F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program：Background

CRSReportforCongressPreparedforMembersandCommitteesofCongressF-35JointStrikeFighter(JSF)Program:BackgroundandIssuesforCongressJeremiahGertlerSpecialistinMilitaryAviationSeptember23,2010CongressionalResearchService7-5700(JSF)Program:BackgroundandIssuesforCongressCongressionalResearchServiceSummaryThelargestprocurementprogramintheDepartmentofDefense(DOD),theF-35JointStrikeFighter(JSF),alsocalledtheLightningII,isanewaircraftbeingprocuredindifferentversionsfortheUnitedStatesAirForce,MarineCorps,andNavy.CurrentDODplanscallforacquiringatotalof2,456JSFs.HundredsofadditionalF-35sareexpectedtobepurchasedbyseveralU.S.allies,eightofwhicharecost-sharingpartnersintheprogram.TheF-35promisessignificantadvancesinmilitarycapability.Likemanyhigh-technologyprogramsbeforeit,reachingthatcapabilityhasputtheprogramaboveitsoriginalbudgetandbehindtheplannedschedule.Theadministration’sproposedFY2011defensebudgetrequestedabout$6.8billioninprocurementfundingfortheF-35JointStrikeFighter(JSF)program.Thiswouldfundtheprocurementof23F-35AsfortheAirForce,13F-35BsfortheMarineCorps,andsevenF-35CsfortheNavy.Theadministration’sproposedFY2011defensebudgetalsoproposedterminatingtheF-35alternateengineprogram,whichisintendedtodeveloptheGeneralElectric/Rolls-RoyceF136engineasanalternativetothePrattandWhitneyF135enginethatcurrentlypowerstheF-35.TheF-35alternateengineprogramhasemergedasamajoritemofdebateontheFY2011defensebudget.FY2010defenseauthorizationact:TheconferencereportontheFY2010defenseauthorizationactauthorizesfundingforprocuringatotalof30F-35sinFY2010,asrequested.Thereportauthorizes$430millioninAirForceandNavyresearchanddevelopmentfundingforcontinueddevelopmentoftheF136alternateengine,and$130millioninAirForceadvanceprocurementfundingtobeginF136procurement.Section131oftheactrequiresareportontheprocurementof“4.5”-generationfightersthatistoinclude,amongotherthings,“adiscussionregardingtheavailabilityandfeasibilityofprocuringF-35aircrafttoproportionallyandconcurrentlyrecapitalizetheAirNationalGuardduringfiscalyears2015throughfiscalyear2025.”Section217requiresfutureDODbudgetstoprovideseparatelineitemsfortheF-35BandF-35CwithintheNavyaircraftprocurementaccountandtheNavyresearchanddevelopmentaccount.Section244requires,fortheperiod2010-2015,anannualGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO)reportonthestatusoftheF-35program.FY2010DODappropriationsbill:TheexplanatorystatementonthefinalversionofH.R.3326includes$6,840.5millionfor30F-35sin2010.Additionally,thestatementcontains$430millioninNavyandAirForceresearchanddevelopmentfundingforcontinueddevelopmentoftheF136alternateengine,and$35millioninAirForceprocurementfundingdesignatedforthealternateengineprogram.LatestDevelopments:OnSeptember16,2010,theSenateAppropriationsCommitteefunded32F-35s,10fewerthantheAdministrationrequested.ThereportontheHouse-passedversionoftheFY2011defenseauthorizationbillincludedlanguagelimitingprocurementto30F-35spendingcertificationthattheF-35hadachievedcertaintestingparameters.TheSenateArmedServicesCommittee-reportedversionofthebillrequiredsimilar,butdifferentachievements,butdidnotwithholdfunding.F-35JointStrikeFighter(JSF)Program:BackgroundandIssuesforCongressCongressionalResearchServiceContentsIntroduction................................................................................................................................1InGeneral.............................................................................................................................1AlternateEngineProgram.....................................................................................................1Background................................................................................................................................2TheF-35inBrief..................................................................................................................2InGeneral.......................................................................................................................2ThreeServiceVersions....................................................................................................3AlternateEngineProgramSummary.....................................................................................4JSFProgramOriginandMilestones......................................................................................5ProcurementQuantities.........................................................................................................7PlannedTotalQuantities.................................................................................................7AnnualQuantities...........................................................................................................7ProgramManagement...........................................................................................................8CostandFunding..................................................................................................................9TotalProgram