![]() The F-35 relies heavily on software for operation of radar, weapons, flight controls and also maintenance. The uncritical use of F-35 sales projections that are now almost 10 years out of date calls into question other claims made by officials about the F-35 program." Īn issue that affects all the international partners in the F-35 involves access to the computer software code for the aircraft. Realistically, the likelihood of worldwide F-35 sales is closer to the figure now given as the order total for the program partner countries, that is, 'up to' 3,500 aircraft. Analyst Kenneth Epps stated in November 2010: "The global F-35 market of 'up to' 5,000 aircraft cited by Canadian industry and government officials is outdated and now greatly overstated. Several government officials, including Canadian Industry Minister Tony Clement, have used the production number of 5,000 as recently as September 2010 as an indication of the supposed benefit to industry in providing components and services for this large fleet. military to perform a "block buy" of 477 aircraft over 3 years, starting the cost/scale-spiral in a desirable direction. More recent critical analysis has seriously questioned the assumptions made in estimating these markets and hence the resulting unit cost of the aircraft and its life-cycle costs as well. The size of the market was instrumental in determining many of the cost calculations and economies of scale. In 2001 Lockheed Martin claimed a potential market of 5,179 aircraft, including exports beyond the partner countries. versions, according to Brigadier General David Heinz, program executive officer in 2009. The exported F-35 versions will have the same configuration as the U.S. While the General Dynamics F-16E/F Fighting Falcon costs $50 million per export copy, the F-35 is likely to cost between $110–130 million. Furthermore, F-35 export competitiveness has been hurt by international buyers finding its export variant either too costly per unit or "watered down". Some initial partner countries, including the United Kingdom, and Norway, Netherlands and Israel have wavered in their public commitment to the JSF program, hinting that the design goals are overambitious or warning that unless they receive more subcontracts or technology transfer, they will forsake JSF for the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Dassault Rafale or simply upgrade their existing aircraft. Participant nations:įoreign Military Sales Participants: Belgium Israel and Singapore have joined as so-called " security cooperative participants" (SCP). Level 3 partners are Turkey, US$195 million Canada US$160 million Australia, US$144 million Norway, US$122 million and Denmark, US$110 million. Level 2 partners are Italy, and the Netherlands, who are contributing US$1 billion and US$800 million each respectively. The United Kingdom is the sole "Level 1" partner, contributing US$2.5 billion, which was about 10% of the planned development costs under the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding that brought the UK into the project. The levels generally reflect the financial stake in the program, the amount of technology transfer and subcontracts open for bid by national companies, and the order in which countries can obtain production aircraft. There are three levels of international participation. The nine major partner nations, including the U.S., plan to acquire over 3,100 F-35s through 2035, which, if delivered will make the F-35 one of the most numerous jet fighters. Norway has estimated that each of their planned 52 F-35 fighter jets will cost their country $769 million over their operational lifetime. ![]() ![]() Total development costs are estimated at more than US$40 billion, while the purchase of an estimated 2,400 planes is expected to cost an additional US$200 billion. While the United States is the primary customer and financial backer, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Norway and Denmark agreed to contribute US$4.375 billion toward the development costs of the program. The F-35 Lightning II was conceived from the start of the project as having participation from many countries, most of which would both contribute to the manufacture of the aircraft and procure it for their own armed forces. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II procurement is the planned selection and purchase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by various countries. The first operational USAF F-35 on its delivery flight to Eglin Air Force Base in July 2011.
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