The 2010 SAR puts the STOVL mission parameters as having a 544ft STO and carrying 2 JDAMS & 2 AMRAAMS. BTW, the KPP says HHH profile. It does not state VL or standard landing (my bet is on VL).

but I expect that we’ll see a lot of jets like the Block 20 F-22s, confined to test and training and not economically attractive to fix.

There is already money set aside in previous budgets (ie already spent) to upgrade Blk1&2 jets to Blk3. The reason is simple; Blk1&2 jets are primarily Eglin AFB training jets. You cannot effectively train a pilot for a Blk3 jet using Blk1&2.

Also, the JSF program learned it’s lesson well about the need to upgrade early jets from the mistakes of the F-22 program. The JSF program designed the avionics of the F-35 so that there is a great amount of growth potential built in.

Well they are training jets (hello, Eglin AFB). One of the hallmarks (and potential headaches) of the JSF program has been its concurrency. By the time the Eglin pilots are to the point where they are to be dropping bombs and shooting missiles, AF-2 would have gone through its weapon separation testing to validate what is in Blk1. Concurrency allows these things to happen in close proximity rather than waiting for the testing to be compete before production of the training F-35s begins. Again this is why Blk1 jets can be delivered 10 years after dev start compared to 15 years from dev to delivery for the EF.

Actually, yes (with UAI as part of Blk3).

– Launch cruise missiles (similar to Scalp EG) Blk4 – JASSM, JSM, Stormshadow, etc
– Launch nuclear cruise missiles (similar to ASMPA) Blk4 – DCA integration
– Launch anti ship missiles (exocet) Blk3 with JSOW-C1 and Blk4 with JASSM, Stormshadow, etc
– Strike fixed and moving targets off boresight and up to 50+ km from high alt or up to 15 km from very low alt. Blk3 with SDB1 and JSOW
– Lock ground and air targets from their radar emissions, and destroy them with either air to air missile of aforementionned weapon Blk3 – any weapon can be targeted using any sensor [radar, ETOS, EW, EODAS, etc]
– Do a reconnaissance mission with a dedicated reconnaissance pod unknown as not publically stated as part of it’s dev cycle.
– Refuel other fighters with a nounou pod Not part of the requirement, we have a whole fleet of tankers for that.

I can play that game too. Wake me when the Rafale has:
-Operational AESA in all planes
-Operational IIR IRST in all planes
-Has an HMD
-Can passively track non-emitting airborne threats (both aircraft and missile) in the WVR rangeband.
-Has a directional LPI datalink
-Has the ability to integrate new weapons WITHOUT changing or upgrading the software on the fighter.

It will be what the F-35 “should cost”, both in acquisition and O&S costs. It should be broken down by variant (as they should not be the same cost). Multiple puns intended 😉

The “should price” should be out this month, pun intended 😉