The Joint Combat Aircraft programme is the project to replace the capability provided by the Royal Navy's Sea Harriers and the Royal Air Force's GR9 and T10 Ground attack Harriers.
Joint Combat Aircraft [Source: MOD]
Service - Navy, RAF
Requirement and Background
A key element of the UK’s defence policy is to maintain credible, flexible, expeditionary combat power within striking range of an adversary. The Carrier Strike programme will do just that. It will include two new aircraft carriers and crucially the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) thus ensuring that our military have the ability to launch air power from both land and sea at a time and place of our choosing. This will maximise our political and military freedom of action, even when access, basing and overflight may be uncertain.
On a through life basis, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project has been assessed as having the best potential to meet the JCA requirement. Design and development of a three variant family of JSF aircraft and associated Autonomic Logistics systems to meet the requirements of USAF, USN, USMC and UK Joint Forces commenced in 2001 following signature of a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the US and UK Governments and the start of the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase.
Close up of the Joint Combat Aircraft [Source: MOD]
The selection of Lockheed Martin as the JSF air system prime contractor included a ‘teaming arrangement’ with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems to collectively form Team JSF. An integrated, but separate, propulsion contract was awarded to Pratt and Witney (P&W) for the F135 engine, with sub contractor work for Rolls Royce including a substantive new lift fan engine development.
Whilst other partner nations have since joined the programme at Level 2 and 3 entry arrangements, only US and UK requirements drive the SDD baseline solution. In 2002, the UK selected the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant to meet the JCA requirement and on 13th December 2006 signed the Production, Sustainment and Follow-On Development (PSFD) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US.
JCA will be the key to our precision strike capability and our ability to make significant contributions to future coalition operations. Our ability to identify and attack high-value, time sensitive targets will depend upon JCA’s combination of advanced sensors and low observability. Interoperability with our partners will be essential and will depend upon the aircraft being integrated, upgraded, operated and sustained efficiently and effectively by the UK.
JCA is a transformational military capability, using transformational collaborative acquisition. As a model for international collaboration, the programme is highly innovative. But as well as rewards, innovation brings challenges. We are determined to meet those challenges, particularly as we enter the PSFD phase of the project.
![Joint Combat AIrcraft [Source: MOD]](GenerateThumbnail.aspx?imageURL=/NR/rdonlyres/F9CD8F1B-8666-479F-B5F3-A6CC797B3E6A/0/JCA_Inflight2_800x640U.jpg&maxSize=210)
Joint Combat Aircraft [Source: MOD]
Costs
The total procurement cost (including research and development) of JCA is dependant on the timing and number of aircraft to be purchased and no final decisions have been taken. Subsequent costs will be determined by whatever through life support strategy we decide to adopt.
In Service Date to be set when production contract is let.
Quantities - Current planning assumes a requirement for up to 150 JCA.
Commercial Aspects
The SDD contract with Lockheed Martin was signed in October 2001. Its overall value is some $41Bn. This is the total US development contract cost, to which the UK will contribute $2Bn.
UK industry has extensive involvement in the JSF programme. BAE Systems is teamed with Lockheed Martin while Rolls Royce is involved in providing items of propulsion equipment. Other elements of the UK aerospace industry will also provide key components for the JSF.
A prime contract has also been awarded to Pratt and Whitney to develop the main engine for JSF (F135). An interchangeable engine (F136) is being developed by General Electric and Rolls Royce, as a downstream competitive alternative to the F135.
Joint Combat Aircraft Pilot and Helmet [Source: MOD]
International Collaboration
The UK is the only Level 1 partner with the US in the SDD Phase of the JSF programme. Other international partners at Levels 2 and 3 are the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Canada, Norway, Australia and Turkey.
Future Contracts - At the present time, direct contracts from the UK are not envisaged. However, companies might consider contacting Lockheed Martin or lower tier JSF contractors such as BAES who may be interested in their capabilities.