Will Participate In Testing Program

British Defense Secretary John Hutton announced Wednesday on a visit to Washington, DC the decision to purchase three Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) test aircraft, marking a significant milestone for the UK's commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter project.

Under terms of the deal, the United Kingdom will receive three short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variants of the JSF, known in the States as the F-35B. UK military personnel will work alongside their US counterparts in an initial operational test and evaluation program for the aircraft, including trials onboard two new Royal navy Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers..

"The Joint Strike Fighter will form an essential part of our Future Combat Air Capability," said Hutton. "By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will secure access to the development of the program. Working alongside their US colleagues, our pilots will gain an unrivalled understanding of this awesome aircraft and its capabilities."

Hutton added over 100 UK companies are involved in the JSF program, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and GE Aerospace. Britain funded $2 billion for development of the JSF program, the largest among partner nations also including Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia... but until this week had not publicly committed to purchasing any JSFs.

Lockheed Martin, primary manufacturer of the F-35, says the UK is expected to eventually order up to 138 fighters.

"From the JSF program's very beginnings, the United Kingdom has been deeply involved in the funding, research, engineering and development of the F-35 Lightning II, and has made enormous contributions to its success," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed executive vice president and F-35 Program Integration general manager. "This purchase reflects the key partnership the UK and US will share in joint operational testing, starting early in the next decade. We look forward to the UK's continued central role in making a great aircraft even better."

As ANN reported, a Pentagon official in December said he expected international orders for the JSF to start trickling in this year. The F-35 is intended to ultimately replace a slew of fighter aircraft worldwide, including Lockheed F-16s and Boeing F/A-18 Hornets.

FMI: www.teamjsf.com, www.mod.uk/