The countdown to the international debut of the F-35 has officially begun with the first release on Farnborough Air Royal International, in the United Kingdom. The Pentagon reports that the first three F-35Bs took off a few hours ago. The two F-35A will be transported tomorrow instead. According to schedule, only the Marine Corps F-35B should fly.
The Air Force note reads: "Both the F-35A and the F-35B will appear at the military fair of the Royal International Air Tattoo in the United Kingdom. The planes, during the show, will carry out some maneuvers and will be revealed to the public in static display ”.
The Air Force also states that "due to lack of space in the Farnborough hangars, the F-35A will return home at the end of the event". The F-35A will not take part in the Farnborough aerial maneuvers, due to the lack of operational certification.
In the 2014, the F-35B's debut was canceled due to an engine fire on an Air Force F-35A. The accident determined the grounding of the entire fleet. Only the F-35B will perform demonstration flights with the Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force and of vertical landings on the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier. An in-flight refueling with a KC-130 is also provided.
The F-35B will not be deployed at Farnborough, but at the Fairford base: they will take off during the events according to schedule and then return to the base. While not demonstrating anything in terms of combat capabilities, the F-35B in flight want to deliver a clear message regarding the reliability achieved by the platform, able to fly across the Atlantic.
After Farnborough Air Royal International, the F-35B will also fly toAir Tattoo.
(photo: Lockheed Martin)
