Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • F-35 makes milestone reverse landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth

Defence

F-35 makes milestone reverse landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth

For the first time a jet has landed backwards on Britain’s new aircraft carrier as HMS Queen Elizabeth and her F-35 Lightnings pass another milestone.


Courtesy Royal Navy

RAF test pilot Squadron Leader Andy Edgell flew his specially-adapted stealth fighter facing the stern, not bow, before bringing the jet to a hover, slipping it over the huge flight deck and gently setting it down.

The ‘back-to-front’ manoeuvre, described as “like driving the wrong way down a one-way street” is intended to give pilots and the flight deck team more options to safely land the state-of-the-art stealth fighter in an emergency.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

During her maiden jet trials off the eastern coast of the USA, the ship has already completed conventional landings (with the pilot/aircraft facing the bow) and a rolling landing (the Lightning approaches the flight deck at low speed and gently rolls to a halt, without the need for arrestor wires).

The wrong-way landing was a slightly surreal experience, said Squadron Leader Edgell. “It was briefly bizarre to bear down on the ship and see the waves parting on the bow as you fly an approach aft facing.

“It was also a unique opportunity fly towards the ship, stare at the bridge, and wonder what the captain is thinking.”

Once alongside the landing spot however, the act of setting the F-35 down is almost identically – except for nudging the jet left, not right – and “the aircraft handled beautifully.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

HMS Queen Elizabeth is coming to the end of nine weeks of intensive jet trials with the second period, since she left New York last month, focused on pushing the boundaries of the F-35, the ship and ship’s company to see how the aircraft perform launching and landing in different weather conditions and carrying various payloads.

The carrier is due home from her Westlant 18 deployment in mid-December.

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
HAV secures first military aircraft reservation for Airlander

Aerospace Defence

HAV secures first military aircraft reservation for Airlander

23 October 2025

Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd (HAV), the designer of Airlander, has today announced the reservation of a further three aircraft, representing the first Airlander 10 aircraft destined for defence use.

Digital & Cyber Bursary scheme in Lancashire expanded

Defence Security

Digital & Cyber Bursary scheme in Lancashire expanded

23 October 2025

Five hundred students in Lancashire are to be given the opportunity to join the frontline of UK cyber defence, through a new major expansion of the Government’s Digital & Cyber Bursary Programme.

Robosys secures Australian AMC Search training support contract

Defence Security

Robosys secures Australian AMC Search training support contract

23 October 2025

Robosys Automation has secured a new contract award from the Australian Maritime College, AMC Search, to supply its advanced VOYAGER AI software as a retrofit to its OPT WAMV-16 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).

Royal Navy completes trials of Thales

Defence

Royal Navy completes trials of Thales' Martlet missile

23 October 2025

Britain’s latest supersonic missile is fully ready for front-line action after completing extensive trials during an ‘explosive autumn’ of tests and exercises.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
MoD outlines economic benefits of Defence

Defence

MoD outlines economic benefits of Defence

23 October 2025

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a report - UK Defence Footprint: Making Defence an engine for growth - which provides an overview of how the MoD is proactively supporting employment, skills, investment and economic growth across all parts of the UK.

First Minister for Wales opens Rolls-Royce office in Cardiff

Defence

First Minister for Wales opens Rolls-Royce office in Cardiff

22 October 2025

Rolls-Royce Submarines today celebrated the opening of a new office in Cardiff, creating more than 100 new jobs in the Welsh capital.

Advertisement
ODU RT