UK Defence Force General discussion

Terran

Terran

Well-Known Member
The RAF has been a long time member of the Nuclear Sharing agreements. The retirement of the Tornado however leaves them with out a compatible aircraft. Only F35A, F16, F15E are certified and available internationally. F35A is the only version of the Lightning for it. Though in theory other aircraft could be so configured it would require investment in equipping the fighter to use the PALs system to unlock said bomb. Something the US won’t do on a foreign plane without access its source code and won’t do on other aircraft it makes without someone paying the bill.
 
S

south

Well-Known Member
spoz said:
Interesting argument. I’m no expert on the various models of F35, but it seems surprising that time on the A model would be useful in converting to the B, given their differing operating modes. Indeed, I would have thought that flying the A would be likely to develop reactions which would be completely inapplicable, even dangerous, in the B. To m6 innocent mind, it sound# much more like the precursor to an argument to by As not Bs (and the Navy need can go hang).
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It’s not really - the benefit of the program...

The mission systems and avionics are all common, training is common, and most procedures are common.

The RAF/RN have 48 F-35B, with 15 more on order for a currently planned fleet of 63. On any given day this might provide 30-40 serviceable F-35B’s, which is more than enough for one QE carrier to sail, and still enough should both carriers sail simultaneously.
 
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