UK Defence Force General discussion

[Redshift]

Confirmation the UK is to buy F-35As, whose role will be to deliver nuclear weapons.
At the moment only 12 F-35As will be ordered.
So presumably they will be solely focused on the Nuclear strike role and will not have any other function.
The nuclear weapon to be carried is likely the B61-12.
So not an independent UK airborne nuclear capability.

UK to expand nuclear deterrent with US fighter jets capable of carrying warheads

Starmer to unveil purchase of 12 F-35A jets that can deliver tactical nuclear weapons, which may be kept at RAF bases

www.theguardian.com

It is the only sensible starting point if this is the way to go. Development of other platforms and weapons will take a decade or more, if this is the future, this development will be started within the year with the aim to equip Tempest.

 

[Takao]

It is the only sensible starting point if this is the way to go. Development of other platforms and weapons will take a decade or more, if this is the future, this development will be started within the year with the aim to equip Tempest.

Buying only 12 airframes? That (due to it's different sized internal bay) need all the RAF weapons to be trialled and certified again? That, while there are some similarities with the F-35B, offer little spares or training commonality? That can't be refuelled by RAF assets?

To carry, what, 4 nukes? Maybe 8 if the F-35 serviceability Gods are playing nice? That's not a nuclear deterrent, its a desktop review attempt at something.

The UK already has a nuclear deterrent, this idea simply takes money and focus from the conventional forces for little benefit.

 

[Redshift]

Y

Buying only 12 airframes? That (due to it's different sized internal bay) need all the RAF weapons to be trialled and certified again? That, while there are some similarities with the F-35B, offer little spares or training commonality? That can't be refuelled by RAF assets?

To carry, what, 4 nukes? Maybe 8 if the F-35 serviceability Gods are playing nice? That's not a nuclear deterrent, its a desktop review attempt at something.

The UK already has a nuclear deterrent, this idea simply takes money and focus from the conventional forces for little benefit.

Yes correct it is the only sensible starting point if this is to be a future direction for our armed forces.

 

[Terran]

Buying only 12 airframes? That (due to it's different sized internal bay) need all the RAF weapons to be trialled and certified again? That, while there are some similarities with the F-35B, offer little spares or training commonality? That can't be refuelled by RAF assets?

To carry, what, 4 nukes? Maybe 8 if the F-35 serviceability Gods are playing nice? That's not a nuclear deterrent, its a desktop review attempt at something.

The UK already has a nuclear deterrent, this idea simply takes money and focus from the conventional forces for little benefit.

It’s actually maintaining of the existing Nuclear sharing agreements in NATO and the U.S.
The maintenance of that was as a tactical option. The Deterrent system has a high degree of overwatch on it. Silos and SLBM launches are easily detected. Where a Bomb or Cruise missile especially on a stealth would not set off the alarm until it detonated. In the other side of that coin it comes with a larger KT Yeild.
It’s a similar capability to the French. B61 has been classed as a Tactical Nuclear weapon with the current B61 mod 12 having a smaller blast yield than the Trident system. Official numbers for the mod 12 having 4 options .3kt, 1.5kt, 10kt and a max of 50 KT. Vs the British Holbrook warhead which is also dial a yield but a much larger max. The range is said to be 10-100kt plus each Trident is packing up to 12 warheads.
The Trident is a Strategic weapon it’s meant to destroy the enemy’s country. The B61 is a tactical weapon it’s meant to break a massed offensive. It’s not a Deterrent capability. The UK gave up its indigenous capabilities in this class back in 98 when it retired the We177.
In the past the U.S. partnered to integrate the launch capability of the B61 into the Tornato bomber but the same thing hasn’t happened with the Eurofighter. Neither the F35B or F35C are compatible. The integration isn’t as simple as testing if the bomb will sit on the wing but involves integration of technology to allow the Bomb and fighter to talk to each other particularly in regards to the Permissive Action Link. F35A has been integrated with the Link as an option where the Navy and Marines elected not to due to differences in doctrine.