The only possibility of an enhanced engine for the B is the F-135, the enhanced options they've been discussing recently appear to be the Growth Option 1 and 2 that have been around since 2017. GO1 gets 6-10% more thrust and 5-7% less fuel burn by the 'drop in' replacement of a few components, GO2 is more complex but is essentially GO1 with more power management (electrical) and thermal management. By all accounts GO1 is ready to go...I suspect GO1 or GO2 would be good enough for the UK's F-35B.Jensy wrote:With the ongoing A model engine fracas I'd be fairly relaxed about delaying until it's certain that there isn't an enhanced power plant option for the B. However the RAF fast jet fleet is not exactly overflowing with aircraft post-IR.
There just isn't the headroom in the Combat Air budget, even stretching the F-35B to 60+ is going to be tough before 2030 (fingers crossed for 70ish..) along with weapons integration and Typhoon radar enhancements. If there was spare cash it would really need to go on Typhoon T2 radars and large area displays etc. Typhoon will need a bit of an MLU...after 2030 its all about keeping what we have current and Tempest.Jensy wrote:Cynically I'd wager till when (if) Tempest numbers start being discussed. Replacing Typhoon would appear to be the only way UK Lightning numbers are going to get to three figures, much less 138.
I don't think Spain will go for the A, or for that matter 25 F-35B (think it will be less). As for France, they seemed fairly relaxed about the proposed 20 Typhoon, it actually benefits them if the facilities in Spain are kept current, they need Airbus Defence to be solvent as well, plus Indra getting experiened in sensors is needed for FCAS.Jensy wrote:We seem destined to be the only, sole B user. Will be interesting to see how the small split fleets work out.
I wonder what would irk France more, Spanish F-35As or more Typhoons..? Poor Luftwaffe, everyone else is getting what they supposedly wanted....
Don't feel too sorry for the Germans...the've still got the 28 new Typhoon under Project Quadriga ordered....thats more new fighters in the order books than we do...
It's gone very quiet, not unusual with German procurement which tends to take an age...problem is they don't have too long...ArmChairCivvy wrote:Been out of the [Mach ] loop for a third of a year... are they still on with their SuperHornets, that come with the B-1 ground-hugging radar?