For three days in early July, a normally sleepy air base in the Gloucestershire countryside will become one of the busiest in the UK, as military aircraft from around the globe descend for the annual showcase that is the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).
Tens of thousands of aviation enthusiasts and spectators will view the spectacular selection of aircraft taking part in the event from 8-10 July, with the undisputed main attraction being the first UK appearance by Lockheed Martin F-35s. The US Marine Corps had planned to deploy the short take-off and vertical landing B-model to RIAT and then the Farnborough air show two years ago, only to have its plans thwarted at the last minute by an engine fire on a US Air Force example.
There was no such drama in getting the aircraft to RAF Fairford this time, however, with a trio of F-35Bs having touched down at the site late on 29 June. These were two USMC examples from the service’s VMFAT-501 training unit at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, and one of the UK’s current three jets, which are being used for initial operational test and evaluation activities conducted at Eglin AFB in Florida.
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Show-goers will witness a historic first at RIAT, when a Lightning II piloted by the Royal Air Force’s Sqn Ldr Hugh Nichols will take part in a unique flypast – also involving a pair of RAF Eurofighter Typhoons and the service’s Red Arrows aerobatic display team. With the crowd-pleasing Avro Vulcan XH558 having made a farewell appearance with the latter at the 2015 event (below), the Joint Strike Fighter looks set to raise excitement levels.
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The USMC is also expected to fly the F-35B in formation with one of its Lockheed KC-130J tankers.
“The pairing of the F-35B and Typhoon represent the fast jet component of the UK’s future air defence capability,” notes RIAT organiser RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises.
A BAE Systems-operated Typhoon will also take part in the flying display for the first time, carrying models of future armaments including the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and air-to-surface Brimstone 2.
Additional highlights at this year’s RIAT will include appearances by a host of military aircraft from around the globe, with notable contributions coming from nations including Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Oman and Pakistan.
In addition to the F-35B, another of the UK’s future acquisitions will be on display, as the US Navy is deploying a Boeing P-8A Poseidon to the event. Nine of the 737-based type are expected to restore the RAF’s lapsed maritime patrol aircraft capabilities from around the end of the current decade, with more information about the procurement expected to emerge during the Farnborough show.
And in a milestone event due to occur on RIAT’s second day, Lockheed and Marshall Aerospace will celebrate a 50-year relationship established and sustained by the RAF’s operation of the C-130 Hercules. The J-model tactical transport is currently expected to remain in UK service until 2035.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
