UK looks to swap an F-35B for an F-35C

With the UK’s decision last year to switch its preferred model of F-35 from the STOVL F-35B to the more conventional but carrier capable F-35C, the UK MoD is looking to swap the sole F-35B it has funded to date with an F-35C.

The swap, which the Pentagon has reportedly described as “mutually beneficial” and “cost neutral”, will require a legislative amendment to the 2012 defense authorisation bill in order to be approved. The F-35B in question was funded under the Low Rate Initial Production lot 3 (LRIP 3) build run in 2009 and the aircraft is currently under construction, while there also a number of F-35Cs in various stages of manufacture at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility.