F35 or Rafale? The UK and France talk.

[Archimedes]

Booker appears to have read the Daily/Sunday Mail piece as being that the UK will definitely ditch the JSF for Rafale, and that this taking place is merely a matter of time. His observation that the only reason for the UK buying CV(F) is to send it on EU Reaction Force tasks is laughable.

Written with all the usual accuracy of that column on defence issues...

[Tim McLelland]

Tombstone, I had to marvel at the way in which you spectacularly managed to avoid answering my earlier question, however, just for your information, my "some people" aren't "spotters", but then you haven't even got a clue who I am, never mind anyone who I might care to discuss such matters with, so (here's an idea) unless you have something useful to say...

[maccer82]

So, if we have the technology/capability to operate CTOL aircraft off of carriers, why dont we? From what i have read, the F-35C has a better range and payload than the B model, and most important of all is cheaper, and seems less complex (hopefully break less!). This solution also solves the problems of AWACS to support the aircraft on operations. Problem solved. The only advantage of the B model that i can think of is that the RAF can operate off of the carriers as well, is there any reason why a VSTOL aircraft cannot operate off of a CTOL carrier? Has anyone any idea with the amount of money that will be saved if the RN get C models, will that cover the extra expence of the catapult?

[Tombstone]

Originally Posted by RileyDove

Tombstone - The RAF has kept the Harrier because it has nothing to replace it and there isn't anything readily available . The Jaguar hasn't ever offered the load carrying capability of the Harrier in 'hot and high' environments.

It's also worth pointing out that the Jaguar is a late 1960's design which reached the end of it's development potential. The Harrier II is at least a late 1970's design and has had more scope for upgrades. As for the validity of the

I accept the point about the Jags payload however, The Jag's design potential was still being exploited up until last year, ASRAAM,ETAPs and EFRCs as examples.

Tim,

I did indeed answer you question. The Harrier utilises STOVL not VTOL and was always designed with STOVL in mind. These are two very different concepts when you take payload into account & it is therefore rather unfair to label the GR7 as a obsolete VTOL a/c when infact it is not in service as a VTOL a/c.

I remember you being just as passionate/argumentative on the Warplane forum when chatting to fellow spotters!! It always did make me giggle whilst browsing the threads looking for some photos which, I should add, were bloody impressive.