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231011-O-ZB537-3088

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 11, 2023) U.S. Marine Corps test pilot Maj. Paul Gucwa, from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, flies an F-35B during the final first of class sea trials for F-35B test (DT-3) aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09), Oct. 11, 2023. The Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC) Prince of Wales' participation in WESTLANT 23 encompasses a range of United Kingdom and U.S. naval aircraft trials in the western Atlantic Ocean throughout the autumn of 2023. Prince of Wales continues to push the boundaries of naval aviation capabilities and operations from QEC aircraft carriers, including increasing the range and lethality of F-35 operations. The U.K. is the only Tier I partner in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program. U.K. and U.S. interactions during this deployment are characterized by cooperation and reinforce international relationships, as well as enhance interoperability between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy. The F-35 Joint Program Office is the Defense Department's focal point for the 5th-generation strike aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and our allies. The F-35 is the premier multi-mission, 5th-generation weapon system. Its ability to collect, analyze and share data is a force multiplier that enhances all assets in the battle space, with stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity, and range. The F-35 has been operational since July 2015 and is the most lethal, survivable, and interoperable fighter aircraft ever built. (U.S. Navy photo by Dane Wiedmann)