Fergie's Tech Blog

Britain to Cancel Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Orders Over Source Code?

Rob Beschizza, with Michael Ansaldo and David Becker on Gear Factor:

Britain may drop its interest in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in favor of a naval variation of the Typhoon. Ministers were urged Friday to develop a "plan B" should program heads in the U.S. refuse to hand over the source code to the Harrier replacement's computer systems.

The JSF, or F-35, has been under development by the U.S. and Britain for about a decade, but the code, needed to maintain an independent maintenance program, has become grit in the gears for the major partners in the $140m program. Furthermore, some claim the Typhoon, second only to the U.S.'s F22 Raptor in capabilities, could be rigged to cover the JSF's naval-heavy intended role. Britain intends to buy about 150 aircraft to replace its aging Harriers.

posted by Fergie @ 12/11/2006 09:53:00 AM