The United Kingdom has announced that it will procure at least 12 F-35A fighter aircraft as part of NATO’s nuclear mission, bringing the Royal Air Force back into a nuclear role…
The F-35A aircraft will be based at RAF Marham and assigned to NATO’s nuclear mission.
The F-35A aircraft will have a dual-capable role and can be configured to carry nuclear weapons in a conflict.
The United Kingdom’s independent nuclear deterrent is currently provided by four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines equipped with Trident II D5 missiles and based at HMNB Clyde.
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan engine, the F-35A has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a combat radius of approximately 1,100 kilometers.
The F-35A combines a low-observable airframe with the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, electro-optical targeting system and advanced electronic warfare capabilities, providing the aircraft with air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.
The F-35A aircraft to be procured by the UK are planned to carry Meteor and ASRAAM air-to-air missiles, as well as the SPEAR 3 stand-off missile. For nuclear operations, the aircraft are expected to be configured to carry B61-12 nuclear bombs…