Reportedly from Janes today:
BAE Systems chief calls for study into JSF alternative
Guy Anderson Editor
BAE Systems Chief Executive Mike Turner has called for the UK to launch a study into the feasibility of using naval variants of the Eurofighter Typhoon as an alternative to the JSF, adding that he believes it is "quite possible".
Issues concerning the UK's access to technology relating to JSF remain unresolved, although Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson said he is "optimistic" that there will be a "satisfactory" conclusion by the end of 2006.
THE UK should fund a study into the feasibility of a naval variant of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft as a potential alternative to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), BAE Systems Chief Executive Mike Turner said.
Speaking before the UK parliamentary Defence Committee, Turner said that it was "quite possible" to "navalise" the Typhoon, but stressed that "it is not what we would recommend".
The "Joint Strike Fighter is the right aircraft", he added.
Turner said that the possibility of a naval variant of the Typhoon had been "considered" by BAE Systems, but he also said: "We need a study into the feasibility of navalising Typhoon. While we know that it is possible, we believe the MoD [Ministry of Defence] needs to fund a study into costs and what it would involve."
Turner's comments during the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) inquiry - held in London on 28 February - came as the technology transfer demands and issues of sovereignty relating to the programme remain unresolved, and questions remain as to whether the UK will commit to the next phase.
In January this year it was revealed that the UK MoD will not sign the Production, Sustainment and Follow On Development (PSFD) memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the JSF with the US "without achieving the appropriate level of sovereignty" over its technology.
Furthermore, General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, vice-chief of the defence staff, told the UK in the Business of Defence conference in London on 7 February that it was "inconceivable that the IAB [the MoD Investment Approvals Board] will approve an aircraft where we cannot be utterly clear that we know enough about its technological make-up to be assured of all matters about safety, or that we should be able to operationalise it to run intensive and varied operation from the carrier, or that we can be able to modify or update our needs throughout its life."
Speaking after Turner at the DIS inquiry, UK Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson moved to reassure the committee, saying: "I expected this to be resolved satisfactorily for us by the end of the year. I am optimistic and that is not naïve optimism. It is based on experience."
The UK will make a decision before the end of the year as to whether it will sign the PSFD MoU with the US, a move which will commit the country to procuring a certain number of aircraft (currently estimated to be 150 units at a cost of GBP10 million [USD17.4 million]). To date, the UK's contribution to the programme has remained fixed at USD2 billion for the current system development and demonstration phase.
France - which announced in January that it had formally agreed to invest GBP100 million into the UK's CVF project with a view to adapting the design for its own new-generation carrier (PA2) - is looking to equip its version of the vessel with an aviation force of Rafale-Ms.
The UK, armed forces minister Adam Ingram said in October, has "no plans" to consider the aircraft, despite speculation to the contrary.
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© 2006 Jane's Information Group
I wonder what they think they will get for their 10 million GBP a copy??