore, they just sacrifice fuel for payload where needed.

[@halimtalafuka9946]

0:12

[@jmcw9632]

Terrifying.

[@DanniChan_Worldwide]

Another strike platform for Marine aviation! RIP BHR!

[@Orbital_Inclination]

The USMC aircraft in this clip is a test aircraft from the combined UK/US Integrated Test Force. It is conducting trials to expand the operating envelope for all F-35Bs that embark on POW, regardless of nation.

[@lintu25]

btw. Did you know that we are at war England and Finland even we are at NATO? Britain declared war on Finland 5 December 1941.

[@capmultser]

If only we had bought more F35BS instead of the billions wasted on the Ajax program. I suppose Corruption comes before defence.

[@davidhouseman4328]

That would leave the army even worse off when they're already loosing warrior.

[@capmultser]

What army.? The way it's being dwindled down by the M.O.D. cutbacks they will be armed with pitchforks soon.@@davidhouseman4328

[@Retrosicotte]

Both AFVs and jets are required. It's not one or the other.

[@Belisarius1967]

@@capmultser The Army budget is larger than the budget for either the RAF or RN. The problem with the Army is not in it's budget.

[@EliLanger1]

terrible music ruined it

[@eyeofthetiger6002]

What a sight the F35B is,simply the most advanced fighter out there bar none, if only Ukraine had them, Putin will have raised the white flag long ago! 😂

[@OldskoolCatflap]

Oh dear, another one who’s been drinking the Ukraine cool aid…

[@Retrosicotte]

oh dear, another Russian bot.@@OldskoolCatflap

[@OldskoolCatflap]

@@Retrosicotte Far from it actually. I’m just not so deluded that I believe Ukraine has a cat in hell’s chance of victory against Russia. But if you still want to jerk off to the prospect, go right ahead…

[@PotatoSalad614]

stuck in trench warfare still?

[@MBO84]

Should've bought the F35C

[@photoisca7386]

With no means to launch them? Great thinking. The EMALS wasn't near to being ready in time to be included.

[@MBO84]

@photoisca7386 The original design of the carriers included F35C and means to launch and recover.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

​@@MBO84the original design of the carriers left space for catapults to be retrofitted at a later date, but did not actually include them. The government tried to change the plans mid way through construction, before realising it would cost a fortune, and deprive Rolls Royce of a lot of work.

[@luciussander8217]

Clueless

[@Markus117d]

​@Sassanach Did you know that the new Ford class carriers can't as yet operate the F35c, Due to not yet having the F35c certified for use with the carriers Emals systems. And that won't be completed of at least another couple of years.. people complain in the UK about the F35b It's perceived down sides compared to the other varients ( Without considering it's upsides ) And the lack ( As yet of enough of them ) But at least we can use our advanced stealth fighters with our advanced carriers.. Lol..

[@anignorantbrit]

I hear the MoD is now reviewing the option on converting these to CATOBAR. The B Variant will be then handed over to the RAF where the Navy would then purchase additional C variants. Be great if that happened, but with our politicians it is more likely they will be converted to a channel ferry or a cruise liner.

[@admiralmallard7500]

No the catapults would be for Drones and UAVs, or if they did a full conversion, for a sucessor to the F35 as the carriers will be around 50 years. Better to focus on the F35B and increase those numbers. Our pilots know how to use them and were getting our weapons onto them eventually, rather than starting from scratch with the F35C

[@Orbital_Inclination]

​not to mention, having a mixed fleet of F-35 variants would be very expensive as the commonality in airframe design and parts between the B and C is minimal. The F-35B in solely RAF service also makes no sense, as the entire purpose of the STOVL capability is for carrier ops.

[@1chish]

@welshguy-2023 - Sorry Taffy but you haven't heard any such thing. You are just flying kites as this is what you WANT to happen. But then your last line gives your attitude away. No: Bs will stay with the RAF / FAA squadrons. The RAF does not want or need As. The Cs offer less weapon load and are more expensive to buy EMALS does not work yet.

[@anignorantbrit]

@@admiralmallard7500 not necessarily if the conversion does happen. Considering the C variant will likely be around for decades too it is not impossible in us acquiring that aircraft also.

[@anignorantbrit]

@@Orbital_Inclination But we would already own the aircraft. So if we did switch the carriers to CATOBAR, the options would be to sell them off, operate them in the navy or hand them over to the RAF who are already flying them. They could even cannibalise them to replace parts that are compatible with the other variant for spare parts. Which the UK has done before with other hardware.

[@johndyson4109]

I don't know but the 35 has still not proven itself in combat. We are not sure weather the block 4 upgrades are going yo be worth all the money.. On paper maybe but in actual combat? The 35 has been around for awhile, it's STILL being tested... Let's hope all the money dumped into the 35 is worth it. Pratt & Whitney and G.E. haven't even developed the adaptive cycle engines yet for the block 4 engine upgrade! Ugg this 35 project to me is getting out of hand. They want to retire the 22 bt 2030 also!!! Lol..

[@matthewpayne42]

When is this carrier going have a deck full of aircraft. The Russians are laughing at us.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

Why would the Russians be laughing? Their only carrier makes ours look like a fully fledged US carrier group 😂

[@eagle_rb_mmoomin_418]

When it’s actually on an operational deployment. This was a test and learn exercise to define operating envelope. When HMS QE went east of Suez on deployment a USMC squadron and RAF squadron were on board.

[@tylerdurden4006]

"Flying trials" even though it is how many decades old? Lmfao murica!!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@Orbital_Inclination]

She was commissioned 4 years ago and was declared fully operational 2 years ago. These trials are for capabilities to expand her operating envelope. Ships go through trials throughout their whole lifespans, as new technologies or capabilities are added. In this case, the new tech as a lighting system to aid in shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL)

[@captainbuggernut9565]

The RN is no more in my opinion. To refer to half empty aircraft carriers, 6 destroyers and a handful of elderly frigates as a navy is a joke. NATO has done to this countries defence what the EU did to its economy. Made it lazy and insignificant. Its pains me to say it too. Especially since its our fault and no one elses.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

NATO hasn't done anything to the UK. Decisions on UK defence lie solely with the UK Govt.

[@halimtalafuka9946]

0:21

[@halimtalafuka9946]

0:29