PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - JSF and A400M at risk?
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Old 23rd Jan 2009, 18:05
  #287 (permalink)  
LowObservable
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Far West Wessex
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Correct: as discussed several times here, the UK took the decision some years ago to extend the life of the Harrier, buy JSF later and operate the first CVF at least with Harriers until the JSF arrived.

I can think of a few logical reasons to do this. Operating a brand-new aircraft off a brand-new ship is asking for trouble. Moving JSF purchases to the right reduces the overlap with T3 Typhoon. Also, later JSFs could be ordered with the F136 engine (if it doesn't get cancelled) which takes advantage of the 2004-05 configuration change that provides a bit more airflow - the F136 can produce a bit more thrust than the F135, making a difference on vertical landing.

So Hutton's statement that "the later delivery is in line with..." is accurate. Getting in touch with my inner grammar Nazi: to infer that the carrier delay is the result of JSF delays is not accurate, but did Hutton imply it?
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