UK unveils new next generation fighter jet, the 'Tempest'
Very definitely not a plea for a repeat of F111 and F35. But then again they were very different things. A low-level strike bomber asked to be a long-range carrier based interceptor and a strikefighter asked to do several things, including be cheap(!), be STOVL, be an F16-alike, be an A6(ish) alike, all in one airframe. A big ask.
All I'm suggesting here is that the early stages of what appears to be an air-dominance type aircraft design and requirements exercise does not dismiss immediately the need to fly off a ship - preferably using catapults and arrester gear. If it becomes a serious cost/performance limiter, then fair enough, drop it, but we should try to avoid repeating a situation where the question is never even asked, because either "SHAR flies off ships" or "CVS is too small".
You never know - there might actually be an export market for it.........as well as potential closer to home.
All I'm suggesting here is that the early stages of what appears to be an air-dominance type aircraft design and requirements exercise does not dismiss immediately the need to fly off a ship - preferably using catapults and arrester gear. If it becomes a serious cost/performance limiter, then fair enough, drop it, but we should try to avoid repeating a situation where the question is never even asked, because either "SHAR flies off ships" or "CVS is too small".
You never know - there might actually be an export market for it.........as well as potential closer to home.
Jeez Guys, it's a wood and filler mock-up of...nothing. Anyone able to explain the costings that equate to the quoted " £2B" UK Gov support? Hot air! So this is what, 6th Gen? UK cannot afford to do this on its own. I suggest this is just political fudge to keep BAe in the game for a while, a £200M per year life-support R&D drip feed, not a real design or reflection of what might be needed in 20 years time. 
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we could call it the "Aspiration" I guess.............
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-RP
Tempest
Manned and unmanned sounds a good mix - manned aircraft for Air Defence and ground support (The old mk 1 eyeball) and autonomous/RPV for interdiction and long range attack options.
And at least they have avoided Dave mk 2 ((Clive?) by naming it first
And at least they have avoided Dave mk 2 ((Clive?) by naming it first
If the government is REALLY prepared to 'go it alone' and provide all the necessary resources to deliver such a programme then I applaud such an initiative.
The reality is likely to be quite different primary due to the massive costs.
It is vital that the UK aerospace industry is positioned to acquire the required technologies in order to take advantage or collaborate with whoever is both ambitious and capable of producing a new fighter in the required timescale.
The reality is likely to be quite different primary due to the massive costs.
It is vital that the UK aerospace industry is positioned to acquire the required technologies in order to take advantage or collaborate with whoever is both ambitious and capable of producing a new fighter in the required timescale.
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I assume you're referring to the drivel that was in the media about the QE class carriers running XP just because a screen aboard the ship was seen with the XP screensaver on it? Nothing could be further from the truth, but then, facts should never get in the way of an ill informed comment should they...
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I’m on the “Good News” side of the fence.
Pleas knock on my coffin and let me know how it goes in Service.
Pleas knock on my coffin and let me know how it goes in Service.