"Kevin Brooks" wrote in message
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"hobo" wrote in message
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In article ,
John Cook wrote:


With JSF, the US forces will have a block approach:
* Block 1: basic capability with JDAM and AIM-120
* Block 2: more refined mission software, more weapons certified
* Block 3: 100 per cent of mission software, all the hardware
certified

I can understand not wanting to sell TURKEY or even Israel top of the
line equipment, but if we can't trust Oz and the UK then we should just
say screw it and go home.

It is not so much a matter of not trusting/allowing them access to
technology as it is a matter of it being a spiral development effort. The
first US aircraft will be Block 1, followed by Block 2, then ultimately
Block 3; spiral development gets the aircraft into service earlier, albeit
without it having its ultimate capabilities realized. As more capabilities
are realized, they are incorporated into the production blocks. If it were
a
*trust* issue, why is the *US military* also going to have Block 1 and 2
aircraft serving in our own forces?

The indication is not that it is a "when you buy it" issue (otherwise
countries would have the option of delaying or staggering purchases), no
specif reason is given by the US ambassador, but he does indicate that there
is a full "US only" version and a lite version.

The fact that the US military will also operate some lite versions does not
change the fact that nobody outside the US will get to operate the full
version.

As I recall the F16/79 did not sell real well, it will be interesting to see
how the JSF lite goes.