F35 Manufacturer delivery

[grimly aviation pics]

Hi Guys

Can anybody shed any light as to where we are regarding delivery schedule from manufacture. I believe BK-21 (ZM155) is now being built according to BAE's Twitter page, but does anybody know what we have as new which isnt with 17sqd and will possible be with the next delivery flight to the UK which will be later this year potentially

[HighFlyer21]

Are all 138 to be based at Marham?

[rh226]

Hi Guys

Can anybody shed any light as to where we are regarding delivery schedule from manufacture. I believe BK-21 (ZM155) is now being built according to BAE's Twitter page, but does anybody know what we have as new which isnt with 17sqd and will possible be with the next delivery flight to the UK which will be later this year potentially

As far as I can make out, only ZM153/154/155 (BK-19/BK-20/BK-21) may be available. They are all that are being produced for us in Lot 12.

[RubyRoo]

3 in 2020, 6 in 2021 and 8 in 2022.

[RubyRoo]

Are all 138 to be based at Marham?

I'd say it's unlikely that the RAF would ever have 138 at any one time. If they do commit to purchasing 138, then early batches may be retired as new batches come in.

All guess work though. They may yet still split the F-35 purchase into A and B variants with some of the A's going on to either Coningsby or Lossiemouth, but that would require substantial infrastructure needing to be built at both to accommodate them.

We won't know until we get there, and by that time I suspect I'll be long gone

[Unknown74]

Can anyone tell me wether 41 Sqdn are receiving any F-35Bs? I guess probably not but thought I would ask anyway.

[RubyRoo]

Can anyone tell me wether 41 Sqdn are receiving any F-35Bs? I guess probably not but thought I would ask anyway.

I don't think they are. All test and evaluation is being carried out by 17sqn.

[Phoon]

Are all 138 to be based at Marham?

I'd say it's unlikely that the RAF would ever have 138 at any one time. If they do commit to purchasing 138, then early batches may be retired as new batches come in.

All guess work though. They may yet still split the F-35 purchase into A and B variants with some of the A's going on to either Coningsby or Lossiemouth, but that would require substantial infrastructure needing to be built at both to accommodate them.

We won't know until we get there, and by that time I suspect I'll be long gone

I very much doubt any F35s will be based at either Coningsby or Lossiemouth. Any replacement for the Typhoon (with an OSD of 2040) is likely to be the as yet concept only Tempest. Additionally I think whilst we may yet see some alternative F35 version purchased other than the 'B', we are unlikely to purchase the magic figure of 138. Orders are only placed for 37 airframes with a firm commitment not extending past 48 at this time. Personally think we will struggle to get to 80 or 90.