Questions on the F35

[hernaman86]

Hi have a couple of questions i wondered if someone could help me with.

1 - Watching last nights one show about he F35, it was said that 25% of the production of the aircraft was done in the UK - and i understand that we are the only level 1 partner - is that only on the B variant, or are we partners on the A and C variant too, and also is 25% of the A and C variant made in the UK or is just the B?

2 - Are all our Jets RAF, will the navy not own any? I know that the RAF ones will operate off the carriers, but will the navy not actually have any of their own?

3 - Would the RAF F35b's ever do QRA or air policing, i know we have the Typhoon, but would there ever be a case where F35's would be scrambled because of their stealth abilities or will air policing be purely left to the Typhoon?

[reaper493]

1. I believe the level one refers to development and 'knowing the most' about the a/c, ie having full access to systems and full potential. Again, i believe the 25% figure is for each and every f-35 variant, but i could be wrong.

2. We currently have 617 sqd as the operational squadron, and 207 sqd as the OCU. I believe the next squadron to form will be a RNAS. How ever all squadrons are staffed by RN and RAF Crews, and the jets will most likely be pooled.

3. I reckon we will have enough Typhoons to conduct air policing, especially with the new squadrons forming. But would guess F35's could conduct air policing if needed.

Someone else more in the know could probably elaborate more, this is just what i think would be the case.

Cheers

Mike

[Agent K]

I think reaper493 catches it nicely, I'll add the following:

2. Re "ownership" I'm led to believe that the RAF will "own" and thus manage all the aircraft. They will be pooled of course.

3. I think that for home defence the Typhoon will provide all aspects, there's no plans to stand up any unit for air defence only, it's a multi role aircraft. For out of area ops. the plan would be to mix Typhoon and F35 in strike packages, and given the F35 has A2A capability then it will surely provide fleet air defence along with Ground to Air missile ships.

[hernaman86]

thanks guys, questions answered! have a nice day

[TonyO]

1. The figure is actually 15% UK industrial content on F-35, although we were extensively involved in the development of flight control systems etc for the STOVL B-model.
2. British F-35 fleet the "Lightning Force" an RAF/FAA construct. All UK F-35Bs will be pooled. RAF has 58% of the manning, the RN/FAA has 42%. Lightning Force will always be commanded by an RAF officer, with a RN deputy.
3. Probably not, although who knows if we get A-models in the future?

[Supra]

A vote for TonyO in the back seat next time (assuming his ratings are current?) & then we can hear the facts about the 'Lightning II Force' & not regurgitated RAF PR.

[TonyO]

A vote for TonyO in the back seat next time (assuming his ratings are current?) & then we can hear the facts about the 'Lightning II Force' & not regurgitated RAF PR.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, but one has a face for radio!

[Fighterfoto]

1. The 25% figure given by the Air Cdre was for the development of the aircraft. As Tony states, 15% is the share of each jet which is made by U.K. companies.

2. 207 Sqn has not yet reformed so we have 17 TES doing operational test work and 617 as the first frontline squadron currently working up to Initial Operating Capability.

3. QRA will remain with the Typhoon Force. Lightning could certainly do it if need be in due course.

[Redflag17]

new question -
Will our F35 engines have to go to Turkey for service/overhaul??

[toom317]

It's probably fair to say that RAF pilots will spend time aboard carriers, but will engineering trades be expected to embark as well, or will that all be done by Navy personnel?

[TonyO]

It's probably fair to say that RAF pilots will spend time aboard carriers, but will engineering trades be expected to embark as well, or will that all be done by Navy personnel?

It's no different to the Joint Force Harrier construct, RAF and RN personnel, aircrew and engineers going to sea to support the jets.

[toom317]

That's what I was thinking as well Tony. Reason I asked is my nephew is joining the RAF, and would want him to know that if he was to end up on the F35. The difference is, that when jointery came into action, there were people in the RAF, on the Harrier, who had no interest on serving on a boat.

[RubyRoo]

Are future squadrons to be comprised of 9 or 12 aircraft?

617 has been declared ready to go, but only has the 9 so far?

Also in terms of weaponry, what capabilities will the F-35B lack compared to the Typhoon?

[Agent K]

I believe that 12 will be the full squadron strength.

It's not really comparing F35 to Typhoon as these types will complement each other, I guess things such as Storm Shadow will not be carried, but F35 will have a decent air-ground and air-air capability and a superior sensor suite.

[RubyRoo]

I believe that 12 will be the full squadron strength.

It's not really comparing F35 to Typhoon as these types will complement each other, I guess things such as Storm Shadow will not be carried, but F35 will have a decent air-ground and air-air capability and a superior sensor suite.

Thank you very much, Agent K.

I wasn't in any way trying to denigrate the F-35 as I do actually think it's a great platform, even the B model.

I was really only trying to work out what capabilities the RAF may lose due to the Tornados imminent retirement.

[Agent K]

No, it's a good question, and the capabilities lost from the Tornado have been incorporated on the Typhoon undere Project Centurion, namely Storm Shadow and Brimstone, and also Meteor has been added too.

[Bluetail]

No, it's a good question, and the capabilities lost from the Tornado have been incorporated on the Typhoon undere Project Centurion, namely Storm Shadow and Brimstone, and also Meteor has been added too.

The situation as I see it is that only Brimstone needs to be integrated now on Typhoon, 6 Sqn at Lossiemouth are the lead unit for Stormshadow and were signed off late last year. The first Q Launch with Meteor fitted to a Typhoon was publicly acknowledge by Lossiemouth in December 2018. I think Brimstone is almost there (for Typhoon) or might even be there now, if I recall all Tornado's have now returned from Op Shader thus giving credence to my Brimstone assumption. Once all these three weapon platforms are fully integrated into Typhoon, Tornado dies and just like the Jaguar did and it will happen very quickly, and it will also probably be way before the end of March. Once the enthusiast day is done and the grand Tornado tour, thats it.

[RubyRoo]

Many thanks to both of you. Really informative.

[Fighterfoto]

Bluetail

Not exactly:

Brimstone is now integrated on Typhoon.

Tornado has not returned from Shader and continues to fly operational sorties.

The GR4 fleet remains on the frontline and therefore available for ops until the OSD of 31 Mar 19.

[Bluetail]

Bluetail

Not exactly:

Brimstone is now integrated on Typhoon.

Tornado has not returned from Shader and continues to fly operational sorties.

The GR4 fleet remains on the frontline and therefore available for ops until the OSD of 31 Mar 19.

Thanks for the update, its nice to know they are still being used on Shader.