Overview
Background
From conception the JSF Programme was to have foreign investment, principally from the UK, as the UK was looking ahead to replace its GR9/GR9A, T10 Harrier and FA-2 Sea Harrier aircraft. Several other countries have also invested money into the JSF programme albeit at a lower level to observe the aircraft development, without influencing the design configuration.
The UK has been involved in the ASTOVL, JAST & JSF programmes and its JAST predecessor since 1986, and in January 2001 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enter the SDD phase of the JSF programme as the sole Level 1 partner. As Level 1 partner, the UK’s requirements are formally incorporated into the JORD placed on LM. To secure this status, the UK has committed £1.4bn to the US programme, supplemented by £600m for UK-unique requirements. As a Level 1 partner, the UK was fully involved in the CDP down-select process.
It was announced on 30 September 2002 that the STOVL variant (F-35B) had been selected by the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) to meet the UK requirement, in preference to the Conventional Carrier (CV) variant. In doing so, the UK joined the USMC as confirmed operators of the F-35B STOVL variant. It is believed that several other countries, not just current operators of Harrier VSTOL aircraft, are considering the STOVL variant.
Associated UK Programmes
UK forces are undergoing one of the most dramatic periods of procurement since the Second World War and JCA/JSF will not act in isolation.
FJCA is closely associated with the CVF programme and there are also strong linkages with the Maritime Airborne Surveillance Capability (MASC) programme and also with the RAF’s Future Offensive Air System (FOAS).
FOAS is particularly relevant. The requirement emerged from earlier work, the Future Offensive Aircraft (FOA), predicated on the assumption that a manned aircraft would eventually replace the RAF’s Panavia Tornado strike aircraft and Joint Force Harrier fleet. The latter requirement was obviously subsumed into the Joint Combat Aircraft project.
Much research and numerous studies confirmed that a long range air-delivery strike capability would still be needed when the Panavia Tornado leaves service, however it was still uncertain that a new manned aircraft would be the most cost-effective solution.
The decision was therefore made in 1997 to launch a series of Feasibility Studies to explore unmanned aircraft and long range cruise missiles as well as looking in more detail at possible manned solutions (including derivatives of the Panavia Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon). In recognition of this broader remit, the project was renamed the Future Offensive Air System (FOAS).
General characteristics / technical performance
On entry into service with the RN and RAF, JCA will be required to operate in all weathers, day and night missions for air defence of the fleet and of ground forces and for the offensive air support of ground forces, ranging from close air support to long-range air interdiction, as well as anti-surface warfare and tactical reconnaissance. These aircraft shall be operated at RAF Wittering & RAF Cottesmore as is planned for the Joint Harrier Force.
Key attributes of JCA in comparison to current Joint Force Harriers include:
· supersonic
· improved survivability
· internal and external weapons carriage
· improved supportability
· increased range relative to Harrier
Costs
It is currently anticipated that the total procurement cost of JCA will be up to £10bn - depending on the number of aircraft required and the variant selected. Subsequent costs will be determined by whatever through life support strategy the UK decides to adopt. This makes JCA one of the Defence Procurement Agency’s largest acquisition programmes over the next two decades.