Forum: F-35 Lightning II

geogen wrote:

USN does not have Carrier battle groups deployed in Euro zone.

What?? The Untited States Sixth Fleet would disagree with you, they normally takes command of any CSG entering the Med.
And you've never heard of the United States Fleet Forces Command either? The one formally know as the Atlantic Fleet, they're not deployed on Europes doorstep for fun you know and whilst they're not actually based here they are able to arrive at very short notice depending on where abouts they are in the Atlantic they are.

Anyway back on topic... The second UK carrier MAY be mothballed, maybe not. I've yet to see any word officially on the F-35C situation, just conjecture. Can someone link me to the news that says we ARE getting the 35C over the B? Google news can find nothing but speculation on the matter (that I suspect some here may have not read properly and taken it as fact)

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geogen wrote:

Anyway back on topic... The second UK carrier MAY be mothballed, maybe not. I've yet to see any word officially on the F-35C situation, just conjecture. Can someone link me to the news that says we ARE getting the 35C over the B? Google news can find nothing but speculation on the matter (that I suspect some here may have not read properly and taken it as fact)

That could all change - the Tories probably wont even be in to make that decision.

Yes nothing has been said about which version - its just people jumping to conclusions.

F-35 B officially axed by UK

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... imrod.html

Axed but substitute likely less F-35Cs... What's not to like? Twisted Evil

And seeing as two threads are still alive i'll post there here as a repeat:

And in case youse are wondering...

Fact Sheet 9: Carrier Strike (200Kb PDF)

http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X487496& ... strike.pdf
OR
http://alturl.com/wj3sp

Queen Elizabeth-class carriers
Our carrier strike capability will be based around a single operational carrier, with a second planned to be kept at extended readiness. This leaves open options to rotate them, to ensure a continuous UK carrier strike capability; or to regenerate more quickly a two carrier strike capability.

A more effective capability
We will change the programme to deliver a fully effective carrier that is interoperable with key allies such as the US and France. We will:

fit catapult arrestor gear to enable the operation of conventional carrier aircraft and greater cooperation with US and French carriers and naval jets;

buy the more cost-effective and capable carrier variant of the highly advanced Joint Strike Fighter instead of the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant. This has greater range, payload and versatility than the STOVL variant.

Joint Strike Fighter
The Queen Elizabeth-class can carry a mix of fast jets and helicopters. Her most potent capability will be delivered by routinely embarking 12 Joint Strike Fighters jointly operated by Royal Navy and RAF pilots."

[quote="spazsinbad"]Axed but substitute likely less F-35Cs... What's not to like?....quote]

Marines hung out to dry! Whistle

With the "clout??" of the Brits Guiness

gone, the Marines are left with fighting the Jump Jet battle alone. CAS will suffer at the loss of the "Bee" model. Bang Head

but............If this forces the Marines to "get motivated" and push for UAVS and CAS UAVS before the "other" services start preaching their RPA credos then "All may not be lost". Salute

Romantically the "Bees" will be missed but getting a better?? tool will be justified. The Marines gave it their best effort in getting "any" replacement for the Harriers. It just can't pass the "Bucks" criteria! Two Cents

neptune, conveniently you have not mentioned the Italians and Spaniards with other potential F-35B users in future. Certainly the F-35B has to perform as advertised. Who says it won't. Not cancelled yet? I wonder how many Brits will become 'US(MC) citizens' now. Very Happy

Shep,

With regards to USN CSG issue... correct - NO permanently assigned US CVN group in CFE theater was the simple point. Yes, when inchopping into the med typically en route to Suez, they are under joint Europe Forces - 6th fleet command. Of course, 6th fleet AoR is MASSIVE and therefore various CSG deployment when in this AoR (transiting or assigned), covers vast distances over north and south Atlantic, Med and 6th's Eastern African area apparently, too.

With this in context and given the new realities of UK's posture going forward in the mid-term, I therefore would in fact support (and where I was starting to go the other day, pre-news) a commitment for at least one annual joint-NATO CSG TRAINING assignment to Euro theater (north, west or med) with emphasis to bolster loss of Ark Royal (and RN air component) et al. Perhaps a 3-4 week in duration joint-NATO training assignment. The possibility of a permanently assigned CSG (or at least symbolically a CSG Commander) perhaps being HQ'd in UK, could be studied as well - in case of any 'future imbalance' or need, etc, imho. In that case, I'd contemplate Super Hornet-trained RN pilots (and later F-35C accordingly) as possibly equipping at least one of the Fighter squadrons making it a joint-NATO operating CVN. imho.

We have no naval ports that can fit a super carrier, not even Portsmouth can. Some of the commercial ports such as Southampton should fit one though.
Anyway this is drifting OT now.

shep1978 wrote:

We have no naval ports that can fit a super carrier, not even Portsmouth can. Some of the commercial ports such as Southampton should fit one though.
Anyway this is drifting OT now.

Try Felixstowe in Suffolk. Felixstowe is the biggest container port in the UK. They take in the biggest container ships in the world, so a super carrier may just squeeze in there. Then they can play with the USAF boys at Mildenhall or Lakenheath

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

UK to ditch F-35B for Superhornet