It has been a remarkable display of modern military aviation, with Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales embarking on a series of developmental flying trials off the East Coast of the United States. This deployment is part of the long-anticipated Westlant 23 mission and marks an important milestone in the evolution of UK carrier strike capabilities.
The trials began in earnest after the HMS Prince of Wales overcame a series of setbacks, which included a serious internal flood in 2020 and an issue with its propeller shaft that delayed its deployment by over a year. The carrier is now ready to take over as the Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship next year following successful repairs and an uneventful Atlantic crossing.
One of the significant trial points has been the F-35B Lightning II jets’ ability to operate in “beast mode.” That is a term describing an aircraft loaded with weapons on all pylons and its internal bomb bay. Each F-35B carried 22,000 pounds of ordnance—nearly three times the bomb load of the UK’s previous carrier-based strike aircraft, the Harrier GR9. The fit included inert 500-lb and 1,000-lb Paveway IV laser-guided bombs.
The fully loaded launch of the jets was described as “impressive” by Warrant Officer 1 John Etherington, captain of the flight deck, who has experience with a range of U.S. Navy Nimitz-class carriers, saying it is exciting to push the boundaries of what UK naval aviation has seen so far.
The F-35Bs were flown by U.S. Marine Corps officer Maj. Paul Gucwa and Lt. Col. Mike Lippert. To Lippert, who had previously spent time developing the Lightning II capabilities on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, it was a great feeling to see how far the operating capability had come. He said that what pushed an increase in interoperability and lethality at the front line was the integrated team effort, which stretched to every corner of the ship and the worldwide F-35 Lightning II partnership.
The ship also conducted trials to determine Ship Helicopter Operating Limits with various aircraft including the MV-22 Osprey, Chinooks, Merlin Mk2, Wildcat, AH-1Z Vipers, UH1 Super Hueys, and USCG MH-65E Dolphin helicopters in preparation for safer flying operations.
One of the most expected improvements within the trials is the further development of the F-35B SRVL, or Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing, technique. The technique enables an aircraft to land with as much as 7,000 pounds more all-up weight by adding thrust from its nozzle and lift-fan to lift generated by air over the wings. Had it not been for SRVL, the F-35B would jettison unused fuel and weapons—resources that cost a lot yet are precious.
The Bedford Array, which is a series of lights flush-mounted in the centerline of the flight deck, takes the pilots to the necessary line-up. The system is unique to HMS Prince of Wales and has been under development for years; it was proven using a Harrier test aircraft. Trials will see the SRVL envelope expanded overloading the aircraft and other attempts made, but with high winds and a wet deck.
As the tests continue to take place, HMS Prince of Wales will continue to operate from the largest base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk, and make several visits. The carrier is bound to have a crucial role in the future operations of the British naval fleet, with a deployment planned for 2025 among those to be made in the Pacific region.
These trials underline the Royal Navy’s commitment to upgrading its carrier strike capabilities and improving the interoperability of its fleet with allied forces. The success of these tests will help pave the way for even more powerful, flexible naval aviation operations in future years.