Source: Pentagon to Kill Air Force F-35 Version

Published: Nov 19, 2005
Source: today.reuters.com



WASHINGTON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - The Pentagon is seeking to cancel the Air Force version of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) F-35, the world's biggest fighter program, a leading defense consultant said Friday.

Gordon England, acting deputy secretary of defense, "is pushing to eliminate one of the three aircraft versions, and the Air Force version is his preferred kill" as a short-term economy measure, said Loren Thompson, citing discussions with senior Pentagon and industry officials.



Thompson is chief operating officer of the Arlington, Virginia-based Lexington Institute, a research group with close ties to the defense establishment.

Loss of the Air Force variant would be a blow to Lockheed which expects to export that version, in particular, for decades to come.

Eight countries have joined the United States to co-develop the F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter. With a projected total program cost of more than $250 billion, it involves what would be the Pentagon's most expensive acquisition to date and a symbol of international cooperation.

The co-development partners are Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.continue..