UK Lightning flies with British weapons

Lightning ZM136 of 17 Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California, loaded with an ASRAAM on the wing-mounted pylon. Ministry of Defence

British Defence Minister Stuart Andrew announced the UK’s F-35B Lightning has carried out its first trial armed with UK-built advanced short-range air-to-air missiles in late August.

The light was part of a series of trials aimed at achieving initial operating capability of 617 Squadron based at RAF Marham, Norfolk, which is scheduled for December.

The minister was speaking on a visit to the Defence Electronics and Components Agency at Sealand in Wales, which is planned to become a global repair hub for the F-35 Lightning, providing maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for F-35 avionics, electronic and electrical components, fuel, mechanical and hydraulic systems.