The basic premise of this divergence is that the F-111K is actually procured as planned in 1968, with most of the aircraft being delivered by 1972.
This would of course mean that the Buccaneer is retired with the withdrawal of the RN's fleet carriers.
Meanwhile both the Jaguar and AFVG programs fail due to irreconcilable differences between the aims of the AdA and RAF.
This commits the RAF to a second buy of F-111Ks, though this time with a part of the construction taking place in the UK via a GD-BAC partnership.
This of course means that the MRCA program that would have lead to the Tornado remains a mostly continental partnership, that itself stutters and dies, with most of the partners opting for french or American planes instead.
Fast forward to the mid 70s and the Lightning is beginning to show it's age, The RAF needs a replacement interceptor to guard against the Soviet bomber fleet.
In conjunction with this is the fact the UK's current main line fighter plane, the FGR2 Phantom is beginning to be outmatched by newer Soviet models coming into service, such as the Foxhound, Fulcrum and Flanker.
Seeking to the solve both problems, the RAF issues a specification for a long range, all weather fighter plane. The recently formed BAe comes up with a preliminary design for a twin engined fighter under the ACA program. However projections showed that it would not be ready until the late 80s.
Unwilling to wait ten years to renovate their fighter force, and still irritated by the French. The RAF turns to their most recent aircraft supplier, the USA.
The recently introduced F-15 Eagle, made by McDonnell Douglas appears to fit the specification perfectly, and be a worthy replacement for the Phantoms currently in inventory.
Negotiations are lengthy but by 1977 a firm contract to buy F-15 Eagles is made by the Ministry of Defence.
The initial purchase is of ex-USAF inventory F-15A and B models that were in the processes of being replaced by the more recent C and D.
These enter into RAF service in 1979 as the Eagle F.1 and T.2 respectively. These aircraft equip four former lightning squadrons, and are given avionics upgrades by BAe to carry and fire the new Skyflash semi-active homing missiles.
These squadrons perform well, and showcase a great amount of opportunity for co-operation and interoperability with forward deployed USAF squadrons in Britain and Germany.
A fifth squadron of F-15As are transferred to the UK following the Falklands war.
In 1982 the MoD announces that a further order of Eagles will be made so as to replace the Lightning force in it's entirity, and remove the Phantoms from the air defence role.
However discussion in parliament temporarily blocks this order, as members enquire why more is not being done to support the local British Aircraft industry.
The existence of the ACA, now EAP program, which BAe had continued to work on as a private venture, and was nearing maturity, is touted as an alternative to buying further Eagles.
After the debate it is announced that the Eagle purchase will go ahead, due to the cost considerations of operating too many different types of aircraft.
However instead of buying off the shelf again, it is determined that the RAF will instead procure a custom version to their own specifications, and fitted with British avionics, engines, and ejectors seats, similar to the Phantom purchases.
Also part of the order would be manufactured by BAe in Britain in partnership with McDonnel Douglas.
The resulting aircraft is the F-15K, it is a combat capable version of the F-15D, with the second seat being filled by a WSO. It is fitted with Rolls Royce engines, and Martin Baker ejection seats and powerful Marconi Foxhunter Radar. Also of note is that the F-15K is fitted for probe and drogue aerial refueling instead of the original design's boom method.
To increase capability across the Eagle fleet, in 1986 the original Eagle F.2s and T.1s are modified with a fixed aerial refueling booms.
The first F-15Ks come into service in 1985 as the Eagle F.3, and are greatly valued by the RAF, allowing them to track and intercept Soviet bombers with great speed, shadowing the marauders as they traveled along their North Sea circuits.
By 1987 all the Lightnings have been retired, and the squadrons re-equipped with Eagle F.3s. Several Phantoms squadrons are also replaced in the air defence role.
This would of course mean that the Buccaneer is retired with the withdrawal of the RN's fleet carriers.
Meanwhile both the Jaguar and AFVG programs fail due to irreconcilable differences between the aims of the AdA and RAF.
This commits the RAF to a second buy of F-111Ks, though this time with a part of the construction taking place in the UK via a GD-BAC partnership.
This of course means that the MRCA program that would have lead to the Tornado remains a mostly continental partnership, that itself stutters and dies, with most of the partners opting for french or American planes instead.
Fast forward to the mid 70s and the Lightning is beginning to show it's age, The RAF needs a replacement interceptor to guard against the Soviet bomber fleet.
In conjunction with this is the fact the UK's current main line fighter plane, the FGR2 Phantom is beginning to be outmatched by newer Soviet models coming into service, such as the Foxhound, Fulcrum and Flanker.
Seeking to the solve both problems, the RAF issues a specification for a long range, all weather fighter plane. The recently formed BAe comes up with a preliminary design for a twin engined fighter under the ACA program. However projections showed that it would not be ready until the late 80s.
Unwilling to wait ten years to renovate their fighter force, and still irritated by the French. The RAF turns to their most recent aircraft supplier, the USA.
The recently introduced F-15 Eagle, made by McDonnell Douglas appears to fit the specification perfectly, and be a worthy replacement for the Phantoms currently in inventory.
Negotiations are lengthy but by 1977 a firm contract to buy F-15 Eagles is made by the Ministry of Defence.
The initial purchase is of ex-USAF inventory F-15A and B models that were in the processes of being replaced by the more recent C and D.
These enter into RAF service in 1979 as the Eagle F.1 and T.2 respectively. These aircraft equip four former lightning squadrons, and are given avionics upgrades by BAe to carry and fire the new Skyflash semi-active homing missiles.
These squadrons perform well, and showcase a great amount of opportunity for co-operation and interoperability with forward deployed USAF squadrons in Britain and Germany.
A fifth squadron of F-15As are transferred to the UK following the Falklands war.
In 1982 the MoD announces that a further order of Eagles will be made so as to replace the Lightning force in it's entirity, and remove the Phantoms from the air defence role.
However discussion in parliament temporarily blocks this order, as members enquire why more is not being done to support the local British Aircraft industry.
The existence of the ACA, now EAP program, which BAe had continued to work on as a private venture, and was nearing maturity, is touted as an alternative to buying further Eagles.
After the debate it is announced that the Eagle purchase will go ahead, due to the cost considerations of operating too many different types of aircraft.
However instead of buying off the shelf again, it is determined that the RAF will instead procure a custom version to their own specifications, and fitted with British avionics, engines, and ejectors seats, similar to the Phantom purchases.
Also part of the order would be manufactured by BAe in Britain in partnership with McDonnel Douglas.
The resulting aircraft is the F-15K, it is a combat capable version of the F-15D, with the second seat being filled by a WSO. It is fitted with Rolls Royce engines, and Martin Baker ejection seats and powerful Marconi Foxhunter Radar. Also of note is that the F-15K is fitted for probe and drogue aerial refueling instead of the original design's boom method.
To increase capability across the Eagle fleet, in 1986 the original Eagle F.2s and T.1s are modified with a fixed aerial refueling booms.
The first F-15Ks come into service in 1985 as the Eagle F.3, and are greatly valued by the RAF, allowing them to track and intercept Soviet bombers with great speed, shadowing the marauders as they traveled along their North Sea circuits.
By 1987 all the Lightnings have been retired, and the squadrons re-equipped with Eagle F.3s. Several Phantoms squadrons are also replaced in the air defence role.
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