A vision for a European F-35 final assembly and check-out (FACO) line based on Italian soil and operationally controlled by Lockheed Martin is taking shape within the nine-nation Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) development programme.
Interest from the Italian government and industry is driving the new requirement, but US programme officials are clear that the cost of the concept must be borne by the host country.
“We’re not going to pay the cost for Italy to assemble aircraft,” says Brig Gen Charles Davis, deputy JSF programme executive officer. “Anything Lockheed proposes has got to be cost neutral.”
Davis says the programme office will consider a proposal for an Italian-based FACO line being drawn up by Lockheed. The programme office will base its decision around the value proposition for opening a second production line, while government security agencies will determine if the technology transfer regulations can allow it.
A contentious point may involve the scope of work available for a second production line. Davis says an alternative FACO site based in Italy would be limited to working on that country’s projected order for about 130 aircraft. Lockheed officials are considering the concept of an assembly line for Europe, with at least 200 aircraft believed to make a sound business case.
Source: Flight International
