UK 809 Squadron makes historic debut with F-35B jets on HMS Prince of Wales.

According to information published by the UK MoD on October 1, 2024, fast jet operations have returned to its aircraft carriers for the first time in nearly 15 years, with 809 Naval Air Squadron making its sea debut aboard HMS Prince of Wales.
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Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning stealth fighter on the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. (Picture source: UK MoD)

The squadron's F-35B Lightning stealth fighters, along with support from RAF’s 617 Squadron "The Dambusters," have joined the aircraft carrier in the North Sea for a month-long series of exercises.

The training represents a crucial phase as both the squadron and the carrier prepare for an extensive eight-month global deployment set for 2025. The F-35Bs, which took off from their base at RAF Marham, will spend the coming weeks working alongside around 200 specialists including engineers, technicians, and logistics personnel to operate from the 65,000-tonne warship.

Commander Nick Smith, commanding officer of 809 NAS, described the deployment as a milestone for the squadron, which only came into existence at the end of last year. He highlighted the importance of this phase in integrating the squadron with the carrier strike group. Many of the squadron's personnel, including pilots and vital ground crew, are experiencing life at sea for the first time.

Throughout the training period, both pilots and crew will face the unique challenges of carrier-based operations. Lieutenant Commander Armstrong, an F-35 pilot, noted that while the technology of the Lightning is far ahead of its predecessor, the Harrier, operating the aircraft at sea remains a demanding task. Crews are adapting to the physical constraints of the ship, including working in more confined spaces, coping with noise and wind, and mastering night-time operations.

The exercises will intensify in the coming weeks as HMS Prince of Wales is joined by other vessels to form a carrier strike group. This culminates in a large-scale training exercise called Strike Warrior, designed to enhance operational readiness for next year’s deployment.

F-35B fighter jets

The F-35B is the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft developed under the Joint Strike Fighter program. Designed for versatility, it performs various missions such as air superiority, strike, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Its STOVL capability enables operations from shorter runways and aircraft carriers without the need for catapults or arrestor wires, making it ideally suited for deployment on HMS Prince of Wales.

The F-35B measures approximately 15.6 meters in length, with a wingspan of 10.7 meters and a height of 4.36 meters. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600 turbofan engine, generating around 40,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner. The aircraft can reach speeds up to Mach 1.6, translating to about 1,200 mph or 1,930 km/h, and has a combat radius exceeding 900 nautical miles on internal fuel. Its service ceiling extends above 50,000 feet.

The F-35B is equipped with advanced avionics and sensors, including the AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), and Distributed Aperture System (DAS).

Regarding armament, the F-35B possesses an internal weapons bay capable of carrying up to 5,700 pounds of ordnance, maintaining its stealth profile. It also has external hardpoints for additional weapons or fuel tanks when stealth is not a priority. The aircraft is compatible with a wide array of weapons, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, JDAM, and Paveway series.

Integration of F-35B with HMS Prince of Wales

The aircraft's STOVL capability aligns perfectly with the carrier's design, which lacks catapults and arrestor wires. The 13-degree ski-jump ramp on the flight deck assists the F-35B in achieving lift during short take-offs, while vertical landing capabilities allow for efficient recovery of aircraft.