The story said there are 3 STOVL B model test aircraft and only 1 A model. I take it the F-35B has taken priority to get it rolling out the factory first? Or is it a case of this aircraft requires a lot more testing because of the STOVL lift fan etc?
Does anyone know what the aircraft production slots are going to be? I’ve read numbers about how many aircraft are getting bought each year but not as to what type they will be? A, B or C. Anyone got any idea’s what model is coming out in what number’s. Are the first production models still coming in 2013? Any idea when the first foreign aircraft are coming out the line? I hope the UK are still getting there aircraft on schedule. it needs to have at least 2 squadron ready to fly by 2014-16 but i’ve got a feeling this will be pushed back. If anyone at the MOD had any sense they would bring the carriers back to the original schedule and save 1 billion pounds and use this to buy more F-35’s. I still can’t believe the UK fiddled with the carrier delivery dates to save a few million pounds in the short term but it’s going to cost over 1 billion pounds more in the long run. Are they trying to get the project cancelled!! I now know why the UK has such big defence expenditure but such little forces and equipment. Unbelievable!!!

I read Lockheed are going to be making nearly 1 fighter per day? This should be good to see. I wonder if i can get a job as a delivery pilot!!

For a GR4 replacement it is really anyone’s guess just now. While i believe that if the UK (and possibly other Tornado operators) really rely on the Tornado just now i’m not sure it will be replaced with an equally good aircraft at it’s role. The replacement aircraft should be better than the Tonka and be a 2 seater low level strike fighter. Now if we are looking at a straight replacement for the mission the Tornado was built for i would be guessing the major improvements would be the ability to super cruise at low altitude (not sure if this will be possible), 2 seats, a larger war load (compared to the Tornado’s ability to carry 2 paveways and a targeting pod), longer range/loiter time, better battle field reconnaissance, ability to easily control UAV/UCAV’s.
The question is do the airforces need a low level strike bomber? Would the airforces be better of with some bigger bomber’s and UCAV’s and COIN aircraft? If you could cheaply develop a kind of cross between a B1 and the tornado then i think this would be ok. If looking at the UK forces only the Tornado will be retired with no replacement. Sure the MOD will say we have some UCAV’s and eurofighters that will fulfill the role better.
It will come down to a defence review and what comes out of this. It looks like cuts all round. If the UK is not going to have the ability conduct operations by its self then what do they need a bomb truck for.
The one possibility that could be a saving grace would be a development with European partner’s for there Tornado replacements or a possible aircraft built in partnerships with France. (on the french front i’ve got a feeling that all there aircraft are to be replaced by Rafale.
An interesting idea i have to keep costs down is take the Tornado airframe, give it a redesign with extended fuselage and lots more fuel. Stick 2 eurofighter engines in it upgraded to give more power at the flying environments, do as much stealth enhancements as possible. Stick new electronics in it. possible small internal bomb bay but with the ability to carry lots of external stores. Keep the 2 seats and the ability to control UAV’s. upgraded electronic counter measures with the possible ability to become an electronic jammer attack aircraft.
For the UK’s case, In reality none of this will happen and the GR4 will be used until they fall out of the sky. Then some Typhoons will be rerolled to replace it with a possible purchase of 2 squadrons of F35C if they are lucky. Most likely the F35B will assume this role. It will depend on numbers of F35B bought. if the 138 are bought then this isn’t such a big issue. If only 50-60 are bought then there will be a constant fight between the navy for the carriers and the RAF for what ever they want to do with them. a possible second purchase of B models may be looked at. The only interesting development will be UCAV’s like Taranis. But can these do the missions of the tornado in Afghanistan just now? who knows?

I think the idea of a COIN carrier is quite similar to what the UK for example does just now. It has 20,000 ton carriers that operate 15+ Ground attack harriers. These are not fitted with radar or made for fleet defence. There main role is bomb and shoot rockets at the enemy. If the MOD didn’t make such a **** up of everything they would have 1-2 30mm or 25 mm cannon’s to fire aswell. The harrier would be the only aircraft available to most european countries if an airfield and landing rights were not available.
Now with range and loiter time is harrier’s isn’t fantastic it’s speed makes up for that a little bit. If you were just to operate COIN turbo prop aircraft the carrier’s are limited to that role only. If you could operate a coin and UAV/UCAV aircraft from small carrier as well as having your 5-6 harriers for other roles i think that would be a real selling point for some countries.
My only worry with a COIN carrier is that while it may be useful just now it may be a complete waste in future conflicts. Flexibility is the key word in procurement just now. We keep hearing some defence people in the UK saying we should scrap all future ships and aircraft and just centre around special forces and anti-terror troops i don’t think this should be done. My concern with the COIN carrier is that this would come at the expence of the main carriers and other ships/subs. If it was an extra purchase then i’m all for it but i would prefer to see COIN aircraft developed to fly off a current or future carriers.

Here’s a picture from an RAF Phantom carrying quite a lot.

A phantom dropping 18 500lb bombs.

I think they are Kreuger-style flaps.

All MiG-29s – from the very first prototype – have had twin nosewheels.

Maybe you are thinking of the Su-27 ???

Ken

Oh well you learn something new everyday. I’d never actually noticed the Mig-29 had a double front wheel. I always though this would be for navy or big aircraft.
Is there a particular reason for he 29 to have the double front wheel?