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
Amentum 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
Leonardo

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
Cranfield University
All on board with Babcock

Defence Events

All on board with Babcock

12 September 2025

Babcock recently hit the highway as it started a nationwide tour of the UK in a specially kitted out bus, where it is connecting with colleagues and highlighting the positive impact it is having on communities the length and breadth of Britain, as it ramps up recruitment.

GA-ASI and AeroVironment launch Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A UAS

Defence

GA-ASI and AeroVironment launch Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A UAS

11 September 2025

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and AeroVironment collaborated on the first ever air launch of a Switchblade 600 loitering munition (LM) from a GA-ASI Block 5 MQ-9A unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

Serco to continue support for US Navy submarines

Defence

Serco to continue support for US Navy submarines

11 September 2025

Serco has won a new indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to continue supporting the US Navy’s Submarine High Data Rate (SubHDR) antenna systems.

LTPA enhanced to unlock SME access and boost innovation

Defence

LTPA enhanced to unlock SME access and boost innovation

11 September 2025

QinetiQ and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have agreed changes to the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) that will make it easier and cheaper for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to use test and evaluation (T&E) capabilities across the UK.

Advertisement
ODU RT
BAE Systems opens engineering facility in Minneapolis

Defence

BAE Systems opens engineering facility in Minneapolis

11 September 2025

BAE Systems has officially opened a 247,000-square-foot engineering and product development facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota, serving as a critical innovation hub focused on engineering and product development for the US military and its allies.

Ukrainian defence industry to gain support via ADS membership offer

Defence Events

Ukrainian defence industry to gain support via ADS membership offer

11 September 2025

In a world first, ADS is offering defence companies headquartered in Ukraine the opportunity to gain unparalled support through becoming members of the UK trade association for aerospace, defence, security and space.

Advertisement
Leonardo