Due to the rising price of the F-35, MOD have been studying an alternative aircraft that's substantially more affordable & easily guarantees that a full compliment of aircraft can be carried aboard it's QE class carriers at all times. "Surge" capacity of the aircraft is expected to be around 678 airframes (captain has to stay onboard..) which is considerably better than the F-35's apparent 70. Other benefits over the F-35 are considerably better range, improved engine redundancy, lower surface / paint maintenance costs (plane & deck!), cheaper helmet, zero IP costs or consideration, ability to launch / recover directly from both hangar & head & even an integrated flag post!
It's rumoured that the alternative aircraft is being looked at favourably as it uses a similar adjustable four nozzle propulsion system to RN's proven but now retired SHAR aircraft.
Insiders have suggested that plans are already underway to replace 10 F-35's per carrier with the alternative aircraft & utilise the small change to procure an additional two Daring Class destroyers for additional carrier group protection.
The video is pretty good but I can't get it working..., so;
