The US/UK Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme is to be restructured so the competing design teams can complete the concept demonstration phase with the funds available.
JSF programme office deputy director Maj Gen Mike Haugh says that the work to be accomplished within the current phase will be reduced to compensate for cost overruns on the Boeing and Lockheed Martin concept demonstration efforts.
"The companies will not get any more money," he says. "We can complete the concept demonstration without cost sharing or independent research and development funding," he adds. Both had been considered as ways to offset the cost overruns.
"There have been cost growths," Haugh confirms. "But we have some margin. It will not affect the schedule or the down select. We have had to re-organise, but everyone is on schedule to execute," he says. "There will be no slip in schedule and no extra money."
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics sector president Micky Blackwell has disputed reports that the company's JSF concept demonstration programme is more than $100 million over budget. "The projected overruns are based on estimated costs to complete the work still to be done. We are going through those now to see what is real and what can be cut out," he says.
Blackwell says that the company will fly both demonstrators and produce a competitive proposal for JSF development and production within the funds available.
Source: Flight International
