F-35 test pilot flies first roll-on landing aboard HMS Prince of Wales

Photo By Michael Land | Controllers' reflections are visible on the flying control (FLYCO) windows below which an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft is refueled between build-up flights for shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) aboard HMS Prince of Wales (R09) aircraft carrier in the Western Atlantic Oct. 17, 2023. An F-35 test pilot performed the first roll-on landing of an F-35B fighter jet aboard Britain's biggest warship Oct. 19, 2023. Marine Maj. Paul Gucwa piloted the short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the 5th generation strike aircraft for the first SRVL as part of developmental test phase 3 (DT-3) flight trials during the ship's deployment to the Western Atlantic for WESTLANT 2023. “It was a wonderful experience to see our training and preparation lead to a predictable and comfortable outcome.” Gucwa said. “Expanding on the initial work the team executed during DT-1 and DT-2 is the next step in providing these types of increased capabilities to the warfighter, which is what flight test is all about” he said. F-35B pilots usually approach the carrier from the port side to a position adjacent to a landing spot. They then transition, or fly sideways, to the landing spot and land vertically. More than looking and sounding different, the landing technique could lead to tactics where a pilot returns to the ship with heavier loads, for example more fuel or weapons. (Photo by Mike Jackson)  

UNITED STATES

10.23.2023

Story by Michael Land 

F-35 Lightning II Pax River ITF   

An F-35 Lightning II test pilot performed the first roll-on landing of an F-35B fighter jet aboard the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier off the U.S. Eastern Seaboard Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

Marine Maj. Paul Gucwa piloted the short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the 5th generation strike aircraft for the first shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) aboard HMS Prince of Wales, Britain’s biggest warship, as part of developmental test phase 3 (DT-3) flight trials during the ship's deployment to the Western Atlantic for WESTLANT 2023.

“It was a wonderful experience to see our training and preparation lead to a predictable and comfortable outcome.” Gucwa said. “Expanding on the initial work the team executed during DT-1 and DT-2 is the next step in providing these types of increased capabilities to the warfighter, which is what flight test is all about” he said.

F-35B pilots usually approach the carrier from the port side to a position adjacent to a landing spot. They then transition, or fly sideways, to the landing spot and land vertically. More than looking and sounding different, the landing technique could lead to tactics where a pilot returns to the ship with heavier loads, for example more fuel or weapons.

• Date Taken: 10.23.2023
• Date Posted: 10.23.2023 08:14
• Story ID: 456292
• Location: US