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10 stunning photos of the UK's first F-35B in action
10 stunning photos of the UK's first F-35B in action
David ChoiJul 9, 2016, 01:30 IST
A F-35B aircraft approaches a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft to re-fuel as it flies over the North Sea having taken off from RAF Fairford on July 1, 2016 in Gloucestershire, England. On Wednesday, the first of Britain's F-35B Lightning II jets was flown by RAF pilot Squadron Leader Hugh Nichols, on its first transatlantic crossing, accompanied by two United States Marine Corps F-35B aircraft from their training base at Beaufort, South Carolina. The combined US/UK team of aircrew and engineers are here in the UK to demonstrate just what the 5th generation state of the art aircraft can do, flying at the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Air Show over the next few weeks. The aircraft are due to enter service with the Royal Navy and RAF from 2018.Matt Cardy/Getty Images
The US isn't the only country that received the world's latest supersonic stealth strike fighter jet.
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The UK's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy have planned to acquire 138 models of the much talked about F-35B Lightning IIs from Lockheed Martin by 2018. Having these F-35Bs would allow the UK to enhance their carrier-strike capabilities with their two new aircraft carriers that were specifically designed to integrate with the unique planes.
In order to get acclimated with the jet, UK pilots have begun training with their counterparts across the pond. Taking off from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, a UK pilot embarked on the transatlantic crossing with the F-35B, while accompanied by two of the US Marine Corps' F-35Bs.
