HMS Queen Elizabeth: Ministry of Defence insists F-35 trials continue on aircraft carrier as US military grounds its jets

OFFICIALS have insisted flight trials on HMS Queen Elizabeth are continuing despite US military grounding all F-35 fighter jets.
A F35B Lightening II launches from HMS Queen Elizabeth during the fixed wing trials package off the East coast of America. Picture: Royal NavyA F35B Lightening II launches from HMS Queen Elizabeth during the fixed wing trials package off the East coast of America. Picture: Royal Navy
A F35B Lightening II launches from HMS Queen Elizabeth during the fixed wing trials package off the East coast of America. Picture: Royal Navy

The United States Air Force (USAF) has grounded all of its F-35 fighter jets after one of the planes crashed last month.

The Royal Navy's aircraft carrier is two weeks into flight trials with the jets..

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The USAF grounding has been sparked after a F-35B fighter plane crashed near Beaufort, South Carolina, on September 28. 

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: '˜Safety is our paramount concern. Therefore the UK has decided to pause some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing enquiry.

'˜F-35 flight trials from the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, are continuing and the programme remains on schedule to provide our Armed Forces with a game-changing capability.

'˜We will continue to review the situation as further information becomes available.'

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When asked by The News, MoD officials confirmed that flying from the £3.1bn carrier were continuing.

A F35B Lightening II launches from HMS Queen Elizabeth during the fixed wing trials package off the East coast of America. Picture: Royal NavyA F35B Lightening II launches from HMS Queen Elizabeth during the fixed wing trials package off the East coast of America. Picture: Royal Navy
A F35B Lightening II launches from HMS Queen Elizabeth during the fixed wing trials package off the East coast of America. Picture: Royal Navy
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A fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine in all F-35 fighter jets is set to be carried out as a result of the incident. 

The USAF has grounded the fleet at the request of the Joint Program Office. 

In a statement the JPO said: '˜The US services and international partners have temporarily suspended F-35 flight operations while the enterprise conducts a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine on all F-35 aircraft. 

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'˜If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replace. If known good fuel tube are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status.

'˜Inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. 

'˜The action to perform the inspection is driven from initial data from the ongoing investigation of the F-35B that crashed in the vicinity of Beaufort, South Carolina on 28 September. 

'˜The aircraft mishap board is continuing its work and the U.S. Marine Crops will provide additional information when it becomes available. 

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'˜The primary goal following any mishap is the prevention of future incidents. We will take every measure to ensure safe operations while we deliver, sustain and modernise, the F-35 for the warfighter and our defence partners.' 

The USAF grounded the full F-35 fleet last night. 

HMS Queen Elizabeth was tweeting about F-35 jets landing on the aircraft carrier on Wednesday. 

The Royal Navy warship's official account tweeted: '˜Another Fly Navy day in Britain's Biggest Warship.

'˜Even though we are two weeks into F-35 on deck trials, the F-35 still steals the show!'