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HMS Prince of Wales carries 24 UK F-35s
The largest number of UK F-35B Lightning jets ever assembled on either of the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers has been deployed to the Mediterranean for a major allied exercise.
Flagship HMS Prince of Wales now carries 24 British F-35 jets as she leads the UK Carrier Strike Group in the Med after five months operating in the Indo-Pacific.
That is the highest number of the fifth-generation fighters ever seen on either of the Royal Navy’s Queen-Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
The jets – from 809 Naval Air Squadron and 617 Squadron – are there for Italian-led drills – named Exercise Falcon Strike, which will see allied work together on a large-scale air and maritime exercise supporting NATO.
Training with the Italian, US and Greek Air Force, UK jets will take part in day and night training scenarios during Falcon Strike, strengthening NATO’s air capabilities, deterring adversaries and boosting the alliance’s security.
Back in the Mediterranean: HMS Prince of Wales carries the largest number of UK F-35s
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the Carrier Strike Group, said in a Royal Navy news release: “It is fantastic to be back in the Mediterranean after a hugely successful period in the Indo-Pacific and a transit of the Red Sea.
“The upcoming exercises with NATO allies will be a real demonstration of the warfighting readiness of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
“The eight-month deployment covers over 26,000 nautical miles and engages with 40 nations, reinforcing the UK’s position as a leading European power delivering fifth-generation aircraft and carrier capabilities assigned as a primary contribution to NATO.”
Joining the Carrier Strike Group for the latest leg of the eight-month deployment is Italian frigate ITS Luigi Rizzo, which joins the 4,000-strong force alongside Norwegian and British warships.
The Carrier Strike Group returned to the Mediterranean through the Red Sea and Suez Canal after five months of operations in the Indo-Pacific.
HMS Prince of Wales stopped in Souda Bay in Crete, where Captain Will Blackett handed over the role of Commanding Officer to new incumbent Captain Ben Power.
Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond has been operating with the Greek Navy on anti-submarine warfare exercises, while Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless has also been in Souda Bay – carrying out a remembrance service at the Commonwealth Graves.
The Lightning
The RAF F-35B Lightning is a stealth aircraft operating alongside the Typhoon. A multi-role machine, Lightning is capable of conducting air-to-surface, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering and air-to-air missions simultaneously.
The Lightning has advanced sensors, mission systems and low- observable technology, otherwise known as stealth, that allows it to operate undetected in hostile environments. Using the integrated sensors, the pilot is provided with unprecedented situational awareness of the battle space.
The pilot is then able to share this information with other platforms using secure data links, or use this information to employ its weapons or electronic attack capability. Lightning is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft that can operate from aircraft carriers and in austere environments. 617 Squadron reformed as the first front-line Lightning squadron in 2018, comprising RN and RAF personnel, followed by 207 Squadron – the Operational Conversion unit – in 2019. Lightning achieved its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in December 2018 and became IOC (Maritime) in December 2020.
HMS Prince of wales
HMS Prince of wales is a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and it is one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK.
Her flight deck is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches – and she holds 45 days’ worth of food in stores.
She will have a crew complement (minimum crew) of around 700, increasing to around 1,600 with aircraft onboard.
HMS Prince of Wales’ size and scope is awe-inspiring – she can embark 36 F-35B and four Merlin Helicopters.
HMS Prince of Wales’ crew will have an expansive range of skills, so she will be able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world, including:
- High intensity warfighting
- Fighting terrorism
- Humanitarian relief, saving lives across the seven seas
Photo credit: Crown Copyright
