Nordic exercise sees F-35A conduct first roadway operations

A Royal Norwegian Air Force prepares to take off from a Finnish road, during the type's first dispersed operation that was recently logged on Exercise ‘Baana 23'. (Finnish Air Force)

The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has operated from a roadway for the first time during Exercise ‘Baana 23' in Finland.

A pair of Royal Norwegian Air Force (RoNAF) F-35As performed the milestone on 21 September, landing on and taking off from a dedicated stretch of motorway near the Finnish town of Tervo as part of a wider dispersal of allied aircraft.

“This is a milestone, not only for the [Royal] Norwegian Air Force but also for the Nordic countries and for NATO,” Major General Rolf Folland, chief of the RoNAF, said. “This demonstrates our ability to execute a concept of dispersal. Fighter jets are vulnerable on the ground, so being able to use small airfields – and now motorways – increases our survivability in war.”

The two F-35As landed on the motorway at about 1500 h local time, immediately performing a ‘hot' refuelling (with the engine running) before departing for a simulated mission.

“Finland has been a close partner for a long time, and now also a [NATO] ally. Their straight and wide motorways means that we can further develop our concept for dispersal,” Maj Gen Folland said. “The aim of the concept is to make it more challenging for an enemy to take out our aircraft when on ground. If such a concept is to work we must map out all possibilities and practise them.”