Posted on 12/10/2006 7:26:38 AM PST by Axlrose
Ministers have been urged to scrap the multi-billion-pound Joint Strike Fighter project unless the US agrees to share its sensitive technological specifications.
Sky Defence Correspondent Geoff Meade says the UK badly needs a replacement for the ageing Harrier - whatever it gets called.
Although the Falklands veteran jump jet has proved valuable beyond its years, flying mission after mission in support of ground troops in Afghanistan, the fierce tempo of operations is taking a toll on the lifespan of ageing airframes.
The problem is nobody knows yet if the new US-designed jet will be bought, or even what it will be called.
America designates it the F35, Lightening Two and Joint Strike Fighter. Britain prefers Joint Combat Aircraft. For simplicity why not name it the New Harrier?
We've already spent £1bn towards development, and the 138 aircraft we might buy would involve a pocket-stretching £70bn.
It is intended to equip two planned new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, both yet on the drawing board and budgeted at over £3bn.
So as the deal looks vulnerable, what's at stake is an awful lot of money and Britain's centuries-old ability to project power at sea.
But why is America falling out with her closest ally? It's all about what's called "technology transfer and operational sovereignty".
Like any state-of-the-art platforms, modern aircraft depend on computer software to perform. Indeed the RAF's Eurofighter Typhoon only achieves its astonishing agility by being inherently unstable in design and depending on massive computer power to make microscopic adjustments to the control surfaces every millisecond to stay airborne.
So ultra-secret computer codes are key to how the New Harrier performs, fights, arms, and adapts to changing missions and climates - even whether it can be repaired.
But the American government fears EU employment laws guaranteeing freedom to work to citizens within the union means this information could leak to a rival foreign power.
They'll sell Britain and other European partner nations the aircraft. But the planes would either have to return to the US for any adjustments, or await a team to arrive from the Fort Worth, Texas factory.
Eurofighter Typhoon For the RAF and Royal Navy, proud of their ability to adapt and adjust and repair on the frontline, this would be unacceptable. It might even make the New Harrier not worth the massive price tag.
So what is the "Plan B" Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson floated a year ago.
We already have a formidable and modern combat aircraft. It's called the Typhoon.
The high-level interceptor's been fiercely criticised as being a cold-war leftover we can ill afford, with nothing to contribute to the sort of war being fought in Afghanistan. Almost before it's entered service, its makers and the RAF are rushing to adapt the delta-wing fighter to a ground-attack role.
If it could also be configured to fly from the new carriers, it would do much to rid it of a reputation for redundancy.
The cost would be phenomenal. The whole airframe would need strengthening. But that would take up some of the jobs lost if the New Harrier was abandoned.
Britain is already committed to buying more than 200 Typhoons. Diverting some to a maritime role could be portrayed as cost effective.
Or it could all be a negotiating ploy aimed at making the Americans divulge their "crown jewel" computer codes - or risk losing their biggest ever arms export contract.
We certainly shouldn't trust them with future SLBM programs.
Well they're shouldering part of the (massive) development costs, so let's not be too quick to bid "goodbye" to our closest ally on an important project.
This question about computer source code has been going on for awhile -- the last I heard it was on its way to being resolved. Perhaps this reporter is just trying to stir the pot by saying there's a serious controversy when there really isn't -- I could be wrong, but I think newspapers have done this from time to time.
What the heck are you talking about? The Brits are a great ally and we're lucky to have them join us on important defense programs -- the world is a better place when the US and UK work together.
Is the EU a great ally as well ?
Do you love everyone ?
Your snarky comment actually makes a good point. I agree that EU countries other than the UK present a large, obvious security risk. It's my understanding that the security clearance process in the UK can manage this risk (just like we manage the risk in the US with our security process, under which we don't grant access to any non-citizen).
agree, Today's allies may be tomorrows enemies
True, but not relavant to the point. The job of both the Trident II and the JSF are to deliver ordinance, so the comparison is valid when viewed in that context.
'The Brits keep forgetting their place in the world'
And you think America will always be number one?.....
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