The Canadian government is still trying to sort out the way ahead for its F-35 purchase. But it could be that the decision will ultimately be made in Washington, DND sources have told Defence Watch.
Previously, the Canadian government determined it would receive the F-35 during peak production – the so-called “sweet spot’’ that Defence Minister Peter MacKay and others have repeatedly talked about. That was to be 2016, according to DND and government officials. According to Mr. MacKay and others, the “sweet spot” is the year the jets are to achieve their peak production rate, thus coming off the assembly line at their lowest cost. Over the last year DND officials have extended the “sweet spot” to include a wider range, expanding the period to focus on 2016 to 2021.
But in a March 29 report sent to Congress, the Pentagon’s plan for near peak production rates for the Lockheed Martin jet is now set for 2018. In that year, U.S. F-35 program officials say they will be able to purchase 110 jets, according to a recent article by my colleagues at Defense News. By 2021, the production rate will hit 130 jets, which includes versions for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
So from that congressional report it appears that the “sweet spot” has moved from the original 2016 to at least 2021.
But there are concerns that the peak F-35 production year could shift even further. And Defense News is reporting that there are serious concerns within the U.S. Air Force and Navy about whether they will be able to afford the number of aircraft projected to be bought around 2020 and the years following.
Late in the decade, around 2018, the Air Force and Navy are expected to have a number of expensive programs enter production such as the USAF KC-46A tanker aircraft now in development. Defense News also lists other examples such as a new rescue helicopter and bomber. Will the U.S. be able to afford the F-35 at a high production rate around the same time or could the U.S., and ultimately the Canadian, “sweet spot” slip further because of budget issues in the U.S.?
Original Article
Source: ottawa citizen
Author: David Pugliese
Previously, the Canadian government determined it would receive the F-35 during peak production – the so-called “sweet spot’’ that Defence Minister Peter MacKay and others have repeatedly talked about. That was to be 2016, according to DND and government officials. According to Mr. MacKay and others, the “sweet spot” is the year the jets are to achieve their peak production rate, thus coming off the assembly line at their lowest cost. Over the last year DND officials have extended the “sweet spot” to include a wider range, expanding the period to focus on 2016 to 2021.
But in a March 29 report sent to Congress, the Pentagon’s plan for near peak production rates for the Lockheed Martin jet is now set for 2018. In that year, U.S. F-35 program officials say they will be able to purchase 110 jets, according to a recent article by my colleagues at Defense News. By 2021, the production rate will hit 130 jets, which includes versions for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
So from that congressional report it appears that the “sweet spot” has moved from the original 2016 to at least 2021.
But there are concerns that the peak F-35 production year could shift even further. And Defense News is reporting that there are serious concerns within the U.S. Air Force and Navy about whether they will be able to afford the number of aircraft projected to be bought around 2020 and the years following.
Late in the decade, around 2018, the Air Force and Navy are expected to have a number of expensive programs enter production such as the USAF KC-46A tanker aircraft now in development. Defense News also lists other examples such as a new rescue helicopter and bomber. Will the U.S. be able to afford the F-35 at a high production rate around the same time or could the U.S., and ultimately the Canadian, “sweet spot” slip further because of budget issues in the U.S.?
Original Article
Source: ottawa citizen
Author: David Pugliese
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