The Telegraph claims the UK MoD is about to go for conventional aircraft technolog for its next-gen aircraft carrier.
In a significant about-turn, the MoD has indicated that it will drop the jump-jet version of the Joint Strike Fighter, or “B” version, which uses the Rolls-Royce engine, in favour of a conventional model, or “CV” variant, to use on its two new aircraft carriers.
Senior MoD sources believe that choosing the “CV” variant over the “B” will give the Navy considerable advantages, as the conventional fighter can fly further and carry a bigger bomb payload. The “B” version comes with a projected price tag of £105 million for each aircraft. The CV version is expected to cost an estimated £90 million, leading to an overall saving of £2.2 billion.
There have also been strong hints that considerably fewer than the 150 proposed JSF will now be ordered, with MoD sources suggesting that “greater capability will mean fewer aircraft”.
The part about job losses at Rolls-Royce (the headline!) appears to be rubbish, but it is interesting if the UK drops its preference for Harrier-like V/STOL aircraft in favour of conventional carrier-capable aircraft. There is also the issue of other fixed wing aircraft a fleet may want (like AWACS), which would also have to be V/STOL to be used in carriers without catapults and arresting wires. A conventional carrier approach would certainly be more flexible.
Well, if the Brits change the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier late in production, we can be happy we still haven't made the model for our game.