AviationBanter - View Single Post - UK Ready To Ditch STOVL F-35?

**William Black[_1_]**

wrote:
On Aug 7, 2:01 am, wrote:
"London's Daily Telegraph reports this morning
that the UK is preparing to switch from the short
take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) version of the
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to the F-35C carrier (CV)
model, because it costs less and has a greater
weapon load and range."

In my view the STOVL F-35 version is in most situations the best air
superiority and air defense weapon in the world.
This is because the most vulnerable part of a fighters is its landing
and takeoff field. Apart from 'death star' super powers such as the
USA with a big reserve of aircraft safe in the continental USA many
airforces were defeated on the ground. Consider the problem of
defending nations bordering the ex USSR (eg Sweden, Norway, Finland,
Germany). The STOVL version could potentially be dispersed in
forrests, sand embankments such that the STOVL fighters can quickly
climb up and ambush the enemy using advanced Meteor or AMRAAM style
missiles.

This apect of its capabilities seems to be neglected despite this
being a dream of the Luftwaffe in the 1950s and 60s. (who had an
extensive and interesting STOVL program).

That's because there's no credible threat in the medium term.

--
William Black

The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.
If you can fake that, you've got it made.