HMS Queen Elizabeth: F-35 Lightning flight trials resume after New York City breakÂ

The Royal Navy's £3.1bn aircraft carrier spent a week in New York City last month after concluding the first part of the tests. 

She is on deployment in America testing F-35 Lightening jets '“ having left Portsmouth in August. 

In a tweet today (November 1) the warship announced that the second round of flight trials had resumed. 

HMS Queen Elizabeth's official account tweeted: '˜Lightning (Part 2) is forecast.' 

What has been achieved in flight trials so far? 

Before handing over the reins of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the aircraft carrier's first ever CO Captain Jerry Kyd said: '˜It has been a superb effort by everyone across the Integrated Test Force and HMS Queen Elizabeth so far '“ I could not be more pleased with the team spirit and dynamism shown by all.

'˜That has delivered a volume of quality data which has put us well ahead of where we expected to be at this stage.

'˜I am very grateful to all the Integrated Test Force folk who have been focused, professional and willing to go the extra mile.'

HMS Queen Elizabeth's historic flight trials will resume with far more achieved in the first three weeks than anticipated.

So far there have been:

- 98 take-offs using the ski ramp

- the first '˜rolling' landing, bringing the F-35 to a stop on the flight deck instead of the aircraft dropping down vertically

- night flying

- and even some rough weather trials to begin pushing the conditions in which the carrier can operate her air power safely.

When is HMS Queen Elizabeth due back in Portsmouth? 

The Royal Navy won't confirm exact movements of the warship.  

Although it is dependent on sea and weather conditions, the hope is that HMS Queen Elizabeth will be back in Portsmouth in December.

And if all goes as planned, the carrier will be back in her home port before Christmas '“ meaning it should be a very happy festival period for the crew and their families.