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Canada joined the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter team in February in a decision signaling growing international support for the JSF program. The decision enables Canada to influence elements of the JSF design as the program enters the System Development and Demonstration phase. Joining the program opens doors for Canada’s industries to participate in the development of advanced technologies that are hallmarks of the JSF program.
Canada represents the first international JSF commitment outside the United Kingdom. “Canada strengthens the global nature of the program and further validates the concept of the F-35 as a highly interoperable, common defense asset for multiple allies,” said Dain M. Hancock, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.
To Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin JSF executive vice president and general manager, this international participation also contributes to economies of scale that will keep the JSF affordable over the life of the program, both in flyaway costs as well as in support costs. “Our best-value approach means Canadian in-dustry will not only join the Lockheed Martin industrial team but will also contribute to maintaining the viability of the JSF program,” said Burbage.
Other countries currently considering participation in the JSF program include the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Denmark, and Turkey. The JSF is expected to provide the backbone of the world’s multirole fighter infrastructure for the next thirty to forty years.
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