October 23, 2012 Official Blog of the UK MOD – defpro.com
An article in the latest Sunday Times entitled 'Naval carriers face being without jets for most of year' claims that the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers may regularly be without aircraft because of a 'row' between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force over how to operate the jets.
This article misrepresents the reality. Both Services have a long-agreed approach to the joint operation of this highly capable, fifth-generation stealth aircraft. Lightning II will be operated by both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force as part of the UK's carrier strike capability and as a replacement for the GR4 Tornado. The first UK test aircraft have been delivered and are undergoing flight trials in the US.
The aircraft will conduct initial flights off HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2018, which will routinely deploy with Lightning II jets embarked with pilots from both Services, providing a step-change in capability compared to the Harrier fleet.
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