F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: Events & Contracts 2007-08 (updated)
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The F-35 Lightning II is a major multinational program which is intended to produce an “affordably stealthy” multi-role strike fighter that will have three variants: the F-35A conventional version for the US Air Force et. al.; the F-35B Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing for the US Marines, British Royal Navy, et. al.; and the F-35C conventional carrier-launched version for the US Navy. The aircraft is named after Lockheed’s famous WW2 P-38 Lightning, and the Mach 2, stacked-engine English Electric (now BAE) Lightning jet. System development partners included The USA & Britain (Tier 1), Italy and the Netherlands (Tier 2), and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (Tier 3). Now the challenge is agreeing on production phase buys, with initial purchase commitments expected around 2008-2009. Export interest is also beginning to stir in a number of quarters, even though full testing will not be complete until 2014.
DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This updated article has expanded to feature more detail regarding the $300 billion F-35 program, including details regarding the different F-35 variants, associated contracts for the aircraft, and notable events on the bumpy road toward stable production. New material is in green type. Recent additions include a sharp response from Saab re: the Norwegian competition, noise issues spreading to the Netherlands, and an engine contract between Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce…
- The F-35 Family of Aircraft (i.e. “Continue reading…”)
- F-35 Program: Production Timelines & Structure
- F-35 Program: Events & Developments, 2007-08 [updated]
- F-35 Program: System Development & Production Contracts, 2007-08 [updated]
- F-35 Program: Ancillary and Sub-contracts, 2007-08
- Additional Readings & Sources
Get instant access to the whole F-35 story, at $300 billion the largest weapons program ever, when you subscribe to DII. Our cross-linked article network and reference materials include:
- 18 photos and graphic cutaways; also tens of other photos of related systems and programs
- The F-35A-C family of variants, and some comparison to other fighters
- Advanced systems and accessories, such as the Helmet (HMDS), the APG-81 AESA radar and more
- Contributing contractors
- Collaborating countries, who is involved, and how
- Production timelines
- GAO assessments of likely actual costs
- Links to press releases, articles and statements from the source: Lockheed Martin, BAE, US DOD, US GAO, and others
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