cmyr
12-15-2006, 04:09 PM
The multi-billion dollar Anglo-American Joint Strike Fighter has successfully completed its maiden test flight.
A full production version of the F-35 stealth fighter took off from an airbase in Texas earlier on Friday.
The $276.5bn (£140bn) project, the world's most expensive military programme, will supply the armed forces of the US, UK and other countries.
Britain's BAE Systems is a major player in the project, which is being led by US defence giant Lockheed Martin.
BAE has pumped $2bn into the project, with the UK expected to take delivery of 138 fighters.
However, the US will account for the lion's share of the planes, with 2,400 in service by 2027.
A spokesman for Lockheed Martin said the fighter had "landed safely" after a 40-minute test flight over Texas.
Military planners had hoped the jet would complete its first full test flight on Monday, but bad weather delayed the exercise.
The single-engine, supersonic fighter, each of which will cost in the region of $45m, is designed to replace the US's aging F-16s and F/A-18 Hornets.
In Britain, a jump-jet version of the F-35 will be deployed by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
UK involvement in the project had looked increasingly doubtful earlier this week following a dispute between London and Washington over British access to technical details of the Joint Strike Fighter.
British defence chiefs had been under pressure not to commit to the project unless the US released details allowing the UK to operate the jets independently.
However, the US agreed on Tuesday to share key details on the fighter with British counterparts
Along with the US and Britain, the F-35 is being co-financed by Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey.
F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER
The JSF is a supersonic stealth aircraft
Built to replace F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and Harriers
Each plane costs approximately $45m
Variations include one for aircraft carriers and a jump-jet
Possible weapons are 'smart' bombs, air-to-air missiles and the UK's Storm Shadow cruise missile
Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2006/12/15 21:40:16 GMT
A full production version of the F-35 stealth fighter took off from an airbase in Texas earlier on Friday.
The $276.5bn (£140bn) project, the world's most expensive military programme, will supply the armed forces of the US, UK and other countries.
Britain's BAE Systems is a major player in the project, which is being led by US defence giant Lockheed Martin.
BAE has pumped $2bn into the project, with the UK expected to take delivery of 138 fighters.
However, the US will account for the lion's share of the planes, with 2,400 in service by 2027.
A spokesman for Lockheed Martin said the fighter had "landed safely" after a 40-minute test flight over Texas.
Military planners had hoped the jet would complete its first full test flight on Monday, but bad weather delayed the exercise.
The single-engine, supersonic fighter, each of which will cost in the region of $45m, is designed to replace the US's aging F-16s and F/A-18 Hornets.
In Britain, a jump-jet version of the F-35 will be deployed by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
UK involvement in the project had looked increasingly doubtful earlier this week following a dispute between London and Washington over British access to technical details of the Joint Strike Fighter.
British defence chiefs had been under pressure not to commit to the project unless the US released details allowing the UK to operate the jets independently.
However, the US agreed on Tuesday to share key details on the fighter with British counterparts
Along with the US and Britain, the F-35 is being co-financed by Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey.
F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER
The JSF is a supersonic stealth aircraft
Built to replace F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and Harriers
Each plane costs approximately $45m
Variations include one for aircraft carriers and a jump-jet
Possible weapons are 'smart' bombs, air-to-air missiles and the UK's Storm Shadow cruise missile
Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2006/12/15 21:40:16 GMT