Latest news with #F-35BLightningII
Business Insider
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
UK sailors convinced the Royal Navy to get a computer room on its newest aircraft carrier for esports and video games
Decks below F-35B Lightning II fighters and Wildcat attack helicopters, Chief Petty Officer Martin Miller keeps watch over the Royal Navy's first-ever seafaring computer gaming room. It's not his main job, of course. Miller is one of two logistics store chiefs on board the HMS Prince of Wales, the UK's second aircraft carrier. Business Insider took a look inside the ship as it docked in Singapore during an eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Miller, the vice-chairman of the Royal Navy's esports committee, voluntarily manages the onboard gaming room, which was set up in February. After wrapping up a typical day at 8 p.m., Miller tends to spend a few hours in the suite, enjoying robust air conditioning and playing the strategy game "Sid Meier's Civilization VI." "Other ships have PlayStations and Xboxes down on the mess deck so they can play where they live, but this is the first ship that's got a PC setup like this," Miller said. Officially dubbed the ship's "esports suite," it's more like a computer lab for now. The facility is an old exam room fitted with LED lights, a widescreen TV, office chairs, and eight beefy Alienware gaming computers. While on the high seas, the carrier's internet is typically only good enough to support simple text messages, so sailors make do with local multiplayer games such as "Halo" and "Team Fortress 2." The suite's gaming gear is sponsored by the Royal Navy, which disburses funds to troops petitioning for official support in a sport. To get money, sports committees must prove their pastime has a large following within and outside the British forces. In March 2024, the UK's defense ministry recognized esports as a military sport, saying it valued digital skills associated with gaming and hoped the activity would help retain young talent. "If you're a top gamer, or a coder, your country needs you," UK Defense Minister John Healey said in a September speech. One of the crew's selling points for the carrier's gaming suite is that it can be a tool for cross-rank team bonding. Mess halls are sometimes equipped with consoles for couch gaming titles like "Mario Kart," but free access to these rooms is bound by seniority. Miller said officers and leaders book the gaming suite via email about three times a week for their teams. Sailors also use it ad-hoc every evening while at sea, he said. Aircraft carriers and amphibious assault vessels, with hundreds or thousands of troops on board, often boast a range of recreational facilities. The Prince of Wales, commissioned in 2019, comes with ice baths, saunas, inflatable swimming pools, a golf simulator, three gyms, and karaoke. But with 1,600 crew, squadron staff, and marines aboard, space on the 72,000-ton vessel can be a luxury. Two of the suite's computers are unused because they can't fit in the room, and Miller said the committee has a near-impossible ambition of installing an F1 driving simulator rig. S/Lt. Joshua Hill, the treasurer of the Royal Navy's esports committee, told BI that its members have been setting up gaming suites like this one in the UK's naval bases. But warships are a different story, and getting a room to build a gaming suite on a carrier was an encouraging sign of Royal Navy support, Hill said. "A lot of our infrastructure in the Navy is used, so trying to find the space that they can give up is what we're struggling with at the moment," said Hill. He doesn't work on the carrier, but is an assistant logistics officer on the HMS Dauntless, an accompanying destroyer. Hill hopes this suite can serve as an example of how computer multiplayer games can be introduced to other UK warships. "The next step is, can we get connectivity?" he said. "That's kind of the aim for stuff on ships as a whole."
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Stranded British fighter jet to be moved to Thiruvananthapuram airport's repair facility
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly two weeks after it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport, the UK F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet will be moved to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport as it awaits repairs, the British High Commission stated on Friday. "A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," said a British High Commission spokesperson. "The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support," he added. The stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14 and is awaiting a team of engineers from Lockheed Martin, the jet's American manufacturer, to resolve a persisting technical snag. The advanced fifth-generation fighter, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific, was returning to its base after completing joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy when it made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram. It was granted emergency clearance to land at the airport after it reported critically low fuel levels. Authorities -- including the Indian Air Force, Airport Authority of India, and other concerned agencies -- initially expected the aircraft to take off shortly after refuelling. However, a technical malfunction was soon detected, delaying its departure. A Royal Navy helicopter later airlifted a team of British engineers and a replacement pilot to the site. Despite several attempts over the next few days, the aircraft remained unresponsive to take-off commands. Currently parked at Bay 4 of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport under tight security, the jet has drawn attention due to its prolonged stay and exposure to persistent monsoon rains, raising concerns about potential weather-related complications. The F-35B is renowned for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from aircraft carriers and short runways. Despite its cutting-edge design, the ongoing issue has left British officials perplexed. With all local efforts exhausted, the responsibility now falls on Lockheed Martin's technical team, who are expected to arrive soon.
