Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 15, 2008 - (Page 28) FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 STOVL JSF Flies, Program Enters LRIP Lockheed Martin reports steady progress on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, as well as having crossed one of their program milestones by flying the very first Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) F-35B aircraft. Company representatives here at Farnborough 2008 feel confident about the program’s future and are showcasing a number of the technologies —including a fully interactive cockpit display—at the LM The first STOVL F-25B has flown, but won’t attempt STOVL flight until next year. pavilion. BF-1, the first STOVL aircraft, LM program specialists state that production (LRIP) phase. So far, we first flew last month, but in the con- even in CTOL flight, the STOVL anticipate the program staying on ventional takeoff and landing systems and procedures are still track with both the domestic and foreign customers.” (CTOL) mode with BAE Systems validated. Potential problems include the LM spokesmen said that “all of test pilot Graham Tomlinson at the controls. Full-scale STOVL flight- the 13 developmental aircraft are cost of the program, as well as testing will not begin until early ready and that the program has disagreements on final pricing esti2009, although the test pilots and entered into the low rate of initial mates for the flyaway cost for individual units of the aircraft. Program costs are now 43% “All of the 13 developmental aircraft are more than the original 2001 estiready and the program has entered into mate, largely due to decisions by the U.S. Congress to slow down the low rate of initial production (LRIP) production and to stretch out the phase. So far, we anticipate the program manufacturing schedule over a staying on track with both the domestic greater number of years. Higher costs are a problem for some of and foreign customers.” the F-35’s customers, who face the —LM spokesman decision between cutting back on the numbers to be procured or cutting other programs in order to be able to afford the F-35. Australia’s new Labour government has been particularly vocal about wanting to re-visit the F-35 procurement and is questioning the merits of the decision by the previous Liberal government under PM John Howard. But Australian DoD and other military officials are not panicking because of the new cost estimates by the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO), an arm of the U.S. Congress. The head of the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation, Dr. Stephen Gumley, told a parliamentary committee just last week that Australia could expect to pay no more than $75 million per JSF, which he called affordable. Gumley has been dismissive of cost estimates by the GAO and others that have projected a price of over $125 million per aircraft, which are reflected in some of his comments on the program. “I have 128 cost predictions on the F-35, and they’re all accurate,” he stated earlier in the year in a public statement. —Reuben F. Johnson MoD Is Investigating Apache Friendly Fire Incident The British Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into a possible friendly fire incident in Afghanistan on July 9. On that day, a British ground patrol requested fire support from a British Apache helicopter gunship when the patrol made contact with enemy forces near Forward Operating Base Gibraltar. After firing at that enemy position, the Apache fired on another location that the helicopter crew thought was occupied by the enemy as well. However, in the confusing situation, three members of the ground patrol were seriously wounded and six more were classified as walking wounded. They were all evacuated by helicopter to a medical facility. Six of the soldiers have returned to duty, and three are still being treated for their wounds. The incident in question took place in Afghanistan just last week. 28 July 15, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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