Jagerflyet F-35 Lightening II(Foto:Lockheed Martin)

JSF-spesialist  Johan Boeder briefet nylig medlemmer av  den nederlandske  forsvarskomiteen .  Den nederlandske regjeringen  vurderer fortsatt  JSF-prosjektet og valg av en ny testmodell av F-35A  Lightening II  selvom Nederland har utsatt beslutningen til etterb 2014 etter alle kostnadsoverskridelsene. Vi gjengir her Johan Boeders innlegg i det nederlandske Parlamentet i sin helhet pa engelsk.

Still technical problems

There are many technical problems with the engine, thermal management and electrical systems. But especially the softwaredevelopment is behind schedule. In 2008 Lockheed Martin promised "theacceleration of testing", but no result could be seen in 2009. Boederbased the facts in his presentation on U.S. reports, specifically  thecritical Annual Report 2009 of the Director Operational Test & Evaluation Pentagon on the JSF Program.

Behind  promised schedule

Meanwhile the JSF project, which started in 2001, is more than four years behind its original schedule. The cost is approximately 40% higher, which translates into a higher purchase price. "This, combined with budget problems in different countries", argued Johan Boeder,"leads to a deadly spiral of prices as higher prices lead to lower sales
numbers again. And vice versa. Finally, the prediction that 4.500 Joint Strike Fighters will be built, Johan Boeder sees as too optimistic, at most half of them will eventually be feasible.

Less revenue than expected

This results in significantly less revenue for the Dutch industry than originally promised. Boeder showed that several other countries have shifted to buying the JSF further forward, damaging The Netherlands position, where the RNLAF will have to buy  expensive aircraft from the early production series. The original promise that was the JSF would be "affordable" and cost only 75% per flying hour of an F-16 flight hour.
Meanwhile, according to Pentagon and US-GAO figures the operating costs
of the F-35 may be twice as high than expected in 2001. As a result, there is an increasing budget pressure. There is notsufficient budget to purchase the original planned number of 85 F-35'sand this means that more squadrons has to be abandoned.  Read more under  about Johan Boeders speech in the Dutch Parliament:

http://www.jsfnieuws.nl/wp-content/JSF11_DOTE2009-AnnualReportF35_Markup