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RAF / RN F-35 Purchase - Discussion thread

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grimreaper
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Location: nottingham

Re: RAF / RN F-35 Purchase - Discussion thread

Post by grimreaper » Wed May 18, 2016 7:12 pm

I was under the impression that plans were already in place for the building of the lockheed martin hub at the heath to stop other countries having to fly stateside for upgrades etc.


Canberra TT.18
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Re: RAF / RN F-35 Purchase - Discussion thread

Post by Canberra TT.18 » Fri May 20, 2016 11:48 am

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ge-425561/
Smyth told an F-35 conference in London on 19 May that the first frontline F-35B unit for the UK – 617 Sqn – is in the process of forming ahead of standing up in January 2018. This is driving a need for more training to exploit the capability of the aircraft.

“We’re very much in a transition here. We’re going through various iterations of CONOPS [concept of operations] development. We need to ensure that the training remains fit for purpose,” he says.

All planned F-35 acquisitions will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, which will eventually host four frontline squadrons, one operational conversion unit (OCU) and the sustainment fleet. It is planned for the OCU to be established in the coming months, he adds.
Pieter

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Re: RAF / RN F-35 Purchase - Discussion thread

Post by page_verify » Mon Jul 11, 2016 5:36 pm

RAF hints that UK could still opt for mixed F-35 fleet

A Royal Air Force official has revealed that the UK has not ruled out acquiring a mixed fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35s, as the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B that is currently contracted carries out its first display to the British public.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... le-427136/


Apparently, the suggestion is As and Bs, rather than Bs and Cs.

Tally-ho
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Re: RAF / RN F-35 Purchase - Discussion thread

Post by Tally-ho » Mon Jul 11, 2016 7:51 pm

Further to the above:-

UK Air Force Mulls F-35A Benefits as US Jets Visit England (Defense News)

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /86892660/

From the article:-
British F-35 officials at the show [Fairford] confirmed there is interest in the conventional takeoff version and that the issue could start to be addressed as soon as the next strategic defence and security review (SDSR), currently scheduled for 2020.

“What we will do as we go forward into the next SDSR is look at the force mix,” said Air Commodore Linc Taylor, the Royal Air Force officer responsible for delivery of the British F-35 program.
The MoD has committed to buying a total of 138 F-35's, but nowhere have I read that all of them will be of the 'B' STOVL version. Into the mix there could well be room for X amount of the conventional 'A' version. And thinking of future RAF force structures, the already very visible 'buy American' in the light of no new European (Eurofighter) consortium of multi-nation participants, enhancing the UK/USA 'special relationship' makes sense.

The new incumbents at No 10 and the White House (very soon and soon) will bring re-affirmation of the 'special relationship'.

johnwayne
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Re: RAF / RN F-35 Purchase - Discussion thread

Post by johnwayne » Mon Jul 11, 2016 8:12 pm

Given the F35A's vastly superior payload/range compared to the 'B' version , a mixed fleet of 'A' and B' versions would appear to make sense. Of the planned buy of 138 aircraft less than half would be required for our 2 carriers even allowing for attrition replacements/fleet sustainment etc. Can't see any good rationale for buying lots of less capable & more expensive 'B' models if they're only required for land based operations .

Yorkshire82
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Re: RAF / RN F-35 Purchase - Discussion thread

Post by Yorkshire82 » Thu Jul 21, 2016 2:40 pm

Could this future mix of possible A versions also have something to do with the realisation that the Typhoon as capable as it is, wont quite be what the Tornado GR4 is for certain things?

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