Joint BAE Systems/government initiative aims to pursue F-35 business opportunities
Australia could establish an international pilot training school for future Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) operators under an initiative announced last week.
Launched by the Australian government, BAE Systems Australia and Lockheed in Melbourne on 14 March, the Australian JSF Industry Coalition will pursue support work and other business opportunities on the JSF project. BAE Australia will head the body, which is also supported by Boeing Australia, Mincom and Thales Training & Simulation. A key goal for the new organisation will be to offer pilot training services for JSF operators, potentially including Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Singapore, says Mark Hodge, BAE Systems vice-president for JSF marketing.
A national facility could mirror the NATO Flying Training in Canada scheme, with military flight operations to be backed by an industry support mechanism, says BAE. Eighteen Australian firms have so far secured business worth $133 million in support of the current phase of the JSF programme and Australian industry wants to be "the first cab in the rank" in offering training services for the type, says Fred Eske, JSF support manager for BAE Australia's Military Air Support business unit.
The JSF is viewed as the most likely solution for the first two phases of Australia's A$12 billion ($9.5 billion) Air 6000 acquisition, with the third element of this project to be met by options such as additional F-35s or unmanned combat air vehicles. Around 100 JSFs will initially be procured to replace the Royal Australian Air Force's General Dynamics F-111 and Boeing F-18A/Bs from 2012.
Australia must sign a memorandum of understanding in December 2006 for the production and sustainment phase of the F-35 programme, along with up to seven other export customers.
CRAIG HOYLE/AVALON
Source: Flight International
