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Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
On October 26, 2001, the Defense Department selected Lockheed Martin's F-35 a
s the winner of the competition to manufacture the Joint Strike Fighter. Click
here for more information.
The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a multi-role fighter optimized for the air-t
o-ground role, designed to affordably meet the needs of the Air Force, Navy, M
arine Corps and allies, with improved survivability, precision engagement capa
bility, the mobility necessary for future joint operations and the reduced lif
e cycle costs associated with tomorrow’s fiscal environment. JSF will benefit
from many of the same technologies developed for F-22 and will capitalize on
commonality and modularity to maximize affordability.
The 1993 Bottom-Up Review (BUR) determined that a separate tactical aviation m
odernization program by each Service was not affordable and canceled the Multi
-Role Fighter (MRF) and Advanced Strike Aircraft (A/F-X) program. Acknowledgin
g the need for the capability these canceled programs were to provide, the BUR
initiated the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) effort to create the bu
ilding blocks for affordable development of the next-generation strike weapons
system. After a review of the program in August 1995, DoD dropped the "T" in
the JAST program and the JSF program has emerged from the JAST effort. Fiscal
Year 1995 legislation merged the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DA
RPA) Advanced Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (ASTOVL) program with the JS
F Program. This action drew the United Kingdom (UK) Royal Navy into the progra
m, extending a collaboration begun under the DARPA ASTOVL program.
The JSF program will demonstrate two competing weapon system concepts for a tr
i-service family of aircraft to affordably meet these service needs:
USAF-Multi-role aircraft (primarily air-to-ground) to replace F-16 and A-10 an
d to complement F-22. The Air Force JSF variant poses the smallest relative en
gineering challenge. The aircraft has no hover criteria to satisfy, and the ch
aracteristics and handling qualities associated with carrier operations do not
come into play. As the biggest customer for the JSF, the service will not acc
ept a multirole F-16 fighter replacement that doesn't significantly improve on
the original.
USN-Multi-role, stealthy strike fighter to complement F/A-18E/F. Carrier opera
tions account for most of the differences between the Navy version and the oth
er JSF variants. The aircraft has larger wing and tail control surfaces to bet
ter manage low-speed approaches. The internal structure of the Navy variant is
strengthened up to handle the loads associated with catapult launches and arr
ested landings. The aircraft has a carrier-suitable tailhook. Its landing gear
has a longer stroke and higher load capacity. The aircraft has almost twice t
he range of an F-18C on internal fuel. The design is also optimized for surviv
ability.
USMC-Multi-role Short Take-Off & Vertical Landing (STOVL) strike fighter to re
place AV-8B and F/A-18A/C/D. The Marine variant distinguishes itself from the
other variants with its short takeoff/vertical landing capability.
UK-STOVL (supersonic) aircraft to replace the Sea Harrier. Britain's Royal Nav
y JSF will be very similar to the U.S. Marine variant.
The JSF concept is building these three highly common variants on the same pro
duction line using flexible manufacturing technology. Cost benefits result fro
m using a flexible manufacturing approach and common subsystems to gain econom
ies of scale. Cost commonality is projected in the range of 70-90 percent; par
ts commonality will be lower, but emphasis is on commonality in the higher-pri
ced parts.
The Lockheed Martin X-35 concept for the Marine and Royal Navy variant of the
aircraft uses a shaft-driven lift-fan system to achieve Short-Takeoff/Vertica
l Landing (STOVL) capability. The aircraft will be configured with a Rolls-Roy
ce/Allison shaft-driven lift-fan, roll ducts and a three-bearing swivel main e
ngine nozzle, all coupled to a modified Pratt & Whitney F119 engine that power
s all three variants.
The Boeing X-32 JSF short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant for t
he U.S. Marine Corps and U.K. Royal Navy employs a direct lift system for shor
t takeoffs and vertical landings with uncompromised up-and-away performance.
Key design goals of the JSF system include:
Survivability: radio frequency/infrared signature reduction and on-board count
ermeasures to survive in the future battlefield--leveraging off F-22 air super
iority mission support
Lethality: integration of on- and off-board sensors to enhance delivery of cur
rent and future precision weapons
Supportability: reduced logistics footprint and increased sortie generation ra
te to provide more combat power earlier in theater
Affordability: focus on reducing cost of developing, procuring and owning JSF
to provide adequate force structure
JSF’s integrated avionics and stealth are intended to allow it to penetrate s
urface-to-air missile defenses to destroy targets, when enabled by the F-22’s
air dominance. The JSF is designed to complement a force structure that inclu
des other stealthy and non-stealthy fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance / su
rveillance assets.
JSF requirements definition efforts are based on the principles of Cost as an
Independent Variable: Early interaction between the warfighter and developer e
nsures cost / performance trades are made early, when they can most influence
weapon system cost. The Joint Requirements Oversight Council has endorsed this
approach.
