A delegation from the United States F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) visited Australia last month to meet with Australian Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Division staff to discuss the future roll out of the global JSF sustainment system.
The visiting delegation included JPO’s Director of Logistics and Sustainment, Mr Todd Mellon, who addressed the Canberra-based JSF Integrated Program Team (IPT) staff to provide an update.
“On the whole, the F-35 Program is in good shape. From now until 2020 we are going to increase production from around 35 aircraft to 160 aircraft per year – which is almost one aircraft per working day which demonstrates how the F-35 Program is maturing,” said Mr Mellon.
“Right now we are looking closely at how we are going to shape the global sustainment of the entire JSF fleet and how the F-35 Partners are going to fit into that model so we can provide the most affordable and available supply chain,” he said.
Australian JSF Program Manager, Air Vice-Marshal Chris Deeble said the JSF global supply chain is currently being developed and was the most forefront topic during the JPO visit to Australia.
“We are all working together to deliver the largest global Defence acquisition program in Australian Defence Force history. As one of nine worldwide Partners, Australia will be part of a global JSF supply chain which will operate differently to the way we have previously done business in sustainment,” said Air Vice-Marshal Deeble.
“As part of a global logistics system, Defence and Australian Industry will work closer than ever before to sustain the F-35 fleet in a new model which we are developing in consultation with RAAF, Australian industry and the US JPO,” he said.
During the visit, JSF Division staff, visiting JPO staff and Australian industry representatives discussed some of the key opportunities and challenges for sustaining of JSF aircraft.
“The visit went exceptionally well and has helped shape how we now plan and position Australia to be a key part of the regional and global JSF supply chain while also identifying what capabilities we need to look after here in Australia to maintain national security and capability,” said Air Vice-Marshal Deeble.
More information on the set up of JSF sustainment model will be available later this year.
The visiting delegation also attended the Hunter Defence Industry Conference in Newcastle where Mr Mellon was a guest speaker. At the conference, a panel of Defence and Industry representatives led a discussion on JSF industry participation and answered questions from the floor.
JSF Division is working with Air Force, Defence industry and the United States F-35 JPO to deliver a first class sustainable and affordable air combat capability to the Australian Defence Force.