Operational Evaluation Unit

{{Short description|Type of "reserve" squadron of the Royal Air Force}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}

{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}

An Operational Evaluation Unit is a type of "reserve" squadron of the Royal Air Force. OEU squadrons are tasked with evaluating an aircraft's weapons, systems and performance. This is to either assist in bringing the aircraft to an operational capability, or to continually assess how to best utilize the aircraft's capability once its in service. An example of such a squadron is No. 17 Squadron of the RAF. The Squadron's role as the F-35B Operation Evaluation Unit is being tasked with introducing the JSF aircraft into service with the Royal Air Force.{{Cite web |url=http://94.236.30.48/rafconingsby/aboutus/17reservesquadron.cfm |title=RAF Coningsby - 17 (Reserve) Squadron |access-date=3 February 2012 |archive-date=28 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128211824/http://94.236.30.48/rafconingsby/aboutus/17reservesquadron.cfm |url-status=dead }} It is equipped with four F35Bs and currently operates from Edwards Air Force Base in the United States.{{cite web|title=17(R) Squadron|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/17squadron.cfm|website=raf.mod.uk|publisher=Royal Air Force|access-date=19 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028111104/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/17squadron.cfm|archive-date=28 October 2016|url-status=dead}}