Программа JSF сильно отстает от графика, но её руководство всё ещё надеется закончить разработку самолета к 2013 году.
US Joint Strike Fighter Behind Schedule, Costs Swelling: Report
Agence France-Presse | Mar 16, 2007
Costs for the Joint Strike Fighter, a new generation of attack aircraft for the U.S. armed forces and its allies, have swollen 12 percent per aircraft, according to a U.S. government report March 15.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also said the program for the U.S. Department of Defense’s target to acquire 2,400 JSF jets by 2027 is well behind schedule and should be slowed to avoid rushing through flight testing and other development processes.
”Total JSF program acquisition costs (through 2027) have increased by 31.6 billion dollars,” the GAO said, meaning a 12 percent cost hike per aircraft from 2004 estimates.
The JSF program proposes to replace several different earlier-generation aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps with the new Lockheed Martin-produced X-35.
GAO noted the program has experienced delays in starting the flight test program, delivery of the first development aircraft, and the testing of critical missions systems.
”Despite these delays, the program still plans to complete development in 2013, compressing the amount of time available for flight testing and development activities.”
GAO proposed limiting production targets to only 24 X-35s per year “until each variant’s basic flying qualities have been demonstrated in flight testing.”
But it noted that the Defense Department opposes adjusting the current schedule.
Besides the orders for the U.S. military’s own needs, some 2,000-3,000 JSFs have been tentatively ordered by other countries.
Nations taking part in the JSF program include Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Turkey, Denmark, Norway, and Australia.
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