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JSF delay could trigger series of after-shocks
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| 18 April 2006 |
By Stephen Trimble and Damian Kemp
The US Air Force's (USAF's) senior officer is warning that a repeat of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's costly development crisis of two years ago could trigger a wave of after-shocks in other fighter programmes.
USAF Chief of Staff General T Michael Moseley, speaking to reporters on 11 April 2006, emphasised that he remains "confident" that the programme is on the right track, but acknowledged concerns about the potential for new delays as the aircraft's software package is integrated.
Aside from substantial problems a delay would cause to manufacturing and US capability, the ripple effect to other partner countries - including Italy, Spain and the UK, who are looking to carrier-borne F-35Bs - would have a major impact.
The UK already has contingency plans in place to use its carrier-based GR.9 Harriers to compensate for any gap between its new carriers coming into service and the planned F-35B short take-off and landing variant, but how long this could be sustained remains unanswered.
Italy and Spain are also looking to the F-35B, but these two countries face similar issues to the UK if they attempt to extend the service of their own carrier-based AV-8B Harriers beyond 30-35 years.
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