In terms of who pays for it, it depends on the required "ramp-up" and payment schedule for F35. As I don't believe we've committed to a purchase schedule yet (?), no expenditure on actual F35 squadron a/c will be due until the mid-to-late teens and will be predicated on IOC of the first squadron of JFDave (any takers?).
One might argue that a UK buy or lease of SuperBug in say 2018, would allow a squadron to get IOC broadly when whichever of QEC/PoW commissions and is ready for sea trials (although you could do it with an IFTU, rather than a full squadron for that date.
That would provide CS until the late 20s, at which point funding for F35C (which is off the current spending horizon) could be programmed in.
As for the Boeing's revenge option, while it may look palatable to some (and it'll take a lot more than 12 frames!), for the USN aviation community it probably spells institutional death. After the A12 debacle and an F35C cancellation they will not get another shot at a manned aircraft, ever. SuperBug will not do everything in the requirement and UCAVs are further away (in a non-permissive environment) than you might think.
BTW if the UK does go the Joint Force Dave route, I'd just like to suggest that all assigned aircrew are renamed Dave (even the ladies) and callsigns assigned on a Dave-One, Dave-two, Dave-leader basis. Might even buy some political clout in number 10 atm........
Last edited by Not_a_boffin; 17th Jan 2012 at 18:00.
Reason: compliance with Equal Opps policies