I assume there are plans to equip the RAF/RN’s F-35B STOVL fleet with buddy re-fuelling stores?

If not I feel this would be an absolutely huge mistake and make the air group significantly less flexible and frankly safe then it could be.

Thoughts???

Good Idea. Lots of potential. 🙂

Two options:
1. stealthy external fuel tanks
2. fuel tanks inside the weapons bay

I’m curious as to how sophisticated russian aircraft-testing infrastructure is? How much is India paying to use those facilities for the SARAS program I wonder. 😎

At the end of the day its nice for India to have an ally like Russia where significant aircraft flaws can be reproduced in sophisticated test labs and rectified quickly. 😎

This very, very interesting graphic from Richard Beedall’s Navy Matters summarizes the results of the F35 versions: effective performances against requirements:

That graphic maynot give the complete picture. You need to have cost comparisons between the F35A and C, g-rating/sustained turn-rate differences due to the folding wing, strengthened fuselage, beefier landing gear etc on the F35C, etc …

Then maybe a clearer picture will emerge. i hope UK gets the best aircraft. 😉

I am not sure about that. SARAS is a unique design. Its not a conventional turboprop or a turbofan. Very few planes in this class have gone into production successfully Ex: Piaggio P180 Avanti II Twin Engine TurboProp.

Its not easy to build a pusher configuration. I think the fact that India even attempted something this complex is a credit to them.

Actually, the RAF isn’t such a great supporter of the F35 at all. And i’m not sure about their preference going to the F35B either, since they were said (when money wasn’t so much of a problem) to be considering buying a bunch of F35C to use as a Tornado replacement in Deep-Strike role thanks to their range, stealth and weapon load. (in other words, they wanted them in exchange for the dead FOAS requirement)

I am not sure about this. What is the difference in cost between a F35A and F35C. I think its quite a bit.(15-25million$).

If the RAF didn’t want the STOVL F35B the obvious choice would be F35A. Far lower unit costs and hence can be purchased in more numbers.

(If we go by your logic, all customers of the F35A would just pitch for the F35C and drop the F35A).

The RN on the other hand cant use the F35A.

1. The propulsion is electric, & IIRC has space & weight allocated for additional turbines. Power is not a problem.
2. Although no steam catapults are being built at present, resuming manufacture is easy, & that will be true as long as the current steam catapults are kept in use.
3. Wrong question. It’s not just the RN, but also the RAF. One huge advantage of STOVL is that land-based pilots can qualify for carrier operations quickly & relatively easily, enabling a joint force. Both the UK & Italy are adopting this model, with air force F-35Bs available to reinforce the carrier air groups when needed.

1. Ok. Good job by the designers.
2. Not necessarily steam launch. Land-based EMALS system has passed tests. link
3. I am not referring to the RAF. The problems of the RN are unique to it and can’t be combined with the RAF. Only the RN has this option between F35B or C.

Note: I am aware that the RAF prefers the F35B. This is a different topic and very interesting indeed :). Howver, I would prefer if this doesnot cloud this naval discussion.