Still unbuilt, Tempest is losing ground to the F-35
LONDON, (BM) – Britain faces a challenge after it became clear that the still unbuilt British Air Force fighter Tempest will not have a naval version. It has recently become clear that the Ministry of Defense does not envisage Tempest serving Her Majesty’s aircraft carriers. Moreover, this will most likely make the American stealth fighter of the fifth generation F-35B.
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Such an announcement is alarming against the background of a request very soon from the British Ministry of Defense to start a procedure for developing the so-called catapult system or “launch and landing system.”
The two British aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, have a similar system, and experts claim that the request from the Ministry of Defense is related to the analysis and evaluation of the available catapult systems. We remind you that the catapult systems of both aircraft carriers are designed to work with F-35B fighters.
British Secretary of Defense Jeremy Quin confirmed this information by answering a question asked. “Naval combat aircraft will be based on the F-35B Lightning for the foreseeable future, while Tempest will replace the Eurofighter Typhoon once it decommissioned,” Quin said.
The British F-35B will fly along with the drones
Military analysts say the reason the Department of Defense wants to inspect the electromagnetic catapults is the possibility of British F-35B fighters flying with drones.
It is said that these drones will be Vixen. This information means that the “mobile wing” of the British naval fighters will carry out reconnaissance missions, surveillance, airstrikes. Some experts say the drone will also carry out air-to-air missile loading missions.
Tempest follows the plan
Jeremy Quin says the Tempest program is going according to plan. According to him, the design and evaluation of the program, as part of Tempest’s development plan, will begin later this year. It is also clear from his statements that Italy and Switzerland are interested in the Tempest program.
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The good news follows one after another, according to audit firm PwC. According to an analysis of auditors, the UK economy will rise as well as productivity. PwC estimates that at least £ 26 billion will be Tempest’s contribution to British industry and the economy, with the project alone creating at least 21,000 new jobs. PwC clarifies that this data covers the period 2020-2050.
According to PwC, the Tempest program will also support research in the country, as this project needs the introduction of new technologies, which will increase competitiveness among British technology companies. According to PwC, hundreds of British civil society companies expect to be subcontracted to the project.
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