F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: SDD Contracts & Events 2006
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Australia & S. Pacific, Bombs - Cluster, Bombs - Smart, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Fighters & Attack, IT - Software & Integration, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Israel, New Systems Tech, R&D - Contracted, Testing & Evaluation
(click to view full)
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.
This article covers the $300 billion international program’s events, main contracts, and ancillary programs during FY/CY 2006. Some of the links below lead to the most current version of our coverage, which has been updated to reflect the most recent research and developments. Those items are indicated by **.
- F-35 Program 2008
- F-35 Program 2007
- F-35 Program: Events & Developments (2006)
- F-35 Program: System Development & Production Contracts (2006)
- F-35 Program: Ancillary and Sub-contracts (2006)
- The F-35 Family of Aircraft**
- F-35 Program: Production Timelines & Structure**
- 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
Subscribe now to the Defense Industry Insider and stay on top of news and developments with this story and others. DII covers more than 200 defense procurement programs, thousands of links, expert analysis and industry news.
