I wonder if it's worth staying in this partnership with the yanks?
1/ Were not getting the full spec A/C, If that is the case then shouldn't the MoD be negotiating a comesurate unit price for them?
2/ Do we really need stealth? Last time I looked, some canadian Scientist had managed to trump it? Why not build F18 under licence?
3/ If the UK are getting into bed with the frogs WRT CVF then not do a deal with them to supply Aircraft? Design spec's for hardware say?
4/ the UK builds some of the best avionic systems in the world (Captor & Blue Vixen springs to mind) Why not buy F35 Airframe only and design in home made systems.
or....
5/ Dust off the Buccaneer design drawings, Reproduce the Jigs, Design in new avionics and engines,and were technically feasible use Carbon fibre. Once in service launch it from one of the new carriers and fly it at low level over the White House, whilst dropping stink bombs.
(well I can dream can't I?)
Yours Jingoistically
Al