Forum: Program and politics

Rather than continue with the "UK MOD in a Muddle" thread - it may be appropriate to start with what is likely to be another waffle on waffle exchange in various media until a decision is made in 2015 supposedly. Also I have no subscription to this magazine and won't - so - let the speculation begin! Very Happy

*UK slashes F-35B numbers but might look to split buy with F-35As 26-Jul-2012

http://jdw.janes.com/public/jdw/index.shtml

"UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has signalled a major revision to the UK's plan for procuring the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)," ...

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It is an interesting lineup and can be summarised as follows:-

Typhoon
There will now be 7 operational squadrons plus OCU and OEU (9 units in all), tranche 1 aircraft won't be retired and will be upgraded plus the Tranche 3 order will be made.

F-35B
Our order will be for 48 F-35B.

F-35A
Post 2030, close to 2040, the Typhoons will be retired and a further order of F-35A's (or the latest land based variant which will still be in production) will be ordered to replace them, bringing our order number up to the original commitment of 138 or possibly more.

Future force post 2030....
Single Fast-jet type military consisting of F-35A and F-35B

Thanks 'boff180' - just to be clear - I'll assume you quote the gist of the article at JANEs mentioned above?

Yes, a copy of the article was circulated via a UK enthusiast email group this morning

Andy

Thanks Andy. JANEs have released a bit more....

UK slashes F-35B numbers but might look to split buy with F-35As By Robert Hewson 7/27/2012

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/def ... 1065969970

"UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has signalled a major revision to the UK's plan for procuring the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), with a sizeable cut in the expected number of F-35B short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft purchased and the possible acquisition of a second variant: the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A.

In remarks on 19 July in the United States, Hammond said the UK would order 48 F-35Bs to equip the UK's future carrier strike force. He added that a follow-on F-35 buy would be set out in a future Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), with the aim of replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon in UK service.

Hammond was in the US to attend the handover of the UK's first F-35B (BK-1) at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth facility. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed his comments, telling IHS Jane's : "The defence secretary said that initially the UK would buy 48 jets for the aircraft carriers and announce at a later date what the final numbers would be. We will not finalise our decisions on the F-35 programme until SDSR in 2015."

That is it; without buying the article - or subscription purchased or whatever.

That only works if all the Bs are turned over to the RN for exclusive use in naval aviation. With spares and training, you get two frontline squadrons, maybe three if things are stretched.

Will 48 F-35Bs be enough to justify the 2nd CVF when a decision is expected in 2015?

Will 48 F-35Bs be enough to justify the 2nd CVF when a decision is expected in 2015?

Why not. The aircraft are transportable anywhere. Ships/Carriers/Flat Decks have to have regular maintenance cycles of various lengths over the years, depending on wear and tear. Having two flat decks means at least one is available at short notice. Always best to have three but there you go - two will have to do - doncha know. Very Happy

Why not. The aircraft are transportable anywhere. Ships/Carriers/Flat Decks have to have regular maintenance cycles of various lengths over the years, depending on wear and tear. Having two flat decks means at least one is available at short notice. Always best to have three but there you go - two will have to do - doncha know. Very Happy

I have seen others speculate that the F-35As (if purchased) might be also used as training aircraft for some of the F-35B training time with only the STOVLie bits done on the Bs. But that might introduce other complications. Whatever. Three years is a long time in UK Defence Procurement Politics. (YEP I WON"T REPEAT THIS!). Very Happy

Uh oh, don't look know Spaz but I think you've picked up Popcorn's case of the stutters! Shocked

DubbleWammy! Eh. Nah I won't repeat it. Wot up doc?

popcorn wrote:

Will 48 F-35Bs be enough to justify the 2nd CVF when a decision is expected in 2015?

Well, it does have to replace Ocean's role.

Perfidious Albion

Forum: Program and politics

UK slashes F-35B numbers but might look to split buy F-35As