There is a difference between combat radius and ferry range. The F-35B has a ferry range of about 900nm so to get from NAS Pax River to UK would only require 5

There is a difference between combat radius and ferry range. The F-35B has a ferry range of about 900nm so to get from NAS Pax River to UK would only require 5 or 6 tankings in the air. This assumes the F-35Bs fly without external tanks. Almost all long crossings over ocean require a divert point if the jets can't refuel in the air, or have a trapped fuel issue where they can't use fuel from one or more tanks. Typically, fighters "top up" the tanks more than strictly needed, for additional margin if something goes wrong. It doesn't require 10 refuelings, just for range. Another likely explanation is a delay in getting clearance to fly in the UK, largely due to the recent mishap. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/07/02/uk-lockheed-fighter-inspections-idUKKBN0F72ES20140702 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/07/02/uk-lockheed-fighter... > "Strict UK liability laws mean British authorities need additional information before granting flight clearances. If something went wrong, the individual officer who approved the flight could be sued personally, the sources said." Edit: Corrected the point about extra refuelings.