Future of F-35B under Trump.

[page_verify]

My guess would be 50/50, although the threat from North Korea is obviously a lot different than the one from Russia and China.

[Contrail1958]

Does anyone think Donald Trump will cancel the F-35B?

If so where would that leave the UK's procurement of the jet?

Why would he just cancel the B version

[page_verify]

Economies of scale? Reduce risk? I don't know enough about the F-35 program but if America suddenly wants to order significantly more of one model, it might sacrifice the investment being made for other models to get a better all round deal. The manufacturers might even incentivise them to change their order given the chance as well if things aren't going well.

[herbert]

Thanks for all your comments.

I was only thinking about the F-35B rather than the entire F-35 programme as a whole. I thought it might be quite exposed as the most problematical model thus far.

[willow70]

The thing that may bin the F35B is likely to be its own poor performance in operational conditions . If it works ok on windswept decks and being shot at by enemies the Marines will want to keep it.

[robinminffordd]

During Ronald Reagan's time did'nt the US regard the UK as their first line of defence? Therefore you might assume that Trump would keep Mildenhall & Lakenheath to deflect enemy attacks from the US, or even buy and reopen Leuchars to protect his golf course!

[Phil Standfield]

During Ronald Reagan's time did'nt the US regard the UK as their first line of defence? Therefore you might assume that Trump would keep Mildenhall & Lakenheath to deflect enemy attacks from the US, or even buy and reopen Leuchars to protect his golf course!

[Fat Bob John]

During Ronald Reagan's time did'nt the US regard the UK as their first line of defence? Therefore you might assume that Trump would keep Mildenhall & Lakenheath to deflect enemy attacks from the US, or even buy and reopen Leuchars to protect his golf course!

Golf Courses

[GUNHOG]

Hopefully he is a A10 fan as well