'Invisible' JSF not ready until 2018

Posted on: Apr. 14th, 2008 || Source: theaustralian.news.com.au | E-mail Article | Print Article

THE air force will be able to start training on its new super-stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighters by 2013, although full operational capability will not be met for a further five years, aircraft maker Lockheed Martin has revealed.

In a push to stem rising concern about the future of the aircraft, which is yet to go into full-scale production, senior company officials, including Lockheed's chief test pilot, yesterday sought to reassure Canberra that the JSF was still the best aircraft for the RAAF's strategic air combat needs.

Costing up to $16 billion, it will also be Australia's most expensive defence purchase.

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