Online Sponsor: April 01, 2003
JSF Development on Track, First Test Engine By GAIL KAUFMAN, DEFENSE NEWS MEDIA GROUP
Air Force Maj. Gen. John L. “Jack” Hudson, the JSF program executive officer and program director for the multi-national program, is also confident that engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney will deliver its first test engine this fall. Hudson spoke to service and defense industry representatives here April 1 during the second day of the Defense News Media Group conference: Strike Warfare Precision Attack: Compressing the ‘Flash-to-Bang’ Cycle. Just 18 months into the system development and demonstration portion of the program, prime contractor Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, Md., is performing up to expectations, Hudson said. The JSF is being designed to replace a slew of aircraft in the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and the British Royal Navy and Air Force inventory. A key focus for JSF program officials is to make sure all the military services’ requirements are met and the program remains affordable to all countries involved, Hudson said. “There is an on-going effort to make sure we do that right and well,” he said. The program is likely to be worth more than $300 billion in domestic and international sales, with production potentially reaching 6,000 aircraft. Since Lockheed was awarded the $19 billion contract to development the aircraft in October 2001, eight countries have signed on to invest in the current phase of the program. Return to news coverage |
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Maj. Gen. John L "Jack" Hudson |
