RAF/Navy: Typhoon & JSF

[jollygreen]

Can anyone clarify what roles the above aircraft are going to take in the UK armed forces?

Am I right in thinking that the RAF are NOT buying any of the F35 JSF aircraft in any form? Or are they going to take some of the STOL models?

I'm confused - wasn't the idea that the JSF in its various forms meet all reuiqrements for Air Force and Navy?

[jollygreen]

OK, a friend ahs told me that the Typhonn is replacuing the RAF Tornado F3's and Jaguar's and that the JSF will replace both the RAF and Navy fleet of Harriers (in all their guises). Is this right?

ta

[kempie]

The idea was that the F-35 JSF meet the requirements of the US military (Air Force [CTOL], Navy [CV], Marine Corps [STOVL]).

In 1995 the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Advanced Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (ASTOVL) program (which already included the Royal Navy) was merged with the JSF Program.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/jsf.htm

The RAF was never part of the mix.

[kempie]

...other than "the mix" that is Joint Force Harrier, whereby the STOVL forces of both the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm were rationalised under a single command structure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Force_Harri er

[jollygreen]

Thanks for the replies mate. But, the RAF and RN ARE buying F35's, aren't they?

[kempie]

Only the RN squadrons of Joint Force Harrier will receive F-35s.

UK MoD was in partnership with US DoD from 1983 to develop replacement for Sea Harrier (as used by RN and USMC) under ASTOVL program.

ASTOVL becomes part of JSF in 1995. JSF (STOVL) now to replace Sea Harrier.

In 2000, the 2 squadrons of RN Sea Harriers become part of No. 3 Group of RAF Strike Command under JFH

To further confuse the issue, by 2006 all Sea Harriers had been decommissioned, replaced by GR7s.

[jollygreen]

Thanks mate but see this page:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/f35jointstrike fighter.cfm

The reason for my post was it struck me that it might end up with the RAF operating F35's in the ground attack role and Typhoon's in the air interdiction role but with the possibility that the F35 might be a "better" air combat aircarft.

I guess the Typhonn could fill a gap but would you envisage the typhoon being replaced by the F35 at some point which would give the forces all the synergy benefits?

[kempie]

As my posts have indicated, the MoD has constantly moved the goalposts in regard of the JSF. No doubt they shall move again before the first are delivered.

Before 2001 only Sea Harriers (RN) were to be replaced.

After 2001 Sea Harriers come under command of RAF. Decision taken to include RAF Harriers in JSF replacement.

Late 2006 sees RAF express interest in JSF to form the manned element of a successor to replace the RAF's Tornado GR.4 deep strike capability.

http://navy-matters.beedall.com/jca1-1.htm

[jollygreen]

Thanks Kempie, that's a helpful site. You know a lot about it, are you involved??