Look, jackjack.
LM designs and produces the aircraft.
Once, the design is over and LM produces tools and exports them according to workshare table to partner countries, the production can start.
Not exactly how it works. Lockhead releases a specification for a part (lets say the engine), subcontractors, in this case the PW team and the RR team submit designs. These designs are then the property of those teams and are built on tooling belonging by those teams. That is the situation for pretty much every part of the aircraft except for parts the Lockhead specifically developed themselves. Even half the fuselage is being built by BAe from memory.
In the meantime, what will Australia test?
Australia doesn’t even have software authorization.
Nothing until 2014. You don’t need access to the software to develop doctrine for the use of the platform.
What spares? F35/F135 aren’t even ready yet.
How can Australia build infrastructure when LM didn’t put the plane together yet? What are the specifications?
F135 is ready, it is powering all F35’s currently flying. Development of the F135 will continue throughout the lifetime of the aircraft.
Initial Production standard versions of the F35A are flying, so you are wrong there as well.
Infrastructure may range from replacement of current hangers, upgrading to hard stands, anything that is needed “dirtside” to support F-35. These things can all be done now.
As for weapon integration. It’s LM job, not Australia’s. LM even integrates Israel’s equipment. Does Australia have any indigenous weapons for F35?
Lockhead may carry out the integration, however the integration has to be paid for by the people who want the weapon integrated. For example, the UK might want to integrate meteor, they then have to pay for that integration.
Once you answer these questions you’ll see that testing & infrastructure is academic point, at best.
Is it?
Just look what happened with F35B and jet blast deck problems for Marine’s assault carriers. Is Australia going to rebuild infrastructure again, once the actual F35A rolls out of factory?
The “Actual” F35A has already rolled out of the factory.
Don’t ask me…
I didn’t.
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