How would adopting a BAE supersonic STOVL fighter in the 1980s change the Royal Navy, the F-35B, and Tempest?
Short answerA larger design could support a new post-Falklands carrier program and influence later escorts and the F-35, while Tempest would probably retain its Tornado and Typhoon lineage.
NotesSome supersonic STOVL proposals aimed to fit the Sea Harrier's role, while the larger concepts would require more carrier capacity. The larger-aircraft scenario points toward a new post-Falklands carrier program and different choices for later escorts. Late-1980s carrier studies are recalled at around 40,000-55,000 tons, with roughly 60 aircraft, including 36 fighters and 24 helicopters. An aircraft already in service would also set a performance benchmark for the later F-35 and could delay British adoption. John recalls attending a meeting about BAE's contribution to the F-35B lift fan; a different successful British lift system could similarly influence the later aircraft in this scenario. Moving from a supersonic Harrier successor to a stealth aircraft would be a smaller conceptual step than moving directly from the Sea Harrier. Tempest is expected to remain in the Tornado and Typhoon line, so a STOVL version does not follow automatically.