Joint Strike Fighter Plan B

[Troll]

The UK should not agree to a US deal to buy the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter unless the US releases details allowing independent operation, MPs have warned.
The defence committee said an assurance was needed from the US "by the end of the year" that all the technical information would be given to the UK.

Earlier this year, the government expressed concerns about the deal.

'Plan B'

The US will account for the lion's share of the Lockheed Martin-designed plane, with 2,400 in service by 2027, while the UK is expected to take delivery of 138 fighters.

Britain's BAE Systems is one of the key players in the aircraft's development, and has pumped $2bn into the project.

It still remains unclear whether the US will agree to transfer the technology required to give the UK operational sovereignty of the aircraft.

The committee said if there is no deal by the end of the year, the government should focus on developing a "plan B" to acquire alternative aircraft.

Any ideas what a Plan B could be?
Dassault?
Viggen?
MIG?

Don't think we have the engineering skills or the funds to go it alone anymore

[Churchill]

Any ideas what a Plan B could be?
Dassault?
Viggen?
MIG?

Don't think we have the engineering skills or the funds to go it alone anymore

TSR2

[sasguru]

Any ideas what a Plan B could be?
Dassault?
Viggen?
MIG?

Don't think we have the engineering skills or the funds to go it alone anymore

Outsource to the Indian Air Force? You know it makes sense

[Cliphead]

TSR2

I have some bits in my loft.

[Gibbon]

We have the skills, it's just the huge cost of developing a jet from scratch.

[expat]

Any ideas what a Plan B could be?
Dassault?
Viggen?
MIG?

Don't think we have the engineering skills or the funds to go it alone anymore

Just buy Mirages, everybody else does.

[sasguru]

We have the skills, .

Really? Where? We may be able to do jet engines, but where are all aerodynamics/aircraft design/avionics experts? Given that the last indigenous jets were built in the 60s, where would a budding aircraft engineer since then have got the experience?

[Churchill]

OK, task here for Threaded.

Design a Joint Services aircraft capable of VSTOL.

BTW, I wouldn't want to hover a JSF, they use the 8051 in their sensors...

[sasguru]

Just buy Mirages, everybody else does.

Shouldn't that read:

Just buy mirages, everybody else does

[Troll]

We have the skills, it's just the huge cost of developing a jet from scratch.

There was an article recently that said BAE was now the biggest engineering employer in the UK... how times change