MoD urged to buy cheaper Navy jets (UK)

Portsmouth.co.uk ^ | 2 August 2011 | Michael Powell

[RexBeach]

The Brits are building two new aircraft carriers?

[Little Ray]

Hmmm. Who else makes naval aircraft, I wonder?

Maybe they’d like to go for the F/A-18? Or a navalized MiG-29s or SU-27?

[mgstarr]

The new Queen Elizabeth class carrier.

[RitchieAprile]

‘The argument is like saying: “I haven’t got enough money to buy a Porsche 911 right now so I’ll buy an Audi TT instead,’” said a source

Well, an Audi would probably lose a race to a Porsche.
Not a serious outcome for cars, but losing an aerial battle would be a serious one for a combat flyer.

Second best will still go down in flames,
pilot skill being equal.

[org.whodat]

Current estimated cost of these POS is 235 million each and 65,000 an hour to fly. As a tax payer, the answer for buying this crap is not no, but hell no.

[RichInOC]

Lads, always remember that all your equipment was built by the lowest bidder.

[MasterGunner01]

If the Brits are looking for cheap carrier capable aircraft, order the MiG-29K (Fulcrum D) and Su-33 (Flanker D). The MiG-29K is in production for the Indian Navy as well as Russian Naval Aviation. It is smaller than the Su-33.

Now, if the Brits really want a cheap version of the Su-33, then they should buy the Shenyang J-15, a Chinese knockoff of the Su-33 for their “new” carrier SHI LANG (Russian ex-VARYAG). While the Brits are at it, they can get some deals on very capable Kamov Helix helicopters to replace the expensive Euro designs.

[mbynack]

Actually the cost for the carrier variant (F-35C) is 135 Million. It's still a lot of money, but nowhere near 235 million. In addition, this argument is presented every time there is a new aircraft. "It's too Expensive". "It's unreliable". All new aircraft are going to have reliability issues initially. All new airframes that push the envelope for performance, stealth, and avionics are going to be expensive.

Although the F-18s are good aircraft, they were developed back in the early 80s and are thirty year old technology. There's only so much you can do to improve them. The competition is getting much better and the F-18 is no longer a dominant air to air fighter. The lack of stealth makes it vulnerable to surface to air missiles.

At best the F-18s are an expensive short term fix that would only delay the purchase of the more capable aircraft somewhere down the road.

[org.whodat]

Call ding bat Juan McCain and tell him the money already pissed away is not part of the cost. LOL, They are not worth the money at 10 million a copy. The last I read the air force wants no new manned jets, unless they are cargo

[STD]

Bring back the Fairly Swordfishes. I'll wager they already have a squadron 'hanging' around various museums in the UK and elsewhere. Yup, the old Stringbags' could bring us through.

After all, the only possible opponents we would face would be muslims, who can't fly worth a sh*t. Just ask the undefeated Israeli Air Force! HaHaHaHa! Fully half of muslim 'COMBAT' air force fatalities were caused by pilot error. Read that sentence carefully again before commenting!

[Yo-Yo]

The F-35C is a cheaper option than paying for the development of the Eurofighter Naval Variant.

Chances are that the F-35C will also be close to, if not cheaper than, off the shelf Rafale Naval Variants.

However, Britain is close to striking a joint operations deal with France, whereby both navies will fly off of each other's ships.

If they really do this, then Rafale is the most logical choice for the RN.

[sukhoi-30mki]

The naval Typhoon is likely to remain a powerpoint presentation unless the Brits decide that they do not want catapults.

[the scotsman]

Yes we are.

Has been public for some time. Finished around 2018 supposedly.

[RexBeach]

Great!

Nice to see they’re not going to be jump=jet birdfarms.

Good looking ships.

Cheers, mate!

[TheOldLady]

Boop His Tiny Tail!

Can you believe those itty bitty claws
will soon be six inches long?

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Donate, monthly if possible

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[mbynack]

If the Brits are looking for cheap carrier capable aircraft, order the MiG-29K (Fulcrum D) and Su-33 (Flanker D). The MiG-29K is in production for the Indian Navy as well as Russian Naval Aviation. It is smaller than the Su-33.

That leaves them depending on the Russians for spares and helping the Russian economy instead of our.

[mbynack]

If the Brits are looking for cheap carrier capable aircraft, order the MiG-29K (Fulcrum D) and Su-33 (Flanker D). The MiG-29K is in production for the Indian Navy as well as Russian Naval Aviation. It is smaller than the Su-33.

That leaves them depending on the Russians for spares and helping the Russian economy instead of ours.

[Vroomfondel]

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[magslinger]

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