"Britain Buys Lockheed F-35 Jets"

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.

Mike wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said.

Uh ?

BAE Systems is already a major contractor on the program.

Graham

On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:37:42 -0700 (PDT), Mike
wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.


Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

TL

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:37:42 -0700 (PDT), Mike
wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.


Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

What Harriers?

They've sold all the Sea Harriers...

--
William Black

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.

"William Black" wrote in message
...

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:37:42 -0700 (PDT), Mike
wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.


Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

What Harriers?

They've sold all the Sea Harriers...

--
William Black

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.


Yes the Sea Harriers are gone but Joint Force Harriers (formerly exclusively
land based models operated by the RAF) are flown by both RN and RAF pilots.
The RAF never had any Sea Harriers anyway.

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:37:42 -0700 (PDT), Mike
wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.


Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

TL

Why?
--
Curt
KVPS

Curt wrote:

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
Mike wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.

Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

Why?

They LIKE them ( as to prefer )

There are no more Harriers being built ( as to forced to ).

Graham

On Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:56:36 +0000, Eeyore
wrote:



Curt wrote:

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
Mike wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.

Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

Why?

They LIKE them ( as to prefer )

There are no more Harriers being built ( as to forced to ).

Graham


Thanks, that's exactly what I meant. More tech means less human
control "feel" and possible mental task overload for pilots. May also
be a LOT less robust and more finicky. Just taking bets...

TL

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:56:36 +0000, Eeyore
wrote:



Curt wrote:

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
Mike wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.

Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

Why?

They LIKE them ( as to prefer )

There are no more Harriers being built ( as to forced to ).

Graham


Thanks, that's exactly what I meant. More tech means less human
control "feel" and possible mental task overload for pilots. May also
be a LOT less robust and more finicky. Just taking bets...

TL

I was just curious why you made the statement; is this based on personal or
documented experience?
Doesn't the second generation Harrier have more automation? Stability
systems, autopilot, etc.? Makes the task easier, not harder. Today, when
most pilots move the controls, they are signaling a computer to move the
controls. The F-16 pilots I work with seem to like it just fine.

Granted, there will probably be some sentimental feelings on seeing the
Harriers go. I remember all the old crusty F-4 drivers predicting doom for
the F-16. Seems to have done okay though.
--
Curt
KVPS

"T.L. Davis" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:37:42 -0700 (PDT), Mike
wrote:

Britain Buys Lockheed Jets
Britain bought three Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft as it
considers purchasing the F-35 planes from Lockheed Martin to replace
Harrier jets. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will
secure access to the development of the program," British Defense
Secretary John Hutton said. Britain may agree to buy F-35s for two
Royal Navy aircraft carriers scheduled to enter service in 2014 and
2016.


Taking bets that the RAF pilots will still prefer the Harrier, though
the F-35 be forced on them regardless.

TL


pilots preferred open cockpit biplanes until enclosed cockpit monoplanes
were forced on them.