>>10842081If I could make a non-conspiracy theory-tier guess, I'd recon that the UK knew they couldn't afford it, but sold the classified engine designs with the US, possibly in exchange for access to our stealth programs.
The US was very interested in transatmospheric fastmovers in the 80s and early 90s, and at least one of them may have actually flown. At the same time, the RAF foreign air force who's crews have been allowed to train on the F-117 and B-2.
