MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (059/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 18
March 2009
On a visit to
Washington, Defence Secretary John Hutton has today announced the
decision to purchase three Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) test
aircraft - the UK's next generation of supersonic stealth
fast jets.
This deal marks a significant milestone in the UK's
commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter project. Acquisition of JSF
will provide the UK with an unrivalled
"fifth-generation" tactical air system, designed with
stealth characteristics and advanced sensors, and will afford the
UK a 'step change' in capability. UK military personnel
will work alongside their US counterparts in an initial
operational test and evaluation programme for the aircraft.
Defence Secretary John Hutton said:
"The Joint Strike Fighter will form an essential part of our
Future Combat Air Capability.
By purchasing three aircraft for testing, we will secure access
to the development of the programme. Working alongside their US
colleagues, our pilots will gain an unrivalled understanding of
this awesome aircraft and its capabilities.
This is a vital programme for UK Defence both for the military
and for industry, with over 100 UK companies involved in the programme."
JSF is the aircraft of choice to fulfil MoD's Joint Combat
Aircraft requirement and will fly off the two new Royal Navy Queen
Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. The purchase of three test
aircraft will enable MOD to move forward in developing the Carrier
Strike capability.
MoD is a partner in the JSF programme and is investing £2Bn to
develop the aircraft. The prime contracts for these aircraft will
be placed in the US but the decision to place an order for UK
aircraft is equally good news for UK industry. There is
significant UK industrial interest in the JSF Programme with over
100 companies involved in the programme, ranging from major UK JSF
industrial partners down to lower tier suppliers of composite
materials. The potential UK return on investment is substantial.
Notes to Editors:
1. Since 2001 UK industrial expertise has made a significant
contribution to the success of JSF with BAE Systems producing the
tail section of the airframes, Rolls-Royce partnering with GE for
the F136 engine and producing the lift fan for the STOVL variant,
and Martin Baker making the Ejection Seats.
2. UK companies and locations involved include BAE Systems -
Salmesbury; Rolls-Royce - Filton, Bristol; Ultra Electronics -
High Wycombe; Honeywell Normalair - Yeovil, Goodrich Actuation -
Wolverhampton and Liverpool, GE Aerospace - Cheltenham; Martin
Baker - High Wycombe and Selex - Farnborough.
3. Compared with the Conventional Take-off and Landing (F-35A)
variant already flying, the F-35B has a shaft-driven lift fan
mounted behind the cockpit, roll ducts installed in the wing and
swivelling nozzle fitted to the engine. In STOVL mode, doors open
above and below the lift fan, a clutch engages to drive the
two-stage contra-rotating fan from the engine and the rear nozzle
pivots downward to deflect engine thrust.
4. For photographs and CGI footage of the Joint Strike Fighter
please go to http://www.defencenewsimagery.uk
; 020 7218 6997