More trouble for the RN... F-35 JSF behind schedule and over cost

[TopGun]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8492430.stm

 

Those new carriers are looking more dodgy by the day!

[Upwind]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8492430.stm

 

Those new carriers are looking more dodgy by the day!

 

Best thing about this was the quote on BBC scrolling news this morning where it said.

 

'US Defence Secretary Robert Gates sacks the marine general in charge of F-35 strike fighter jet for not hitting targets'

 

Now I knew it meant finiancial targets but it made me smirk

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Irrespective of any teething problems this large and complex programme is experiencing in the medium/long term securing a place on board the F35 JSF will undoubtedly provide both the Fleet Air Arm with a state of the art stealth aircraft and prove to be a very good piece of business for 'UK PLC' in the process . Anyone with even the slightest interest in military aviation will be aware of just how successful the F35's predecessor -the F16 - has been in commercial and military terms and as 1000's of these excellent aircraft come up for replacement over the next 20/30 years the F35 will be well placed to secure the lions share of that business - with a significant proportion of that work heading our way .

 

While the benefits to our beleaguered manufacturing economy are obvious the aircraft itself is an amazing piece of kit , for example sensors embedded all over the airframe will feed images to the pilots computerised helmet sight enabling him to virtually 'see' through solid objects (such as the floor or wings of the aircraft) as if they weren't there - even Luke Skywalker couldn't do that ! The version of the F35 we are interested in (the F35B) will replace the famous Harrier 'jump jet' and frankly it will offer a quantum leap in capability , kinda like exchanging a old Cortina for a new Mondeo .

 

The objection will certainly be raised that we can't afford the F35B JSF and the two 'Queen Elizabeth' Class aircraft carriers they will operate from at this time . My reply to this is that the reasoning behind the decision to build the carriers (expeditionary warfare) is as sound now as it was when it was taken and that as the carriers are largely contracted for already for it's too late now to cancel them anyway . Naturaly it makes absolutly no sense to build aircraft carriers and then not buy any aircraft to fly from them .

 

My solution to the funding issue would be to cancel plans for a land based RAF F35 force and just buy around 70 (rather than the planned 150) for use primarily aboard the RN's carriers . As this design will be in production for decades to come in all likelihood (unlike Eurofighter) I see no reason why we should not spread the cost and order them in small batches - something like buying 10 a year for 7 years may be just about affordable even for our ever shrinking defence budget .

 

We are an island nation absolutely dependent on the freedom of the seas for our national survival , consequently we still need to have a navy that counts for something in the world .

 

 

Edited 2 February, 2010 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[TopGun]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8494547.stm

 

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth says RN "likely" to get carriers but wouldn't comment on F-35s.

 

Giant helicopter assault ships, here we come!