Joint Strike Fighter - the Martin-Baker story so far...
Stephen D Roberts, Martin-Baker, Higher Denham. UK
Martin-Baker has been involved with the programme since Feb '96 when it was known as the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme. JAST gave way to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme, starting with the Concept Demonstration Phase (CDP).
Martin-Baker successfully completed the development of an off-the-shelf seat during CDP for one of the prime contractors, leading to the installation of flight seats in two experimental aircraft.
Having initially worked with all prime contractors, Martin-Baker experienced the entire JSF down-select process at close hand. This process has led to the winner, Lockhead Martin, being selected for the next phase of the programme - known as System Development & Demonstration (SDD).
The JSF SDD programme requirements have been some of the most demanding to address, requiring innovative solutions, without introducing any inherent programme risk.
As the largest defence acquisition programme in history, the JSF programme will re-shape the aerospace industry as a whole, as it is a truly multi-national undertaking and, quite possibly, JSF is the last new manned fighter.
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