RAF F-35B role demo announced for 2024 season
In 2024, the Royal Air Force announced its intention to present a spectacular demonstration of the F-35B Lightning II's capabilities. The demonstration will showcase the aircraft's advanced features and role in the force, providing an opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to witness the power and precision of this cutting-edge fighter jet.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) has announced that it will showcase its F-35B aircraft in a full-role demonstration at the Royal International Air Tattoo on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st of July, as well as other UK events. This marks a significant moment for the RAF, as it has only made limited airshow appearances with its F-35s in the past.
It is not yet known how many events the F-35B role demonstration will attend. Nonetheless, this is a significant moment for the RAF and aviation enthusiasts who will have the opportunity to witness this powerful and capable aircraft in action.
RAF F-35B hovering at Air Tattoo 2023
Previously, a joint team of US Marine Corps and Royal Air Force aircraft and pilots performed solo displays at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2016. Since then, RAF jets have performed flypasts and hover demonstrations at the Royal International Air Tattoo, the Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow, and the RAF Cosford Airshow. However, these appearances were not considered full-role demonstrations as they consisted of just two to three passes.
The Dambusters will provide one of their F-35Bs to appear in the flying display on Saturday and Sunday at this year's Air Tattoo. The performance will be a more dynamic mini-display than we have seen during previous appearances and will provide an opportunity for spectators to see the capabilities of this advanced aircraft up close and witness its impressive manoeuvrability and speed.
The role demonstration will last for approximately ten minutes and will showcase a range of manoeuvres typically flown during operations and combat, including fast and slow passes, high-G turns, opening of the internal weapons bay, and hovering manoeuvres. Unlike a full airshow display, a role demonstration is non-aerobatic, making it less training-intensive.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an advanced, fifth-generation stealth fighter that has been designed to replace older 3rd and 4th-generation combat aircraft such as the A-10, F-16, Harrier, Jaguar, and Hornet in NATO and allied nation service. The F-35 was developed from the X-35, which won the Joint Strike Fighter competition against the Boeing X-32.
The F-35 has been produced in three different base variants, including a standard land-based fighter version (F-35A), a Short Take Off and Vertical Land version (F-35B), and a carrier-based catapult and arrestor hook version (F-35C). All of these variants utilize a common internal configuration and software setup. The F-35 is capable of carrying weapons both on external wing pylons and in an internal weapons bay, which increases its stealth capabilities. The aircraft is also fitted with an advanced 360-degree optical system that can identify missiles or stealth aircraft approaching that would otherwise go undetected. This system provides the pilot with a clear and accurate view of the surrounding airspace, and the feed can also be sent to the pilot's advanced helmet, allowing them to remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
The UK was the only Level One partner in the multi-national team that developed the F-35, giving the country better access to the technology being used in the aircraft. This allowed the UK to influence the final capabilities of the aircraft to better suit its needs, especially from a weapons perspective. As a result, the F-35 is being cleared to carry UK-specific weapons, such as the ASRAAM and Meteor air-to-air missiles.
Initially, the UK had planned to order a fleet of 138 F-35Bs, which were to be split between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. However, due to budget constraints, the final order will likely stand at around 74. To date, the UK has ordered 48 aircraft, with more expected in the coming years. The F-35B is currently flown by 17 Squadron at Edwards AFB in California and by 617 Squadron (the Dambusters), 207 Squadron, and 809 Naval Air Squadron at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
