PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - UK F35 Pilots to train in the US
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Old 22nd Sep 2013, 10:13
  #39 (permalink)  
Evalu8ter
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Zummerset
Posts: 1,042
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Orca,
Good point, well made. If an F35 variant is part of the Tornado replacement programme then we could see an eventual force size nudge past 100 airframes (probably a blend of F35A and B though the extra gas in the C would help...) including attrition buys. At that stage perhaps something akin to TTTE/TWCU model might be in order? Convex in the US to leverage cost savings then a 'short' UK TTPs/Wpns/QEC course back in the UK.

It makes complete sense to be fully integrated at the start - perhaps not so in 10-15 years time.

JTIDS - I don't think learning to fly a modern 4-engine widebody with a few 'tactical' modes is really comparable to an all weather FJ.

Who knows, perhaps the F35 will trailblaze for the convex of UK Triton/P8A crews? Oh...I'll get my coat......
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