India.com
3 days ago
- General
- India.com
Stranded British Fighter Jet To Be Moved To Thiruvananthapuram Airports Repair Facility
Nearly two weeks after it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport, the UK F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet will be moved to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport as it awaits repairs, the British High Commission stated on Friday. "A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," said a British High Commission spokesperson. "The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support," he added. The stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14 and is awaiting a team of engineers from Lockheed Martin, the jet's American manufacturer, to resolve a persisting technical snag. The advanced fifth-generation fighter, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific, was returning to its base after completing joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy when it made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram. It was granted emergency clearance to land at the airport after it reported critically low fuel levels. Authorities – including the Indian Air Force, Airport Authority of India, and other concerned agencies – initially expected the aircraft to take off shortly after refuelling. However, a technical malfunction was soon detected, delaying its departure. A Royal Navy helicopter later airlifted a team of British engineers and a replacement pilot to the site. Despite several attempts over the next few days, the aircraft remained unresponsive to take-off commands. Currently parked at Bay 4 of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport under tight security, the jet has drawn attention due to its prolonged stay and exposure to persistent monsoon rains, raising concerns about potential weather-related complications. The F-35B is renowned for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from aircraft carriers and short runways. Despite its cutting-edge design, the ongoing issue has left British officials perplexed. With all local efforts exhausted, the responsibility now falls on Lockheed Martin's technical team, who are expected to arrive soon.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
UK's stranded F-35 fighter to be repaired in India
NEW DELHI: The F-35B Lightning II fighter of the British Royal Navy, stranded in Thiruvananthapuram, will be repaired at its present location, for which a team will be flown in from the UK, the British High Commission (BHC) said. "We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as thank the Indian authorities for their continued support," a spokesperson for the BHC said. The Royal Navy F-35B fighter was recovered following an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14, 2025. The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales as it was caught in adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely, the BHC said. The Indian Air Force had extended assistance in the recovery of the aircraft. Operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the fighter was undertaking routine flying outside the Indian ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield. "On having declared a diversion of an emergency, the F-35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery," the IAF spokesperson had said.
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First Post
6 days ago
- General
- First Post
After emergency landing over 10 days ago, why UK's $110-million F-35B jet remains stranded in Kerala
The UK Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, worth $110 million, continues to be grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, after its emergency landing on the night of June 14. While a technical team assessed the aircraft, the problem remains. Here's what is going on with one of the world's most advanced war planes read more A CISF personnel stand guard near the British F-35 fighter jet that made an emergency landing after running low on fuel at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14 night. @CISFHQrs via PTI Photo The British Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains stranded in Kerala, nearly two weeks after it made an emergency landing. Built by the US-based Lockheed Martin, the aircraft is worth more than $110 million. The fighter jet continues to be grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. This is the first time that the British Royal Navy's F-35B fighter has been stranded in a foreign country. Let's take a closer look. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why UK's F-35B jet made emergency landing On the night of June 14, the United Kingdom Royal Navy's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Defence officials told ANI that the aircraft was running low on fuel. It also faced bad weather as the jet was flying about 100 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, leading to the pilot onboard the aircraft seeking permission to land at the civilian airport in the southern state, reported the Independent. The jet declared an emergency and was detected and identified by the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which cleared it for recovery, IAF said in a statement. 'A Royal Navy F-35B fighter was recovered following an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14. The IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft,' it posted on X. A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked… — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 15, 2025 The stealth aircraft landed safely around 9:28 pm at the Kerala airport and was shifted to an isolated bay. The advanced fifth-generation fighter jet is reportedly part of the UK Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The IAF helped with refuelling the stealth aircraft. However, the jet encountered hydraulic failure during its attempted return, defence officials told ANI. What was the aircraft doing near India? The F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet was carrying out sorties in the Indian Ocean from HMS Prince of Wales. The jet was 'undertaking routine flying outside of the Indian Air Defence Identification Zone' when it faced problems and Thiruvananthapuram was 'earmarked as the emergency recovery field', the IAF said. The night the fighter jet touched down in Kerala, a Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram airport with technicians to examine the plane. It also ferried a replacement pilot. However, it was decided to keep the jet grounded until the assistance of a British specialist team. #UPDATE | A few days ago, the F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy had made an emergency landing due to low fuel, after which the Indian Air Force had provided all required support, including refuelling. However, when the aircraft was going back, it developed a hydraulic failure and… — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'A maintenance team of the UK Navy had come and tried to rectify the problem, but could not,' ANI quoted a statement by defence officials. Why the British jet remains stranded after over 10 days The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is guarding the British aircraft, which remains parked at an open area near the domestic terminal amid concerns about monsoon rains. As per an Onmanorama report, a 40-member expert team from the UK is expected to arrive soon to carry out repairs on the F-35B jet. The team will take a call on whether to move the aircraft to a hangar for inspection or not. India had reportedly offered to move the jet to a hangar or temporary shed. However, this was declined by the Royal Navy. As per NDTV sources, the decision was likely due to concerns over F-35B's 'protected technologies'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Delhi told The Independent: 'We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support.' If necessary, the plane could be flown back aboard a military transport aircraft. One of the most advanced fighter jets, the UK Royal Navy's F-35B has short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. It also boasts state-of-the-art technology, including sensors, mission systems and stealth features that enable it to operate in hostile conditions while evading detection. With inputs from agencies
