I don’t believe that it is possible for a single country to develop a competitive frontline fighter. The cost is too great and most of the major players are multinational concerns, all those UK based are anyway.
Spreading the work across several nations is not necessarily a major hinderance. It can cause difficulties but generally no worse than having several manufacturing plants in different parts of the countries. I’ve worked in both scenarios. Rivalries did exist but that occurred in both instances.
Even if an aircraft is “indigenous” it will most definitely have components outsourced to suppliers in other countries. These components are usually selected as to which best meet the procurement specification, schedule and cost (I’m speaking on experience on commercial programmes here). Though interestingly enough a lot of people are avoiding procuring US parts if possible due to the current ITAR issues which can be a serious hinderance.
“UK doesn’t have the ability”, We have the skills, it’s just we get paid better going to other countries, it’s cheaper there, get better social status there and the weather is usually better.
Does anyone actually need a major fighter design in the foreseeable future ? Where is the major threat in the emerging global economy ? We can’t fight each other anymore on a large national scale because it would have too much effect on our collective investments. OK, maybe that is wishful thinking.
PATRIOTIC RANT TIME
Star49 wrote “And aerospace includes Space Industry and services which UK has none”.
errr…. I beg to differ as the UK Space industry has paid my wage for 14 of the last 18 years since graduating, 6 and a half years spent on the indigenous Skynet 4 program.
We (UK) produce Spacecraft structures, Payloads, Science instruments, Control systems, Complete spacecraft and Ground control systems and Operations services amongst others.
If you want to get historic major high lights are we launched our own satellite (Prospero) on our own launcher (Black Arrow) in 1971. OUR ICBM “Blue Streak formed the first stage of the first Europa launchers, predecessors to Ariane. The Skylark suborbital launcher or “Sounding Rocket” had 441 launches. I could go on….
This however emphasises the problems we UK Aerospace Engineers have. No public perception of our existence/achievements really exists. We don’t sell ourselves properly and the media helps ensure that everyone thinks Space & Aviation is done by the US/China/Russia & maybe the French. All major films about aviation are US based. When was the last UK film about daring contempary British aviators ? I believe this is where the US and France, amongst others succeed. It is a nations attitude towards the various sectors of it’s commerce & industry that counts a lot. These desires/prejudices are deep routed and do affect national policy which is why a country the size of France can do it. They want it and they care about it.
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