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Fighter jets join forces with British aircraft carrier to make history

F-35 Lightning II Pax River ITF

Sept. 25, 2018 | 1:07

Two F-35B Lightning II fighter jets successfully landed onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time, Sept. 25, 2018, laying the foundations for the next 50 years of fixed wing aviation in support of the UK’s Carrier Strike Capability.

Royal Navy Commander Nathan Gray made history by being the first to land on, carefully manoeuvring his stealth jet onto the thermal coated deck. He was followed by Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Andy Edgell. Gray and Edgell are test pilots with the F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF) based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

Shortly afterwards, once a deck inspection has been conducted and the all-clear given, Gray became the first pilot to take off using the ship’s ski-ramp.