Additional details
In Service Date - 2012
The first JSF will be operational in the US in 2010 with the first UK Squadron due to enter service in 2012. Notable UK Major Milestones are:
· 2001 SDD MOU Signature
· 2001 Source Selection decision
· 2002 Variant Selection decision
· 2007 PFSD MOU
· 2008 BF-1 first flight
· 2010 First aircraft delivery
· 2012 In Service Date
Quantities
The current UK planning assumption is for up to 150 F-35B aircraft to satisfy the JCA requirement, although the UK's initial buy may be slightly fewer. It is widely believed that F-35 will also be a component of the FOAS solutions, in which case there is the possibility of significant further sales (although these may not be of the STOVL configuration). This has
ramifications for support and training concepts and costs.
UK Commercial Aspects
The SDD contract with Lockheed Martin was signed 26 October 2001. Its overall value is some $18.98B (£15Bn).
UK Industry has enjoyed considerable success in securing involvement in the JSF programme on merit. Four members of the UK JSF Team have significant roles on the SDD programme, whilst MBDA’s weapons will ensure interoperability with other UK aircraft and offer customers a choice over the incumbent offering. Each company’s role and capability is described in the “JSF UK Industry Team” section of this website.
International Collaboration
The JSF SDD programme has made international involvement a key element of its current vision statement: "…be the model acquisition programme for joint service and international co-operation." The SDD phase includes partner participation as follows:
United Kingdom (Level I – Collaborative Partner)
Italy & Netherlands (Level II – Associate Partner)
Denmark, Norway, Canada, Turkey and Australia (Level III – Informed Partner)
Singapore and Israel (Level IV- Security Cooperation Participant)
These same partners will be given the opportunity to participate in Production and Sustainment.