UK purchased F-35C, which, for several years (circa 2010-12) looked possible on a CATOBAR Queen Elizabeth CV.
This F-35C would be the UK's IOC variant with a later FOC variant also included.
A 2025 UK F-35C Block 3I/4 variant based off of #4699 and #3836 would make sense, with the full array of UK weapons including X6 Meteors (with Sidekick), ASRAAMs, SPEAR 3, SPEAR EW, Storm Shadow, Paveway IVs etc.
"The SDSR announced the government's intention to switch its purchase of F-35Bs to the carrier-variant F-35C to allow for a wider range and weapons to be used. However, in May 2012 this decision was reversed, and the F-35B was chosen instead, as the previous government had intended. This was because the cost of converting the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to accommodate the carrier-variant F-35C had risen to twice the original estimate."
KushanGaming
commented
2 years ago
DB Selector
DB3K
Baseline
4935
Hypothetical
Yes
Name
Lightning II (F-35C)
Country
UK
Service
Royal Navy / RAF
In Commission
2018+
Number in Service
Potentially upto 138
Length (m)
Same as #4935
Wingspan (m)
Same as #4935
Height (m)
Same as #4935
Empty Weight (kg)
Same as #4935
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) (kg)
Same as #4935
Payload Weight (kg)
Same as #4935
Crew
1
Propulsion
Same as #4935
Rate of Climb (ft/min)
Same as #4935
Service Ceiling (ft)
Same as #4935
Military/Afterburner Speed (kt)
Same as #4935
Cruise Speed (kt)
Same as #4935
Supercruise
No
Ferry Range (nm)
Same as #4935
Endurance (min)
Same as #4935
Takeoff / Landing Distance (m)
Same as #4935
Fuel Capacity (kg)
Same as #4935
Sensors
Same as #4935, apart from the OECM. That will be the same as the UK's F-35B's (#1095) Export OECM.
Mounts
Same as #4935
Loadout Options
Similar to #1095 with AIM-120Ds, ASRAAMs, Paveway IVs and the 25mm gunpod.
Comms/Datalinks
Same as #4935
Aircraft Codes
Terrain Avoidance, Fly-by-Wire, Night Navigation/Attack (Incl. Bomb, Rocket Delivery), Bombsight - Advanced Navigation (INS/GPS), Helmet Mounted Sight / Display (HMS/HMD), Probe Refuelling
Comments
UK purchased F-35C, which, for several years (circa 2010-12) looked possible on a CATOBAR Queen Elizabeth CV. This F-35C would be the UK's IOC variant with a later FOC variant also included. A 2025 UK F-35C Block 3I/4 variant based off of #4699 and #3836 would make sense, with the full array of UK weapons including X6 Meteors (with Sidekick), ASRAAMs, SPEAR 3, SPEAR EW, Storm Shadow, Paveway IVs etc.
Sources
https://www.cmano-db.com/aircraft/1095/
https://www.cmano-db.com/aircraft/4935/
https://www.cmano-db.com/aircraft/4699/
https://www.cmano-db.com/aircraft/3836/
"The SDSR announced the government's intention to switch its purchase of F-35Bs to the carrier-variant F-35C to allow for a wider range and weapons to be used. However, in May 2012 this decision was reversed, and the F-35B was chosen instead, as the previous government had intended. This was because the cost of converting the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to accommodate the carrier-variant F-35C had risen to twice the original estimate."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Defence_and_Security_Review_2010