- The Strategist - https://www.aspistrategist.org.au -
There are two paths you can go by (but in the long run...)
Posted By Andrew Davies and James Mugg on December 7, 2016 @ 14:30
‘… the F-35A is the only aircraft able to meet Australia's strategic needs for the foreseeable future, and that sufficient progress is being made in the test and evaluation program to address performance issues of concern.
[But] in light of the serious problems that led to a re-baselining of the F-35 program in 2012, and the ongoing issues identified by the United States Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the committee retains a healthy scepticism towards assurances by Defence regarding cost, schedule and capability outcomes of the F-35A.’
‘The committee recommends that the Department of Defence develop a hedging strategy to address the risk of a capability gap resulting from further delays to the acquisition of the F-35A. The strategy should be completed by 2018 and capable of implementation by 2019 at the latest.’
‘A fixed price contract for the aircraft should be negotiated with liquidated damages to be passed through the US Government to Lockheed Martin in the event that the company does not deliver in accordance with contracted performance or schedule.’
Article printed from The Strategist: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au
URL to article: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/two-paths-can-go-long-run/
[1] back in March: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/f-35-keep-calm-but-have-a-plan/
[2] its report: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/JointStikeFighter/Report
[3] recent program data: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/2017-usaf-budget-f-35a-price-and-production-schedule-update/
[4] harbor significant reservations: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pentagons-top-weapons-tester-doubts-f-35a-capabilit-428786/
[5] needs to be read in context: http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/pentagons-operational-test-evaluation-office-determined-17472
[6] in our submission: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/160219-ASPI-F35-submission.pdf
[7] open into the 2020s: http://www.defensenews.com/articles/kuwait-qatar-fighter-jet-deals-move-forward-likely-putting-boeing-fighter-jet-production-into-the-2020s
[8] already been delivered on: http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2016/11/08/jsf-announcement-to-create-defence-industry-jobs/
[9] Canada’s example: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/trudeaus-folly-canadas-new-interim-fighters/
[10] they haven’t: http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/trudeau-government-to-contribute-another-36-million-to-f-35-fighter-jet-program
[11] would almost certainly conclude: https://www.cdainstitute.ca/blog/entry/canada-s-fighter-replacement-what-will-the-field-look-like-in-five-years
[12] a lot of its own money: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/australia/wedgetail.htm