Depends how the US wants to play it, as of right now the USAF has a trump card which nobody can match. What if they want to keep it that way?Don't know any details but I imagine it's list of buyers and partners would be smaller than for the F-35. I suppose it would be targeted at current F-15E and SH users.
Indeed. A 6Gen jet may likely follow the F-22 rather than F-35 in terms of export availability.Depends how the US wants to play it, as of right now the USAF has a trump card which nobody can match. What if they want to keep it that way?
If it did become international, it'd probably be an incredibly closed group open only to the most secure allies of the US rather than the export drive the F-35 is.
what happens with the new bomber program will be very interesting and the follow on after that. How close to a strike eagle or F111 or whether it will be much larger B1b or something similar and also who wins the contract.I suppose the thing is the F-35 is far in advance of the F-22 in many ways but being a physically smaller aircraft there are some things it will not be able to do as well as a larger airframe. This logically leaves space for a larger, longer range, higher performance aircraft to complement the F-35
The US has a separate long range strike program, I am on my smart phone at the moment so I can't find you a link. Maybe someone else can help with this?what happens with the new bomber program will be very interesting and the follow on after that. How close to a strike eagle or F111 or whether it will be much larger B1b or something similar and also who wins the contract.
Long Range Strike - Bomber LRS-BThe US has a separate long range strike program, I am on my smart phone at the moment so I can't find you a link. Maybe someone else can help with this?
I'd say it probably will be a joint program, when sat alongside the F-35 program it's clear that by-and-large the more severe engineering challenges sat with the B with the A and C versions going relatively smoothly bar the latters problem with it's tail hook.To my novice eye, there seems to be a lot of overlap in their respective wishlist. The big difference would seem to be in the need for ship-based operations but perhaps the perceived benefits of a joint program may once again hold sway.
Assuming we're talking future fighter and not LRSB then I suspect it'd go the same route as F35 - these programs are getting expensive to run on a single nation business, even for the US.Depends how the US wants to play it, as of right now the USAF has a trump card which nobody can match. What if they want to keep it that way?
If it did become international, it'd probably be an incredibly closed group open only to the most secure allies of the US rather than the export drive the F-35 is.
Well Australia is only talking 75 F-35A with a separate buy of 25 aircraft, likely to be F-35A to follow. The 25 may be F-35 or UCAV or something new. They may be replacements for the Super Hornets or even a supplement to them if the RAAF is able to swing government thinking that the Growler versions of the SH (plus a number of supporting airframes I suppose) is actually an ISR asset and not a combat asset so falls outside those projects and numbers.Assuming we're talking future fighter and not LRSB then I suspect it'd go the same route as F35 - these programs are getting expensive to run on a single nation business, even for the US.
Japan? Who else? Australia effectively is plugged into F35A for the foreseeable future - the UK may be a fit as we'd want a replacement for Tiffy by the mid 2030's. I think we can rule out the Dutch and Canadians. South Korea?
Or... to shoot one to left field, they might be F 35B'sWell Australia is only talking 75 F-35A with a separate buy of 25 aircraft, likely to be F-35A to follow. The 25 may be F-35 or UCAV or something new. They may be replacements for the Super Hornets or even a supplement to them if the RAAF is able to swing government thinking that the Growler versions of the SH (plus a number of supporting airframes I suppose) is actually an ISR asset and not a combat asset so falls outside those projects and numbers.
Which ever way there is there is the flexibility to change tack to a new project if the need arises.
Would love it if it were so but reality and all that.....Or... to shoot one to left field, they might be F 35B's
Definitely future fighter, I would personally oppose LRS-B for the UK with the current budget.Assuming we're talking future fighter and not LRSB then I suspect it'd go the same route as F35 - these programs are getting expensive to run on a single nation business, even for the US.
Japan? Who else? Australia effectively is plugged into F35A for the foreseeable future - the UK may be a fit as we'd want a replacement for Tiffy by the mid 2030's. I think we can rule out the Dutch and Canadians. South Korea?
I think with the Canberra undergoing trials that F-35Bs would be a very "smart" acqistion, to go along with theAs.Or... to shoot one to left field, they might be F 35B's
I think a couple of Squadrons of B's would fit in the RAAF very nicely gives the Airforce more options on how and where it deploys. The F35B will have the ability make use its 'forward operating’ abilty into semi prepared areas where the F35A or Super Hornets need a more prepared environment. We don't have to rush into getting the STOVL variant, and I would put a bet on the RAAF getting the aircraft when the times is right.I think with the Canberra undergoing trials that F-35Bs would be a very "smart" acqistion, to go along with theAs.