US announces Israeli JSF buy

September 30, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Contract Awards, Department of Defense, FMS, Israel, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, production program 

The US Department of Defense announced that Israel has agreed to buy 25 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) and support. The contract is worth about $15 B. While eight partner countries will also fly the JSF, Israel becomes the first FMS customer. The JSF will be a short take-off and landing aircraft to replace F-16 and AV-8 aircraft.

See the story at Rueters.com.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Looks like Australia will go with the JSF

April 27, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas, Military Aviation, development program 

Australia had being going back and forth on wanting the F-22 instead of the JSF. China, I am sure, has a lot to do with this. According to this story, the decision has been made to go with the F-35. America has a law preventing the export of the F-22, but Australia had asked for it anyway. There was some desire from the USAF to sell it, as every FMS sale lowers the price and the Air Force would like some more. The only way that is going to happen is to get it cheaper. So it will have to be seen if any sales overseas are made. Certainly Australia and the UK would be the prime customers for the F-22.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Australia cuts bait

March 18, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Contract Awards, McDonnell Douglas, Military Aviation, production program 

The Australian government decided after all to go ahead with the purchase of the F/A-18 to gap fill until the JSF is available. An article is here. The new more liberal government had discussed canceling the contract to save money. Now they claim they have been able to reduce the total cost, so it is worthwhile. See a previous article here. Read more

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Air Force to decide on F-35 depot

March 6, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, U.S. Air Force, development program, logistics 

An interesting part of the entry of any new equipment into service is where to have its depot? If the military is using their traditional three level maintenance program the system will require a depot. According to this short article in The Salt Lake Tribune it sounds like the Air Force’s depots, here Hill in Utah, are competing to get the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) work. Read more

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

US law prevents Australia from acquiring F-22

February 25, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Australia, Department of Defense, FMS, Federal Budget Process, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, U.S. Air Force, production program 

Australia has expressed an interest in procuring F-22 Raptor aircraft. Currently they are planning on buying JSF ultimately. Currently US law prevents the export of the F-22. In this article from News.com.au, the US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, expresses the sentiment that Australia would be good stewards of the F-22 if they received them. Obviously the law is to prevent the transfer of what is considered the best technology that the US has, but there are certain allies in the past that have been able to share it. As previously discussed technical transfer laws have become very restrictive and have affected US programs.

—————-
Now playing on iTunes: Led Zeppelin - Kashmir (Album Version)
via FoxyTunes

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,