US report questions new MoD fighter aircraft viability

Scotland on Sunday can reveal America’s Government Accountability Office (GAO) has told Congress the viability of the new Joint Strike Fighter is “in question”.

The GAO, equivalent to the UK’s National Audit Unit, has warned that for the JSF to go ahead it will require “unprecedented levels of funding”.

The report raises questions over whether the JSF, already $15 billion over budget, will ever make it to the decks of the UK’s carriers.

The Lockheed Martin JSF is a joint project between Nato’s allies. The success of the project relies on orders from the US. If the US Government decides to pull out of the project then the UK will have to explore other options.

One possibility would be the MOD ordering a different, possibly technically inferior aircraft, such as the Boeing F18 super hornet.

The GAO report noted how far over budget the project had gone and raised difficulties with the sophisticated, computerised weapons systems and stealth capabilities.

“Development of the critical mission systems that give the JSF its core combat capabilities remains behind schedule and risky,” the report said. “To date, only 4 per cent of the mission system requirements for full capability has been verified.”

Crucially it then raised doubts whether the JSF could be produced in large enough numbers. It noted that last year 30 aircraft were supposed to be ready for sale but only nine had been produced and each one of those was at least a year late.

The report said: “The long-stated intent that the JSF programme would deliver an affordable, highly common fifth generation aircraft that could be acquired in large numbers could be in question.”

It suggested that if the project were to succeed, governments would have to dig deep into their pockets at a time of austerity.

“As the JSF programme moves forward, unprecedented levels of funding will be required during a period of more constrained defence funding expectations overall.”

The report rang alarm bells at Westminster. Labour Dunfermline and West Fife MP Thomas Docherty, a member of the House of Commons Defence Committee, said: “This report highlights serious concerns with the JSF and underlines that the UK Government needs to work closely with the US and other allies as well as Lockheed Martin to sort this project out.

“It is vital for the UK’s future defence strategy and the Government have to get it right and we need to see progress being made particularly with the carrier versions.”

Yesterday, a leaked MOD document raised fears that ministers are about to perform an embarrassing U-turn by ordering an inferior class of JSF jets for the new aircraft carriers to save money.

Labour wanted to buy the jump jet version of the Joint Strike Fighter, but the Coalition decided to go for the catapult-launched carrier version.Since then, the cost of fitting catapults have spiralled.

Ministry of Defence papers seen compare the two planes in a range of military scenarios and find the carrier version more effective in most cases.

An MoD spokesman said: “We are currently finalising the 2012-13 budget and balancing the Equipment Plan.

“As part of this process we are reviewing all programmes, including elements of the carrier strike programme, to validate costs and ensure risks are properly managed.

“Unsurprisingly the facts and technical details have matured significantly since any previous assessments of the JSF types.” of the project then the UK will have to explore other options.