The Joint Strike Fighter

The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a multi-role aircraft to be used primarily in the ground attack role. It is currently under development for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. The services plan to buy a total of 3,000 between 2005 and 2030; two-thirds for the Air Force, 640 for the Marines, and 300 for the Navy. The JSF would replace a variety of aircraft, including the Air Force's F-16 multi-role fighter, the Navy's A-6 long-range attack aircraft, and the Marine Corps' AV-8B Harrier jump jet.

PROGRAM COSTS – The total cost of the program has been estimated by the Pentagon at $153 billion, making it the most expensive weapons program ever developed. The average cost per aircraft was estimated at $73 million prior to the QDR. However, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the total cost may be as high as $223 billion.

PROGRAM STATUS – The JSF is still in the preliminary design phase with Lockheed Martin and Boeing each under contract to design and build competing models. DoD will make the final selection of the prime contractor in 2001.

CDI RESOURCES

CDI's Weekly Defense Monitor

• Congress Mulls JSF Program Volume 4, Issue #19, May 11, 2000.
• GAO Recommends Delay in JSF Program Volume 4, Issue #12, March 23, 2000.
• What Next for the Joint Strike Fighter? Volume 3, Issue #7, February 18, 1999.

OTHER RESOURCES

• GAO: "Joint Strike Fighter Acquisition: Development Schedule Should Be Changed to Reduce Risks," NSIAD-00-74, May 9, 2000. GAO Report
• GAO: "Joint Strike Fighter Acquisition: Development Schedule Should Be Changed to Reduce Risks," T-NSIAD-00-132, March 16, 2000. Congressional Testimony

LINKS TO RELATED SITES

• DoD's Joint Strike Fighter Program Homepage
• The Federation of American Scientists' JSF Fact Sheet
• Lockheed Martin Corporation's JSF Homepage
• Boeing Corporation's JSF Homepage

For more information, e-mail Christopher Hellman.

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