Could The First F-35B Land On Board HMS Queen Elizabeth This Week?

The flight trials will build-up to the UK being able to deliver a carrier strike capability for the UK from 2020 (Picture: Crown Copyright).

A major hint has been given that the first landing of the F-35B on board Britain's biggest warship could happen this week.

On Twitter, HMS Queen Elizabeth's account announced that Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Ben Key is visiting.

This was then followed by: "Only a routine visit from an Admiral we think, nothing special going on here!" and a winking face emoji.

The tweet finished with:

"Lightning is forecast."

Speaking in August, Queen Elizabeth's Commanding Officer, Captain Jerry Kyd said: "The spectacle of the first F-35B Lightning landing on the deck in September is very exciting for us all."

HMS Queen Elizabeth reached the United States for the first time earlier this month, after leaving Portsmouth in August to begin flight trials.

The trials will see two F-35 test jets conduct 500 takeoffs and landings from the £3bn carrier while she is at sea.

A US Marine Corps Major will join three British test pilots in conducting the first deck landings onboard the ship.

In July, the F-35B performed its first vertical landing at its home base, RAF Marham.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the first Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, with HMS Prince of Wales set to become the second when entering service in next year.

More: What Is It Like On Board HMS Queen Elizabeth?