Head of Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Rear Admiral Keith Blount, confirmed at DSEI 2015 that the U.S. Marine Corps will deploys its F-35B STOVL fighter on board both Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
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“But … given the fact that the U.S. Marine Corps are buying and will operate the same type of aircraft as we are buying and operating, it would make no sense whatsoever if we were to close down the opportunity and potential of the U.S. Marine Corps working from this flight deck.
“So yes, I expect the U.S. Marine Corps to operate and work from the deck of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. We are going to get the most bang for the buck we can for the U.K. taxpayer, and that’s one of the ways in which we’ll achieve it”, Blount said.