The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) is the official designation of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence used for the F-35 Lightning II. The F-35, developed from the X-35, is the result of the Joint Strike Fighter program. JCA has been closely aligned with the "Future Carrier" (CVF) programme due to the interdependencies between the two; the latter developed into the . Both the F-35s and the carriers are the main elements of "Carrier Strike", the term for an initial capability for both elements along with the Merlin Crowsnest airborne radar system. The next steps is the introduction of the second carrier and a second squadron of F-35Bs to allow the carriers to operate the full range of intended roles; this capability, "Carrier Enabled Power Projection" is expected in 2026. Programme history The JCA programme began as a result of the approval of a "Staff Target" in 1996 for a Future Carrier Borne Aircraft (FCBA), a multirole fighter/attack aircraft to replace the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier FA2. In 1998 the British Government published its Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which confirmed the strategy for future British carrier aircraft: The creation of "Joint Force 2000" combining the Royal Navy's Harrier FA2s and RAF Harrier GR7s into a joint force capable of operating from land bases or aircraft carriers. The procurement of a future carrier borne aircraft was confirmed, replacing both the Royal Navy and RAF types. The replacement of the three aircraft carriers with "two larger, more versatile, carriers capable of carrying a more powerful force". Various carrier aircraft types and carrier configurations were studied. The SDR singled out the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as "a strong contender"; the UK had signed a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 1995 making it a partner in the JSF Concept Demonstration phase. Other aircraft considered were the F/A-18E, Dassault Rafale-M, a 'navalised' Eurofighter Typhoon, and an "advanced Harrier". The requirement to replace both Royal Navy and RAF Harriers led to the renaming of the programme as Future Joint Combat Aircraft (FJCA) in 2001. Later, in the third and final name change of the project, the word "future" was removed. Aircraft selection In January 2001, the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US Department of Defense for full participation in the Joint Strike Fighter project, confirming the JSF as the JCA. This gave the UK significant input into aircraft design and the choice