The JSF’s approved acquisition strategy provides for the introduction of an a
lternate engine during Lot 5 of the production phase, the first high rate prod
uction lot. OSD is considering several alternative implementation plans which
would accelerate this baseline effort.
Program Status
The focus of the program is producing effectiveness at an affordable price—th
e Air Force’s unit flyaway cost objective is $28 million (FY94$). This unit r
ecurring flyaway cost is down from a projected, business as usual,cost of $36
million. The Concept Demonstration Phase (CDP) was initiated in November 1996
with the selection of Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Both contractors are: (1) de
signing and building their concept demonstration aircraft, (2) performing uniq
ue ground demonstrations, (3) developing their weapon systems concepts. First
operational aircraft delivery is planned for FY08.
The JSF is a joint program with shared acquisition executive responsibilities.
The Air Force and Navy each provide approximately equal shares of annual fund
ing, while the United Kingdom is a collaborative partner, contributing $200 mi
llion to the CDP. CDP, also known as the Program Definition and Risk Reduction
(PDRR) phase, consists of three parallel efforts leading to Milestone II and
an Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) start in FY01:
Concept Demonstration Program. The two CDP contracts were competitively awarde
d to Boeing and Lockheed Martin for ground and flight demonstrations at a cost
of $2.2 billion for the 51-month effort, including an additional contract to
Pratt & Whitney for the engine. Each CDP contractor will build concept demonst
rator aircraft (designated X-32/35). Each contractor will demonstrate commonal
ity and modularity, short take-off and vertical landing, hover and transition,
and low-speed carrier approach handling qualities of their aircraft.
Technology Maturation. These efforts evolve key technologies to lower risk for
EMD entry. Parallel technology maturation demonstrations are also an integral
part of the CDP / PDRR objective of meeting warfighting needs at an affordabl
e cost. Focus is on seven critical areas: avionics, flight systems, manufactur
ing and producibility, propulsion, structures and materials, supportability, a
nd weapons. Demonstration plans are coordinated with the prime weapon system c
ontractors and results are made available to all program industry participants
.
Requirements Definition. This effort leads to Joint Operational Requirements D
ocument completion in FY00; cost/performance trades are key to the process.
LockMart JSF Design - X-35
Boeing JSF Design - X-35
Specifications
Function strike fighter
Contractor two competing teams:
Lockheed-Martin
Boeing
Service U.S. Air Force U.S. Marine Corps
U.K. Royal Navy U.S. Navy
Variants Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) Short Takeoff and Vertical
Landing (STOVL) Carrier-based (CV)
Unit Cost FY94$ $28M $35M $38M
Propulsion Baseline: Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 derivative from F-22 Raptor
Alternate Engine: General Electric F120 core
Thrust
Empty Weight ~22,500 lbs ~24,000 lbs
Internal Fuel 15,000 lbs 16,000 lbs
Payload 13,000 lbs 17,000 lbs
Maximum Takeoff Weight ~50,000 lbs
Length 45 feet
Wingspan 36 feet 30 feet
Height
Ceiling
Speed supersonic
Combat Radius over 600 nautical miles
Crew one
Armament
First flight 1999
Date Deployed 2008
Inventory Objectives U.S. Air Force
2,036 aircraft U.S. Marine Corps
642 aircraft
U.K. Royal Navy
60 aircraft U.S. Navy
300 aircraft
Sources and Resources
Dave Hasting's JSF Page
Joint Adv Strike Tech Program FY98 R&D Budget Request
0603800N JOINT ADVANCED STRIKE JASTP FY98 R&D Budget Request
The Joint Strike Fighter Derek W. Avance; Christopher S. Ceplecha; Robert E. C
lay; Terry M. Featherston; David S. Grantham; Thomas E. Gregory (Faculty Advis
or); Patrick A. Kelleher; David Kelly; Thomas L. Moore (Faculty Advisor); Garr
y L. Pendleton; John Rupp; Christopher E. Yelder Air Command and Staff College
1996
JSF excerpts from House National Security Committee Report on House National D
efense Authorization Act for FY 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS June 23, 1998 The Joint Strike Fighter program o
ffice today announced today that Pratt & Whitney began ground testing the seco
nd of two developmental engine designs for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Conc
ept Demonstrator Aircraft (CDA).
Designing The Next Generation Strike Fighter Brigadier General Leslie Kenne, D
irector, Joint Strike Fighter Program Office [1500k PDF]
Boeing Refines Joint Strike Fighter Design February 4, 1999 - Boeing has taken
the next step in maturing the design for its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), impr
oving its affordability, supportability and performance capabilities while mai
ntaining the fundamentals of its original weapon-system concept.
Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrators slated to begin flying Air Force Pr
int News 24 May 2000 -- Competitors for the Air Force's newest multi-role airc
raft, the Joint Strike Fighter, will begin flying their concept demonstrators
in the next few months.
Joint Strike Fighter Acquisition Strategy, Boeing Press Release, 22 June 2000
-- Boeing supports today's Defense Department announcement confirming the curr
ent winner-take-all strategy on the Joint Strike Fighter competition.
Cohen: Joint Strike Fighter program must stay on schedule, Stars and Stripes,
24 June 2000 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen sent a letter to senior House
and Senate lawmakers Thursday urging them to keep the funding and schedule for
the Pentagon's Joint Strike Fighter aircraft on schedule.
First Joint Strike Fighter lands at Edwards, Air Force Print News, 20 Septembe
r 2000 -- One version of the Joint Strike Fighter program made its first fligh
t early Sept. 18.
NAVAIR test pilot breaks new ground in JSF testing, NAWCAD Public Affairs, 26
October 2000 -- In what could be the one of the last "first flights" of a new
fighter program for a long time, Boeing chief test pilot Fred Knox piloted the
X-32 Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator on its first flight thrilling
none more than Navy Cmdr. Phil "Rowdy" Yates.
The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter X-35A successfully executed a series
of airborne refuelings during its 10th flight, demonstrating the aircraft's fl
ying qualities during refueling and paving the way for extended test flights.,
Air Force Print News, 15 November 2000 -- The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fi
ghter X-35A successfully executed a series of airborne refuelings during its 1
0th flight, demonstrating the aircraft's flying qualities during refueling and
paving the way for extended test flights.
Boeing X-32A begins simulated carrier-landing tests, Air Force Print News, 17
November 2000 -- The Boeing Joint Strike Fighter X-32A concept demonstrator ai
rcraft began field carrier-landing practice tests Nov. 15 to demonstrate flyin
g and handling qualities during low-speed aircraft carrier approach.
X-35A breaks sound barrier, Air Force Print News, 27 November 2000 -- With its
flight testing now complete, the X-35A returned to Lockheed Martin's nearby P
almdale, Calif., facility to be fitted with a shaft-driven lift-fan propulsion
system. It will be renamed the X-35B and will begin ground testing in prepara
tion for its short takeoff/vertical landing demonstrations.
Navy Variant of Lockheed Martin JSF Takes Flight, Lockheed Martin Press Releas
e, 16 December 2000 -- The United States Navy version of the Lockheed Martin J
oint Strike Fighter (JSF) demonstrator took to the skies on Saturday, Dec. 16,
initiating a flight-test program that will focus on carrier-suitable flying q
ualities and aircraft performance.
Boeing Completes JSF X-32B Engine Accelerated Mission Tests, Boeing Press Rele
ase, 15 January 2001 -- Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce today complete
d accelerated mission tests of the Joint Strike Fighter X-32B qualification en
gine at Pratt & Whitney's facility in West Palm Beach, Fla.
U.S., U.K. Sign Joint Strike Fighter Agreement Jan. 17, U.S. Department of Def
ense, 17 January 2001 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Rudy de Leon signed a U.S.-U
nited Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding on the joint strike fighter (JSF) wi
th Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, U.K. Minister of State for Defence Procure
ment, in a ceremony at the Pentagon January 17.
U.S., UK Defense Officials on Joint Strike Fighter Jet, U.S. Department of Def
ense, 17 January 2001 -- The United States and the United Kingdom signed an ag
reement on the Joint Strike Fighter military aircraft (JSF) at a ceremony Janu
ary 17 at the Pentagon.
Boeing Completes JSF X-32B Maximum-Thrust STOVL Engine Runs, Boeing Press Rele
ase, 08 March 2001 -- Boeing yesterday completed maximum-thrust engine runs in
the short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) mode on its Joint Strike Fight
er X-32B concept demonstrator, achieving a major milestone in preparation for
first flight.
Boeing JSF X-32B Completes Successful First Flight, Boeing Press Release, 29 M
arch 2001 -- The Boeing Joint Strike Fighter X-32B demonstrator today successf
ully completed its first flight, entering a four-month test program to validat
e the Boeing direct-lift approach to short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL
) flight.
Joint Strike Fighter Agreement Signed , DOD News Release, 06 June 2001 -- Offi
cials from Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) today signed a
n agreement to work together on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, to ass
ure that both companies' engines will be physically and functionally interchan
geable across all three variants of the JSF aircraft.
Joint Strike Fighter Homepage - Air Force
Lockheed Martin JSF Homepage
Boeing JSF Homepage
DOD News Briefing -- Joint Strike Fighter Development Selection - Nov. 16, 199
6
Joint Strike Fighter Armed Forces Journal International, February 1996
Politics could cloud fighter plane's future Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Jun 24,
1996)
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Originally Last Updated May 13, 2003 7:55:52 P.M.