Posted on 12/12/2011 7:16:26 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Japan likely to pick F-35 fighter - Nikkei
(Reuters) - Japan is likely to pick Lockheed Martin's (LMT.N) F-35 fighter jets to replace its ageing fleet of F-4 Phantom fighters, Japanese media reported on Tuesday, reaffirming strong security ties with the United States.
The government will choose between two U.S. models -- the F-35 and the Boeing (BA.N) F/A-18 Super Hornet -- and a European third contender, the four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon, at a meeting of the national security council on Friday, the Nikkei business daily said.
Analysts say the purchase is potentially worth $8 billion.
The F-35 or Joint Strike Fighter, the most expensive of the three, leads the others due to its "overwhelmingly superior performance" and stealth capabilities, the newspaper said.
Once the selection is made, the government plans to deploy four new jets in fiscal 2016, with the number expected to rise to between 40 and 50, the Nikkei added.
"Lockheed Martin has not been officially notified of a decision by the Japanese Ministry of Defense regarding the F-X competition," a Lockheed spokesman said in response to the report.
"The F-35 bid offered by the U.S. government and Lockheed Martin meets all of the F-X requirements, while providing affordable 5th Generation capability and significant industrial value to Japan," the spokesman said by email.
The Pentagon's F-35 program office also said it had not received any word from Japan on its decision.
Japan originally showed interest in the F-22 Raptor, the top-of-the-line U.S. stealth fighter also built by Lockheed Martin, but U.S. legislators have banned its export.
The radar-evading F-35 is often touted as the second-best choice in the U.S. arsenal after the F-22, but marketers pitch the F-18 and Eurofighter as strong alternatives. Both fly on two engines, considered an advantage in long missions over sea.
(Excerpt) Read more at in.reuters.com ...
“Will provide industrial VALUE”
They’ll purchase off-the-shelf, then...?
Article did not say. :(
Any idea what that means?
Probably this should say something-
Lockheed to offer F-35 work to Japan firms to win bid
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/06/business-us-lockheed-japan-idUKTRE7951ZD20111006
However a lot of reports say that the two other bidders (Boeing and EADS) are offering more lucrative industrial partnerships.
It is an AWESOME A/C ... I WANT ONE!
TT
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