In Pictures: UK F35B makes British history on HMS Queen Elizabeth

🇬🇧 An iconic moment in British history as the first UK F-35B jets landed on Britain's largest warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth

Flown by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots, the Lightning jets have embarked on the 65,000-tonne carrier to conduct operational sea trials off the East Coast of the USA.

The landings on HMS Queen Elizabeth are part of the ‘WESTLANT 19’ Carrier Strike Group deployment. Once fully operational, UK Carrier Strike Group will be a formidable force around the world, using a number of platforms to work alongside our allies.

The UK’s role within the F-35B project:

• 15% of each F-35B jet is made in the UK 🇬🇧
• The UK plans to buy a total of 138 jets ✈️
• The program is expected to sustain 24,000 jobs across the whole UK 💼

The F-35B jet vertically lands onto HMS Queen Elizabeth

The F-35B touches down for the first time onto HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier

Pilots disembark

F-35B jets take part in vertical take-off and landing exercises

HMS Queen Elizabeth sails with all four F-35B jets on board

HMS Dragon accompanies HMS Queen Elizabeth on F-35B landings

F-35B jet prepares for take-off

F-35 jets landing, taking off and hovering onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time.

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here: