In UK Defence’s modern air power structure, the two aircraft operate as part of a single Combat Air Force, bringing together fourth- and fifth-generation fighters under one command.
Each aircraft contributes different strengths.
Typhoon is a fast, highly manoeuvrable air superiority fighter carrying a large weapons load. The F-35, meanwhile, is designed around stealth and advanced sensor fusion-technology that allows it to detect and track threats earlier than conventional aircraft.
“When you combine them, the result is far more potent than either aircraft operating in isolation.”
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Carty, Royal Marines, Officer Commanding 617 Squadron and F-35 pilot
The aircrew are a joint team - ten pilots split evenly between Royal Navy and RAF, supported by specialists from cyber, supply, and security units.
Detect First, Strike Fast
The way the aircraft fight together reflects the difference between fourth and fifth-generation fighters:
- Fourth-generation aircraft like Typhoon rely primarily on powerful radar, advanced weapons and manoeuvrability.
- Fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35B add stealth and sensor fusion, allowing them to build a clearer and wider picture of the battlespace.
The F-35’s radar and sensor systems can identify aircraft, drones or missile launches at longer range, while the aircraft’s stealth characteristics make it harder for adversaries to detect. Once a target is identified, that information is passed through secure datalinks to other aircraft- including Typhoons.
“The highly advanced radar in the F-35, along with sensor fusion, provides longer-range detection and the ability to share information,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Carty.
Typhoon pilots can then use that data to position themselves for interception.
One Finds the Target, the Other Carries the Firepower
The partnership between the two aircraft becomes particularly powerful during targeting.
The F-35’s sensors can detect and track threats across a large area of airspace. Typhoon, meanwhile, carries a wider range of weapons and a powerful optical and infrared targeting pod that enables visual identification of targets at long range.
“Typhoon brings more weapons with slightly different capabilities which are complementary,” said Lieutenant Colonel Carty. “Its optical and infrared targeting pod allows visual identification at longer range.”
In practice, one aircraft may detect and designate a target while another fires the weapon.
During air defence missions, the aircraft typically carry a mix of advanced air-to-air missiles:
- F-35B: Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) and Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM)
- Typhoon: Meteor and ASRAAM
This combination allows pilots to engage hostile aircraft or drones at both long and short range.
When the call came for Royal Air Force jets to deploy to RAF Akrotiri, the message moved quickly through to 617 Squadron based RAF Marham.
“For us it moved at pace,” said Lieutenant Colonel Carty. “I briefed the Squadron… on a Monday morning. By Thursday evening they were on coaches heading to RAF Brize Norton.”
Within days, the unit and its Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II aircraft were preparing to integrate into a multinational Air Defence effort in the eastern Mediterranean, working alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon to keep the skies secure.
Flying in Mixed Formation
To maximise these capabilities, the aircraft operate together in mixed formations. The concept is simple: combine stealth, sensors and data fusion from the F-35 with Typhoon’s speed and missile capacity.
This approach requires extensive training. Interoperability between the platforms relies not just on technology but on pilots developing shared tactics through high-end exercises and simulation, like Exercise Red Flag.
Before deploying, the squadron rehearsed mission scenarios in simulators, refining tactics that would later be flown on operations.
The Pressure of the First Sortie
For Lieutenant Colonel Carty, the first sortie of the operation brought a familiar sense of intensity.
“Integrating into a multinational campaign is always incredibly complex,” he said. “There are myriad rules, regulations and orders you have to read and understand inside out.”
He has flown on previous operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and says the early days of any deployment bring a similar pressure.
“It’s a high-pressure situation and therefore quite nerve-wracking in the early stages,” he explained. “But once the squadron understands the mission and the operating environment, everything begins to flow.”
Lieutenant Colonel Carty
Now operating routinely from RAF Akrotiri, the squadron is flying regular defensive counter-air patrols and maintaining readiness to respond to emerging threats. So far, the unit has flown more than 220 hours on the deployment.
Working with Allies
Modern air operations rarely involve a single nation acting alone. The RAF detachment is fully integrated and working alongside European partners including Greece, France and Germany. This coalition approach allows multiple nations to share radar coverage, intelligence and operational responsibilities, creating a much wider defensive network.
The Combat Air Force is also integrated with other RAF capabilities, including Air Mobility aircraft, intelligence and surveillance platforms, and ground-based air defence units from the RAF Regiment.
A Rapid Response Capability
For the pilots and engineers supporting the mission, the deployment demonstrates how quickly the UK can respond to emerging crises. For the personnel of 617 Squadron, the mission is also a reminder of why they joined.
“The Combat Air Force delivers a highly agile, survivable and lethal capability that can respond rapidly at home or overseas. We are carrying out a vital role here at RAF Akrotiri to protect UK personnel and our regional partners. This is what we joined to do- and we’re proving that F-35B and the wider Combat Air Force are fundamental to UK defence.”
Lieutenant Colonel Carty.
