From 2009 release:

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has been awarded a research and development contract for the Counter Air / Future Naval Capabilities (CA/FNC) program to develop technologies that can be incorporated into next generation air-to-air missile systems

This is not the same as “developing a new motor” let alone getting it qualified for test, or even necessarily building a prototype for ground test. It’s $10 million of lab-scale work.

And you will note that the lawsuit seems to be of later date than the optimistic we’ve-got-this-sorted-no-worries Flight story. Certainly at Paris this year the Raytheon folks were not very happy with ATK.

Meteor and (if they do it) the Rafael AAM based on David’s Sling/Stunner will be the top-end AAMs until the early-to-mid-2020s.

Because we all know that there is no difference whatsoever between Russia and the West when it comes to signal processing and low-noise electronics, and the US Navy are goofballs dedicated to the destruction of the F-35 and have no better reason to make IRST a rather important piece of their Super Hornet development path. And if a dedicated, scanning IRST can’t see an Su-35, other than tail-on, at more than 35 km, how much use is a wide-angle, staring sensor going to be?

FYI Rover is a later-block upgrade. It is needed but the customers can’t afford to add things to an already late and over budget program. Until it is there its absence is a serious crimp on the ability of the jet to perform the main Marine mission.

Again, the fact that everything doing CAS has been Rover-equipped tells a story.

Exactly! Using a Rover-equipped TDP is the preferred method for integration in most cases. Doesn’t make your earlier blanket statement that “no non-US systems employ it” any less wrong.

Indeed, if the Marines were serious about getting F-35 into the CAS role they could push to bolt on a pod, but that makes the wonderjet look bad.

VN – If the Marine goal is to replace Hornets soon, one early-IOC squadron is an expensive way to not get very far.

This is the logic of a six year-old throwing a $hit-fit because the Schwinn bike daddy promised didn’t arrive quite in time for Christmas. Never mind that his friends had to make due [sic] with plastic big-wheels from the drug store, they at least got their’s [sic] on the *scheduled IOC date*.

Thanks for that penetrating insight, Loo. Exactly what is the factual point there? To be persnickety, Schwinns and Big Wheels respond to different mission requirements, anyway.

Phased introduction of capabilities is a good thing and makes for a healthy program if properly planned. (The F-22 underscores the importance of the last three words.) The Raf and EF customers wanted basic air combat (with realistic weapon load) first and could wait for A2G.

The USAF primary mission is stealth attack with some self-defense, which they might get in 3I. The Marines’ primary mission is CAS, which, pace Spudman, now requires Rover in almost all instances because it is a proven means of reducing blue-on-blue.

No, it didn’t exist when the JSF KPPs were written, but that does not mean that it is not essential now. If you’re going to spend 15-20 years in development and have no adaptability to changes in the tactical environment, you’re doing it wrong – and most aircraft can be adapted to Rover by upgrading the TDP.

Thanks – couple of comments…

Honeywell developed and produces the F-35’s power thermal management system. Additionally, Honeywell is a provider of the F-35’s life support system.

The PTMS is out of Phoenix, AZ. The OBOGS is UK-built.

MBDA produces the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), which can be installed within the weapons bay and on external wing stations of the aircraft. MBDA is also working with Lockheed Martin and the U.K. Ministry of Defence to integrate the Meteor missile into a future upgrade of the U.K.’s F-35 fleet.

Nice try but the net effect of JSF on MBDA is likely to be negative.

I still think that 15 per cent is a high number (unless someone’s counting the EW system), if only because UK-domiciled industry has no involvement in main propulsion, mission avionics (aside from the laser and the EOTS), LO systems and coatings or primary cockpit displays. If those areas are 40 per cent of the price (that’s a guess) then UK would have to be making a quarter of the rest (60/15).

Chandleresque wisecracking in the style of Philip Marlowe.

+1 internetz to MC