Another post on John's Naval, Marine and other Service news
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A jointly manned RAF and Royal Navy 'Dambusters' squadron will be the first take delivery of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the Chief of the Air Staff has confirmed.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton announced that the RAF's 617 Squadron, famously known as the Dambusters, would disband in April 2014 as part of a drawdown of Tornado jets.
The squadron is to then reform in 2016 with both RAF and Royal Navy personnel when it will begin to receive the F-35 aircraft, also know as the Joint Strike Fighter.
"I am delighted to announce that 617 Squadron's outstanding contribution to the United Kingdom's air power, past and present, will unequivocally continue when it reforms as the UK's first operational F-35B Lightning II squadron," said Dalton.
"The Lightning's state-of-the-art stealth and precision target capabilities and the battle-proven Typhoon Force will complement each other and set the baseline for UK combat intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance air power as a contemporary global force for the 2020s and beyond.
"Lightning will be operated jointly by Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm pilots from land or from the Queen Elizabeth Class carrier – overall, a hugely flexible and futuristic joint capability."
The F-35 aircraft is the most expensive fighter in the world. But it is not without its controversy and despite assurances from the Ministry of Defence that the aircraft will be fit for duty by its in service date, it has been criticised over design issues and potential weaknesses.
RAF and Royal Navy 'Dambusters' will be first to get F-35 jets
18 July 2013Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton announced that the RAF's 617 Squadron, famously known as the Dambusters, would disband in April 2014 as part of a drawdown of Tornado jets.
The squadron is to then reform in 2016 with both RAF and Royal Navy personnel when it will begin to receive the F-35 aircraft, also know as the Joint Strike Fighter.
"I am delighted to announce that 617 Squadron's outstanding contribution to the United Kingdom's air power, past and present, will unequivocally continue when it reforms as the UK's first operational F-35B Lightning II squadron," said Dalton.
"The Lightning's state-of-the-art stealth and precision target capabilities and the battle-proven Typhoon Force will complement each other and set the baseline for UK combat intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance air power as a contemporary global force for the 2020s and beyond.
"Lightning will be operated jointly by Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm pilots from land or from the Queen Elizabeth Class carrier – overall, a hugely flexible and futuristic joint capability."
The F-35 aircraft is the most expensive fighter in the world. But it is not without its controversy and despite assurances from the Ministry of Defence that the aircraft will be fit for duty by its in service date, it has been criticised over design issues and potential weaknesses.
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