At the end of October, a landmark event took place off the east coast of the United States, showcasing the pinnacle of UK naval aviation capabilities and the strong interoperability between the United Kingdom and the United States. Two F-35B Lightning II jets, configured in ‘Beast Mode’, roared off the deck of HMS Prince of Wales, armed to the teeth with maximum ordnance. This demonstration was not just a display of brute force but a testament to the close military synergy between the Royal Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, with pilots Maj. Gucwa and Lt. Col. Lippert at the helm of these formidable machines.
The term ‘Beast Mode’ is not taken lightly; it refers to the F-35B’s ability to take off with a full complement of weaponry – an impressive 22,000lb of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. While the F-35 is often lauded for its stealth capabilities, ‘Beast Mode’ prioritizes firepower over stealth, equipping the aircraft with six guided bombs, four of which are mounted onto the wings and two stowed within the weapons bay, as well as an Air Intercept Missile 9X. Commodore Readwin said: “The team onboard makes it look really easy but of course, it is really hard work to integrate this capability and exploit it and operate it to the edge of its envelope.This change in configuration, as described by a Royal Navy commodore, is “all about lethality, it’s about how do we take this capability and exploit it.”
During the trials aboard HMS Prince of Wales, not only was the ‘Beast Mode’ tested, but a series of shipborne rolling vertical landings (SRVL) were also conducted, accounting for a total of 60 rolling landings, including 10 at night. The SRVL is a technique that allows jets to land carrying a heavier load than is possible with vertical landings, a critical skill given the lack of arresting gear on the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
This event marks a series of firsts for HMS Prince of Wales, part of a deployment named Westlant 2023. It was the first time an F-35B, fully armed, launched from the carrier, and the first time bombs were dropped, albeit inert ones, from an aircraft of the carrier. The successful trials have “expanded the envelope” of F-35 operations, according to the Royal Navy.
The importance of these trials goes beyond just flexing military muscle; they are integral to ensuring readiness for future deployments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region in 2025, where HMS Prince of Wales will lead a Carrier Strike Group. The interoperability and exchangeability between the Royal Navy and U.S. Marine Corps are essential to seamless joint operations. As the commodore put it, the work is “really hard” to integrate and exploit this advanced capability, but the goal is clear: to ensure that both US Marine Corps F-35Bs and UK variants can operate interchangeably from UK’s carriers.
The strategic importance of the ‘Beast Mode’ capability cannot be overstated. While the F-35 is renowned for its stealth and advanced sensor packages, its ability to switch to a high-firepower mode gives it versatility on the battlefield. The aircraft can carry a significantly larger payload when stealth is less crucial, effectively turning the stealth fighter into a formidable bomb truck once air superiority is established.
The HMS Prince of Wales, alongside its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth, represents the pinnacle of Royal Navy warship design. Their ability to project power through the operation of up to 36 F-35Bs has a transformative impact on the UK’s naval capabilities. As the two countries continue to collaborate and push the boundaries of naval aviation, events such as the ‘Beast Mode’ launch off HMS Prince of Wales stand as a powerful reminder of the might and adaptability of modern carrier strike groups.
Relevant articles:
– How F-35B ‘Beast Mode’ trials on HMS Prince of Wales will make jets even more lethal, Forces Network, Nov 24, 2023
– The British navy’s newest aircraft carrier teamed up with US pilots to launch F-35 jets in ‘beast mode’ for the first time, Business Insider, Nov 9, 2023
– Beast Mode: The F-35 Has a Secret Weapon, nationalinterest.org
– F-35 Lightning II® (Variant B) – STOVL Stealth Fighter, brickmania.com