JSF Update
Flight International:
....The UK is also conducting another analysis of the F-35C carrier variant (CV) for operation from its future aircraft carriers, having previously selected the STOVL variant. New USAF chief of staff Gen Michael Moseley has meanwhile reconfirmed the serviceīs interest in the STOVL JSF as well as the CTOL F-35A.....
For the UK, Lockheed is studying a rolling vertical landing capability that would allow the STOVL aircraft to return with a heavier load. "If we can get 40-50kt lift over the wing, we get more bringback"..... This could also interest the USAF, which, "does not have a vertical landing requirement". The air force also wants to put an internal gun - currently only in the F-35A - back in the F-35B.
The UKīs analysis of the STOVL and CV variants is tied to a decision next year on the size of its future carriers......
Lockheed has just begun laying out the F-35Cīs design and has recently increased wing area by 40 Sq Ft to cut approach speed.
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Implications are that the current bringback, even after the weight reduction program, is marginal. The addition of the gun for the USAF CAS role would add back in all the weight taken out - and they will only build one model of each variant. After the Typhoon gun saga I donīt see any weight saving in trying to remove it from the RN aircraft.
A rolling landing would seem to have implications regards carrier design, the CV version major implications. The growth in wing size also impact stowage space etc.
The article also states that Italy has decided to operate a mixed fleet of F-35As and F-35Cs, buying the As to replace some of their Tornados and increasing their buy from 130 to 200. Thus strengthening their hand in getting a final assembly and checkout line in Italy [as opposed to the UK, the economics not supporting 2 lines]
Further implications. Discuss.