External-load ‘ski jump’ trials for F-35B

AN F-35B Lightning II has launched for the first time from the ‘ski jump’ test rig at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, carrying an external load. F-35B BF-02 had a UK-specific mix of Paveway IV and ASRAAM weapons for the trial, which took place in early August. BAE Systems’ chief F-35B test pilot, Peter ‘Wizzer’ Wilson was at the controls. The first shipborne trials of the F-35B aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth are due to begin late next year. The