THE UK AND US Governments will negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering low-observable technologies for the Joint Strike Fighter after the award of two demonstrator contracts in November.
The Government-to-Government agreement would cover the UK's access to "low-observable" requirements and capabilities. The agreement could form an annexe to the initial MoU signed in 1995.
As well as meeting US Air Force, US Marine Corps and US Navy requirements, the JSF project is also being funded by the UK Ministry of Defence to meet the Royal Navy's British Aerospace Sea Harrier replacement needs.
There are now technology areas feeding into the JSF, to which the UK does not have full access, say well-placed industry sources.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) is due to pick two from the three bids: Boeing, Lockheed Martin and a team of British Aerospace, McDonnell Douglas and Northrop Grumman, by 7 or 8 November. All three had until 23 September to submit final offers.
The contenders and the DoD all appear to be steeling themselves for what is being viewed as the inevitable appeal by the loser.
Source: Flight International
