First details of the proposed initial production run of the US/UK Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) show that a sharp build-up is being planned, with more than 240 aircraft either due to be built, or to be under assembly, within six years of the first flight of development test aircraft.
The current plan calls for the winner of the concept-demonstration programme to build the first development flight-test aircraft for flights beginning in 2004. This would be the culmination of the engineering and manufacturing demonstration (EMD) phase, which is to run from 2001 to 2008. The first operational flight-test aircraft would be flown during the last year of the EMD, also in 2008.
Long-lead items for the first 12 aircraft to be built under phase I of low-rate initial production (LRIP I), are due to enter production in 2004, with delivery of the first aircraft in 2007, pending full funding approval in 2005.
This phase is followed by the LRIP II, beginning with long lead items in 2005, and the delivery of the first of 24 aircraft in the third quarter of 2007. The LRIP III, covering 36 aircraft, would also begin with long-lead items in 2005, and involves first deliveries starting in 2008, pending funding approval at the end of 2006. Long-lead items for the fourth and final LRIP phase would start rolling at the end of 2006. Deliveries of the first of 60 JSF aircraft covered by the LRIP IV would start in 2009.
The build-up to full-rate production is due to begin with the start of long-lead items in 2007. Funding will be sought for approval of the production phase in 2008, the year in which initial operational clearance will be gained. The first of up to 110 aircraft due to be ordered for the first phase of full production are expected to begin being delivered in the last quarter of 2010. Deliveries will run through to 2012, by when the second production phase is expected to be well under way.
Boeing confirms that British Aerospace is being considered as "a possible" teaming partner for the JSF concept-definition programme. Boeing president and chief executive Phil Condit says: "We are looking at potential teaming agreements and BAe is one of those."
Source: Flight International
