Hi Transall,

I didn't realise there was a second batch of F-16's to replace the Mirages.
The F-16 was a great buy for Europe I thought - for the first time in the cold war the smaller countries were operating something head and shoulders better than the soviets had. Especially as the UK and Germany didn't get an F-16 or F-18 class aircraft.

I remember a package of over 30 Belgian F-16s hitting Spadeadam in the mid 90s on I think it was 'Brilliant Foil' exercise - one of the Elder Forrest UK air defence exercise replacements. Bet you would struggle to do that now!

You might buy more F-35s but I doubt it! You might get less!

Yes I totally agree about the demise of the RAF - it is just a little easier to see on a single type force though.

Just how could the RAF (not that they spend the money) actually have achieved better VFM at the time?
As there was a cash shortage it HAD to be on HP. There was not the amount of cash available for an up front purchase of 14 Airbus A330 aircraft, their conversion into tanker/transport configuration, simulators, new hangars, ground support equipment, training, maintenance and support. Now with 75% aircrew and over 50% groundcrew and contractor back up providing the rest, the RAF has a real meaningful capability.
What would you have cut at the time if you wanted to buy all that lot up front?

Big difference being that the F16 didn't (initially at least) have a BVRAAM capability (That said, neither did the F-4F in that period!)

Fair call Dave but...

Central Europe in the time period - how useful would BVR be after the first morning?

For the Norwegians over the arctic - definitely a lack of capacity! - they probably bought the wrong aeroplane really- but the Belgians and Cloggies on the central front?

Difficult to man a Kill Box without one.....

https://raf-beta-public.org/news/uk-...or-first-time/

Interesting they only use the pilots' first names.

Why the Pentagon Isn’t Happy With the F-35
 

Looks like things are (still not) coming along nicely then... :hmm:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...er-s-criticism

-RP

On the bright side, if you're a loggie or a wrench-turner you can look forward to a lifetime of employment.

More on the bright side, it takes off, flies and lands resulting from 16 years of development, what more can one expect?

"In the testing office’s annual report to Congress on major weapons systems, director Robert Behler said the availability of the F-35 for missions when needed -- a key metric -- remains “around 50 percent, a condition that has existed with no significant improvement since October 2014, despite the increasing number of aircraft.”"

The DOT&E's 2017 report in full...

Request Rejected

-RP

*Ignore the 'Request Rejected' title, it opens fine!

F-35 Problems: Late IOTE, F-35A Gun Inaccurate, F-35B Tires, Threat Data, Cyber…
 

Something of a summary of the reports linked above...

F-35 Problems: Late IOTE, F-35A Gun Inaccurate, F-35B Tires, Threat Data, Cyber…

Thanks, LL.

The comments are illuminating. The pitch, volume and spittle content of the straight-out-of-the-gate vituperation from the fans and trollbots tells you there's some major concern about the issues in the report.

LockMart wasn't too happy with Dr Roper's confirmation testimony the other day either, one understands.

Nuclear Sub Fleet
 

It will be the cost of replacing the 4 Nuc subs (£30 Billion but probably twice that by 2040) that will screw the defence budget. I dare say we will get the Lightning II, but not many and I also dare say the two new aircraft carriers will be late, so the aircraft will not be able to do their proper tasks.


What we surely need are simpler aircraft and lots of 'em!:confused:

Old Ned,

You do know that both carriers are finished, one delivered and the other about to be?

FINISHED.Depends on what you mean by finished. The real issue is when it/they will be declared operational and that will not happen for a few years...

Like any other new class of warship entering service. First F-35's to embark next year.

Much too easy to burst your bubble on that one....

Er, How exactly?

Has anyone improved their opinion of the F-35 since this thread began, I sense a slight change in the wind, just slight mind you.