The Australian Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program as a whole is firming up as it moves from low rates of initial production into higher rates of production.
Australian JSF Program Manager, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Chris Deeble says that the global F-35 program is making solid and steady progress.
“The two Australian aircraft have now completed around 185 hours of flying and are part of the pool of F-35As at the F-35 International Pilot Centre at Luke AFB, Arizona,” AVM Deeble said.
Director of Logistics and Sustainment from the F-35 United States Joint Program Office, Mr Todd Mellon, visited Australia last month and said the program is progressing well.
“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,” Mr Mellon said.
“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.
The F-35s are being produced under an Operational Test and Evaluation Model. Air Vice- Marshal Deeble said under this process the aircraft are tested and assessed for their design, performance and supportability in realistic operational conditions.
“This model reduces risk over such a large acquisition Program such as JSF where there will be over 3000 aircraft produced. By using this model it also means that issues are identified, addressed and resolved along the way,” AVM Deeble said.
“Now the Program is increasing rates of production and development is getting further along, there is more stability in the program. We are seeing some important milestones being achieved.”
The first two Australian aircraft are due to be ferried to Australia in 2018.