Post by ngatimozart on May 10, 2012 21:03:04 GMT 12
The UK govt has again changed it's mind on the F35B (STOVL). Originally the two new RN carriers Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales were to be STOVL carriers much like the last HMS Ark Royal which operated Harriers.
However the incoming govt in 2010 decided to ditch the F35B in favour of the conventional Naval F35C because of costs. This involved redesign of the ships converting them to CATOBAR (Catapult Launch and Barrier Landing) with an EM (Electromagnetic) catapult entailing the conversion of one ship, the mothballing of the second and extra expenditure of 1.8 billion UK Pounds. This also meant that the RN would have a large amount of time without carrier capability.
Well today it has been reported that they have changed their minds again and gone back to the original plan citing costs. What has remained unsaid is that the F35B has met and exceeded expectations after initial technical difficulties. Original the UK was going to purchase 150 F35Bs to be jointly operated by the RAF & RN. However this number has probably be reduced significantly but no numbers have been released.
However the incoming govt in 2010 decided to ditch the F35B in favour of the conventional Naval F35C because of costs. This involved redesign of the ships converting them to CATOBAR (Catapult Launch and Barrier Landing) with an EM (Electromagnetic) catapult entailing the conversion of one ship, the mothballing of the second and extra expenditure of 1.8 billion UK Pounds. This also meant that the RN would have a large amount of time without carrier capability.
Well today it has been reported that they have changed their minds again and gone back to the original plan citing costs. What has remained unsaid is that the F35B has met and exceeded expectations after initial technical difficulties. Original the UK was going to purchase 150 F35Bs to be jointly operated by the RAF & RN. However this number has probably be reduced significantly but no numbers have been released.