Descending the virtual glideslope: bringing the F-35B on board QEC

摘要

First Of Class Flying Trials (FOCFT) of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) from the UK Royal Navy's (SCSI's) new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth are due to begin off the eastern seaboard of the United States in the latter part of 2018. Yet, a little less than five years before ship/air integration begins at sea, test pilots are already recovering the F-35B to the Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) in a virtual environment at BAE Systems' Warton facility in Lancashire. Similarly, Royal Air Force and RN personnel have been training in a co-located simulator to evaluate the form and function of the Flight Control office (FLYCO) to be located on Queen Elizabeth's aft island.