A couple of squadrons of B-21s would be a nice replacement for Tornado, although perhaps more in the spirit of Vulcan. Perhaps if the nation collectively scoured down the back of their sofas for loose change...SW1 wrote:
If we give back the small ones do u think they would give us the large one? The B2 is an exquisite aircraft.
F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
- ArmChairCivvy
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Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Simon82 wrote: more in the spirit of Vulcan
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
And some info on possible chaff dispensers in the future as well as more on its EW suite
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/2 ... irculation
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/2 ... irculation
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
(Forces TV) 9th September 2019
British F-35Bs have made history by training with US Air Force B-2 stealth bombers for the first time. The B-2s took part in the integration flying training with the British jets as part of their deployment to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The aircraft, from USAF's Bomber Task Force Europe, will conduct a series of training activities while in the continent.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Correct I remember that statement but...…..SKB wrote:Last year, Jerry Kyd said 7.
Possibly one or more from the Test Squadron and possibly others from the USMC.
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Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
17 Sqn has been constantly mentioned too. Wonder if some of their 3 instrumented jets are coming over from Edwards. Considering the particular role of 17 Sqn, don't think their involvment is limited to personnel only. Unless they use other instrumented jets from the East coast part of the Integrated Test Force, like the ones which did the first embarkation last year.
Curious to see how that one plays out, exactly.
Curious to see how that one plays out, exactly.
You might also know me as Liger30, from that great forum than MP.net was.
Arma Pacis Fulcra.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Arma Pacis Fulcra.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
I seem to remember reading somewhere ( trying to remember-but brain not working! ) that 3 from 617sqn & 2 from 207sqn along with a couple from 17r making 7? thought it was a strange mix but so excited to see them onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in the next week or two?....
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Presumably, these are the three "orange wired" US-based RAF 17 Squadron F-35B's. BK-01, BK-02, BK-04.
(List: @GBdefcorrect)
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
That's great to hear that the there will be quite a few on deck at the same time.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Video of the three planes leaving Marham. BK-14 (ZM148), BK-15 (ZM149), BK-17 (ZM151).
https://www.forces.net/news/british-f-3 ... ght-trials
They will land at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort in South Carolina, before making the final leg to land on QE.
https://www.forces.net/news/british-f-3 ... ght-trials
They will land at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort in South Carolina, before making the final leg to land on QE.
- ArmChairCivvy
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Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
The 'configurable' airwingSDL wrote:3 from UK, 3 from the US
- the rest made up by helos
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)
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Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
All good historical (and up to date) logged evidence of the RAF withholding Fast Jet assets from Carrier Strike. It should make the eventual transfer of the F35Bs to the RN far easier to justify. Not a good start for (RAF) "F35B Operational Squadron" qualification & training from the QEC Aircraft Carriers. If the RAF have not sent at least 6 x pilots to use those aircraft to get "Carrier Qualified" (and to gain familiarisation with a Carrier deployment) then they are missing an invaluable opportunity, with only one more WESTLANT to go before HMS QE's first operational deployment. Potentially very shoddy indeed.
Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
I think its purely down to the UK only owning eighteen of them so far. Six F-35B's represents an entire third (33%) of the UK's current fleet.