The F-35A cant be used on carriers. The RAF would operate them independently of the FAA.
It does have parts conformity with other F-35 in service.
And its Gen 5 which is the most important thing an aircraft can be currently…
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The RAF would be buying F-35Bs, like the ones they already have.
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I believe there are people testing it for some reports. Current consensus is that its way too fast at common altitudes in WT and its overperforming in STR by 1 deg/sec if what I’m told is correct.
Apparently it also has a lower channel loss value than the F15C so perhaps it has too much thrust.
Obligatory, I haven’t tested this, i have no idea if its true or not just from my conversings with people.
Do they have allowable sources for its performance though?
No they were looking at the A model, which is produced in higher numbers and easier to acquire than the B variant…Crazy I know
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I assume so but I can’t be sure. Though the speed one is definitely allowable, so perhaps an associated reduction in thrust would fix the STR on its own
That’s not what the article says though. They were asked if they would buy the F-35A and said:
48 F-35B Lightning aircraft are on contract, and the UK has funded plans to increase the fleet to 74 aircraft with its Tranche 2 procurement.
Along with:
We will make decisions on further purchases beyond the 74 around the middle of the decade
That’s a typical government non-answer. Nothing they said confirms they were seriously considering buying F-35As, the minister just doesn’t want to be held to anything.
Refusing to rule out is not the same as a commitment, if you want the full breakdown, the UK is recommitting to its original order of F-35Bs (130 or so iirc) and there’s talk of expanding the order, however the B has the longest lead time, so there’s talk of instead of ordering more Bs to order some As instead as the lead time is the shortest. Nothing concrete and no contracts have been signed lmao
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Similar to when the UK rushed for US Phantoms J models as the Tornado integration was delayed and they had retired too many airframes to meet their needs.
They have just retired 30+ Typhoons (older ones but have no replacements) The F-35A would be an easy quick fix
What are you on about
They are not buying F35As
It’s been discussed as an option
There are no orders for Typhoons currently from the RAF.
They just retired 30 or so airframes that need replaced in some capacity.
We can only go on the information available.
The UK is having a defence review and just had a government change, major purchases won’t be made until after that has been conducted in January-February.
AFAIK its not even a Government discussion its from Twitter defence commentators like Britsky, Thinkdefence, Nicholas Drummond and Bear.
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Mate so was, F-16, F-15, F-14, F-18, F-22 even Rafale when we were developing Typhoon. Saying its considered is almost meaningless.
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The closest was the previous Defense Minister saying we wouldn’t not consider F-35As in the future when questioned in parliament.
That was before Typhoon procurement.
There are no orders for UK Typhoons.
Yes that can change and we all hope it does.
Time for Eurofighter II electric boogaloo and a QE carrier refit. Redesign it for L/O and add tonnes of RAM and then keep the avionics more or less the same as T5 Eurofighter, add EJ 200 Tranche 2 and an arrestor hook and say goodbye to this ridiculous American policy of screwing their customers.
Even if it ended up being a UK only venture. Though if they ever went through with it I can see the other nations buying into it without the carrier compatibility.
Of course such a thing would never happen as we are much to cheap for that.
Even less credible then lol.
? Ehhh
I really don’t see how its laughable, the UK has already invested billions, it has 2 international partners including 2 of the nations with the most advanced stealth technology outside of America, it has a workshare agreement and a contract that penalises them if they leave such a project.
They also were the only tier 1 partner on F-35 and had actual input into the basic design, and have had multiple 2nd generation stealth developments which are confirmed to have been used on F-35.
They have a new engine developed, they’re building a prototype 6th gen airframe right next to where they build current 5th gen airframes and using knowledge they gained and used to help Turkey develop their own 6th generation airframe…
What part of that screams ‘they won’t be able to develop a Gen 6 airframe’. If anyone can do it outside of the US you’d think the UK would be able to.
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So in theory the Typhoon wing pylons can carry everything (Brimstones, bombs, A2G missiles, and A2A missiles) since the hardware and system are the same and all compatible in all wing pylons?
Because they cannot afford to do anything.
It depends on potential supporters and if the UK can match the US offering that is cheaper
We have had numerous opportunities to attack the export market.
Would be great to see.