With JSF replacing Harrier and Tornado GR4 and the RAF committed to a 2 aircraft type fast jet fleet (Typhoon and F-35 by the 2020s) what do you replace Typhoon with in about 10 - 15 yrs time? Whilst UCAVs look great for deep strike missions they really aren't a good shape for Air - Air combat. I don't see anyone friendly developing a new, manned fighter and 10 yrs from concept to IOC seems impossible these days.
The Navy Kicks off the Search for Its Next Fighter
.......As a top level summary of some of the required system capabilities, the air vehicle should be capable of addressing the following needs:
1.Capable of operating from CVN 68 and CVN 78 class aircraft carriers, as part of the Carrier AirWing (CVW), with minimal impact on the ship configuration and the operations of the rest of theCVW.
2.This aircraft will be a complementary CVW asset to the F-35C and an unmanned persistentintelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) vehicle with precision strike capability.
3. The ability to conduct persistent, penetrating operations in an A2AD operational environment.
4. The ability for an IOC in the 2030 timeframe. If a spiral approach to incorporation of systemsand/or technology to achieve full operational capability is employed, provide the timeline toachieve full capability..........