One of the two embarked F-35Bs from VX-23 completes an SRVL recovery to HMS Prince of Wales during DT-3 testing. The SRVL manoeuvre is designed to significantly increase bring-back payload. ( Kyra Helwick/DVIDS)

The UK Royal Navy (RN) and the US F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) are progressing new trials of the shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) recovery manoeuvre onboard the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Executed as part of the Developmental Test phase 3 (DT-3) period, the trials are being flown to progressively expand the F-35B Lightning II SRVL flight envelope and establish safe operating limits, according to the RN. The ITF embarked two fully instrumented F-35B aircraft and three test pilots from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) in Prince of Wales off the US East Coast on 11 October to conduct DT-3 testing over a four-week period.