IAA has already started making wings.

https://www.f35.com/news/detail/israel-aerospace-industries-signs-contract-with-lockheed-martin-to-produce

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/11/06/Factory-for-F-35-wings-inaugurated-in-Israel/9381415307311/

IAI is on contract with Lockheed Martin to manufacture 20 pairs of F-35 wings. Under a memorandum of understanding, production will increase to a total of 811 wings.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/11/06/Factory-for-F-35-wings-inaugurated-in-Israel/9381415307311/#ixzz3Scg89qkA

Having a single source for any one part is rare and would be reckless if done in a widespread manner.

The only time it is used is when the cost of having multiple suppliers for a single component would be cost-prohibitive.

Even the F135 has several suppliers for each of it parts.

sure, just check “mission systems” part of your attached image Spud… besides…

seems that some others have noticed it

So “postponed 2/3 of the program tests” becomes “just look at a small subset of the tests”?

When you look at ALL the testing planned and added, they postponed only 2.2%… yeah.. earth-shattering. :very_drunk:

Sure they did.

Confirmation that this “6th” gen fighter development project is NOT a F-35 replacement.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/strike/2015/02/01/6th-gen-fighter-strategy/22597515/

The Navy and Air Force have offices looking at a next-generation fighter that would replace the Navy’s F/A-18s and the Air Force’s F-22s, respectively. An Air Force official told Defense News in September that he hopes to have Milestone A acquisition activity started in fiscal 2018.

btw, Milestone A is as follows:

http://acqnotes.com/acqnote/acquisitions/milestone-a

To reach Milestone A, you must:

A Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) or Major Automated Information Support (MAIS) may not receive Milestone A approval until the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) certifies, after consultation with the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) on matters related to program requirements and military needs, to the following, without modification, from 10 USC 2366a, as amended by Public law 111-23, “Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009″, May 22, 2009: [1]

For MDAP at Milestone A, the MDA must certify in writing to the Congress that the Department has completed an Analysis of Alternative (AoA) consistent with study guidance developed by the DCAPE, in addition to meeting other certification criteria (10 U.S.C. 2366a).

We are a long way away from Milestone A for a 6th gen fighter.

Along with a new engine, I see composites being used as load-bearing structural components as a major area where a 6th gen plane can save weight. The biggest advancement in composites has been in the area of CNRP (Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Plastic). The F-35 is the first fighter to use CNRPs in non load-bearing structural components. While the timing of CNRP & the F-35’s development did not allow for load-bearing use of CNRP, I see the 6th gen airframes as the first real opportunity for this application.

Here you can see where most of the internal structure is Aluminum on the F-35.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]235012[/ATTACH]

CNRP use on the F-35:
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lockheed-martin-reveals-f-35-to-feature-nanocomposite-357223/

Here is how Composites compare to traditional components in aircraft mfg.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]235013[/ATTACH]

There are two main drivers that lead to the F-35 IOC slide to the right, complexity and economic pressures.

The escalation of award to IOC times is not unique to US fighters.

The Rafale and Eurofighter both suffered from the same issues.

Good catch on the SDB2 part.

Considering it’s just a fit check, why not do it all at once? They have done other Block4 fit checks, most notably the JSM from Norway.