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Joint Combat Aircraft

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The F-35B became the UK’s STOVL multirole aircraft replacement

The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) is the official designation of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence used for the F-35 Lightning II. The F-35, formerly the Joint Strike Fighter, is the result of the Joint Strike Fighter programme.

JCA has been closely aligned with the "Future Carrier" (CVF) programme due to the interdependencies between the two; the latter developed into the Template:Sclass-. Both the F-35s and the carriers are the main elements of "Carrier Strike", the term for an initial capability for both elements along with the Merlin Crowsnest airborne radar system.[1] The next steps is the introduction of the second carrier and a second squadron of F-35Bs to allow the carriers to operate the full range of intended roles; this capability, "Carrier Enabled Power Projection" is expected in 2026.[1]

Programme history

The Sea Harrier was retired in 2006

.

The JCA programme began as a result of the approval of a "Staff Target" in 1996 for a Future Carrier Borne Aircraft (FCBA), a multirole fighter/attack aircraft to replace the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier FA2.[2]

In 1998 the British Government published its Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which confirmed the strategy for future British carrier aircraft:[3]

  • The creation of "Joint Force 2000" combining the Royal Navy's Harrier FA2s and RAF Harrier GR7s into a joint force capable of operating from land bases or aircraft carriers.
  • The procurement of a future carrier borne aircraft was confirmed, replacing both the Royal Navy and RAF types.
  • The replacement of the three Invincible-class aircraft carriers with "two larger, more versatile, carriers capable of carrying a more powerful force".

Various carrier aircraft types and carrier configurations were studied. The SDR singled out the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as "a strong contender"; the UK had signed a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 1995 making it a partner in the JSF Concept Demonstration phase.[3][2] Other aircraft considered were the F/A-18E, Dassault Rafale-M, a 'navalised' Eurofighter Typhoon, and an "advanced Harrier".[4]

The requirement to replace both Royal Navy and RAF Harriers led to the renaming of the programme as Future Joint Combat Aircraft (FJCA) in 2001.[citation needed] Later, in the third and final name change of the project, the word "future" was removed.[citation needed]

Aircraft selection

Following the Sea Harrier's retirement, the Harrier II was removed from service in 2011.

In January 2001, the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US Department of Defense for full participation in the Joint Strike Fighter project, confirming the JSF as the JCA. This gave the UK significant input into aircraft design and the choice between the Lockheed Martin X-35 and Boeing X-32.[4] On 26 October 2001, the DoD announced that Lockheed Martin had won the JSF contract.[citation needed]

On 30 September 2002, the MoD announced that the Royal Navy and RAF will operate the STOVL F-35B variant. At the same time it was announced that the carriers would take the form of large, conventional carriers, which will be adapted for STOVL operations. The carriers, expected to remain in service for 50 years, will be convertible to CATOBAR operations for the generation of aircraft after the F-35.

In 2007, the Ministry of Defence confirmed its order for two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

Technology transfer

The UK has invested GBP £1.08 billion in development funding for the JSF. Britain has also worked for five years for an ITAR waiver to allow greater technology transfer associated with the project. The effort, backed by the Bush administration, has been repeatedly blocked by US Congressman Henry Hyde because of his concern about potential technology transfer to third countries.[5] On Friday 27 May 2006 President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a joint statement which announced "both governments agree that the UK will have the ability to successfully operate, upgrade, employ, and maintain the Joint Strike Fighter such that the UK retains operational sovereignty over the aircraft."[6]

In February 2006 the chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee stated that unless the UK got "all the information and technology it requires to maintain and upgrade the aircraft independently.... [it] might have to consider whether to continue in the programme.[7] Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, while on a government visit to Washington to speak to members of Congress stated "We do expect [the software] technology transfer to take place. But if it does not take place we will not be able to purchase these aircraft", and has mentioned that there is a 'plan B' if the deal falls through.[8] A suggested likely option was the development of a navalised Typhoon. Mike Turner has said it was not what he recommend, but "as Lord Drayson has made clear, there needs to be a fall-back in case something goes wrong."[9]

2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review

British F-35 aircraft operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth with F-35B's on deck

As part of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, it was announced that the previous intention to order 138 STOVL F-35Bs had been changed to a smaller number of CATOBAR F-35Cs, with the anticipated entry to service delayed until around 2020. Only one Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier would be equipped with a catapult, and was expected to normally include twelve F-35Cs in its air wing.[10] In early 2012 the UK joint chiefs of staff publicly petitioned the Prime Minister to change the order back to the F-35B, on the grounds of lower cost, quicker implementation of fixed-wing carrier capability and the ability to operate both carriers with fixed-wing aircraft.[citation needed] On 10 May 2012, Philip Hammond announced that the coalition government had reverted to the Labour government plan to operate the F-35B STOVL variant.[11]

In 2013 the Defence Select Committee said "We urge the MoD to learn the lessons of this closed, rushed and flawed decision of 2010."[12]

Initial capability

Both the F-35s and the carriers are the main elements of "Carrier Strike", the term for an initial capability for both elements along with the Merlin Crowsnest airborne radar system.[1] This was declared in January 2021:

all elements of the group from fighter jets to radar systems to anti-ship weapons have been successfully brought together and operated. Both the air and naval elements of the Carrier Strike Group have now met this milestone, which includes qualified pilots and ground crews being held at short notice for carrier-based operations and trained to handle weapons and maintain the equipment. Another marker of success at this stage includes the ability to deploy Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities such as frigates and destroyers, as well as both fixed and rotary wing aircraft including Merlin helicopters to operate alongside the carrier.[13]

Full Operational Capability is expected in 2023.[13] The next step is the introduction of the second carrier and a second squadron of F-35Bs to allow the carriers to operate the full range of intended roles; this capability, "Carrier Enabled Power Projection", is expected in 2026.[1]

Basing

In March 2013 it was announced that the F-35 main base would be RAF Marham, in Norfolk.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Delivering Carrier Strike" (PDF). National Audit Office. 16 March 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Select Committee on Defence Written Evidence: Future Carrier Borne Aircraft—FCBA". publications.parliament.uk. 3 November 1999. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Strategic Defence Review" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Ministry of Defence. July 1998. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b Future Carrier and Joint Combat Aircraft Programmes
  5. ^ Spiegel, Peter, "UK denied waiver on US arms technology", Financial Times (reprint), MSNBC, retrieved 8 February 2006[dead link].
  6. ^ "Bush gives way over stealth fighter", Financial Times, retrieved 27 May 2006.
  7. ^ MoD 'slippage' set to leave forces with reduced capability, says committee (statement), UK: Parliament Defense Committee, archived from the original on 21 March 2006, retrieved 8 February 2006.
  8. ^ Chapman, Matt, Britain warns US over jet software codes, VU net, archived from the original on 20 April 2006, retrieved 16 March 2006.
  9. ^ Turner, Michael ‘Mike’ (2006), Evidence, UK: Parliament Defence Select Committee, retrieved 1 April 2006.
  10. ^ Sweetman, William ‘Bill’ (19 October 2010). "SDSR and The JSF". Aviation Week. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  11. ^ "UK Makes F-35 U-Turn to Cut Costs, Narrow Carrier-Defense Gap." Bloomberg News, 10 May 2012.
  12. ^ "MoD Criticised By MPs Over Royal Navy Carrier F35 Joint Strike Fighter Decision", The Huffington Post, UK, 4 February 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Carrier Strike Group hits important milestone". www.gov.uk. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  14. ^ "UK stealth fighters base announced". www.gov.uk. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
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