Canada navigates purchase of U.S. stealth fighter jets

[YYZPICS]

Canada and the U.S. are in negotiations that could eventually lead to the multibillion-dollar purchase of the latest stealthy fighter the American arsenal has produced.

Canada and the seven other nations involved in the talks will likely be in a position to tell the Americans by the summer details on how many of the high-tech Joint Strike Fighters they will need and by when, an official with Lockheed Martin, the plane's manufacturer, said Thursday.

Canadian Defence Department and Lockheed officials stress that no commitment has yet been made to purchase the Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35. But several years ago, the Canadian government invested $150 million US into the aircraft program, one of the first nations to do so.


Full Story (http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=956525c9-570e-4ea5-9909-0377264f7358&k=84516)

[polishsausage248]

i dont know but this just seems wierd to me why would the USAF sell some ,of their best fight jets to canada?

[Simpleboy]

Cause the F-22 could shoot it down in a second if necessary?

[YYZPICS]

Because Canada is involved in the project....

[avro_arrow_25206]

DND Canada to Lockheed Martin:
"Umm... we can only afford 3/4 of a fighter. Is this arrangement possible?"

[Cam]

I would openly marry Lockheed Martin if I could...did I say that out loud?

A good replacement jet for the CF 18's.

DND Canada to Lockheed Martin:
"Umm... we can only afford 3/4 of a fighter. Is this arrangement possible?"

"Uhhh, can't we just have the engines and landing gear, the rest has to be made in Canada in accordance to our Heritage Policy devised by the retarded Liberals" ....did I say that out loud?? :-P

[chrisburns]

First off, Canada's aircraft will not have the same technology that the U.S. Aircraft has, we basically sell them the "base model" and we get the "full package" model.

[DAL767-400ER]

First off, Canada's aircraft will not have the same technology that the U.S. Aircraft has, we basically sell them the "base model" and we get the "full package" model.
Always keeping an advantage, just in case ;) ?

[Chris@YYZ]

WTF is the F-35? :skeptic:

Canada cant do anything right, so I doubt this deal will be an exception... :p

[DAL767-400ER]

WTF is the F-35? :skeptic:
The Joint Strike Fighter, the over-budget super-hyper-mega fighter jet that is the future for US military, for all areas of it, be it USAF, or USN, or whatever.

[Top_Gun]

WTF is the F-35? :skeptic:
:p

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-35.htm

I'd be shocked that Canada would invest that much into this. They seem to be cutting back their military units due to budget retraints.

I believe so far there is nothing but mock ups. When I talked to one of the LM guys at the Nellis airshow, he thought production would start later this year.

[YYZPICS]

http://www.afa.org/magazine/april2003/0403F35_2.jpghttp://www.afa.org/magazine/april2003/0403F35_3.jpg
http://www.afa.org/magazine/april2003/0403F35_4.jpg

[avro_arrow_25206]

I'd be shocked that Canada would invest that much into this. They seem to be cutting back their military units due to budget retraints.


It really isn't as much as you think:


United Kingdom (signed 17 Jan 2001 for $2B)
Italy (signed 24 Jun 2002 for $1B)
Netherlands (signed 17 Jun 2002 for $800M)
Turkey (signed 11 Jun 2002 for $175M)
Canada (signed 7 Feb 2002 for $150M)
Australia* (signed 31 Oct 2002 for $150M)
Denmark (signed 28 May 2002 for $125M)
Norway* (signed 20 Jun 2002 for $125M)

We're pretty much on par with Denmark, Norway, and Australia. I think they're merely keeping the foot in the doorway. I don't believe they are going to replace those mostly 20+ years old CF-18 any time soon.

[ptbodale]

Replace the darn Herc's first.

[Top_Gun]

[QUOTE=YYZPICS]http://www.afa.org/magazine/april2003/0403F35_2.jpg


I guess it would only make sense that they would have some of their test models flying if they won the right to mass produce. Should have thought of that fact prior to posting my comments :o

[Chris@YYZ]

The Joint Strike Fighter, the over-budget super-hyper-mega fighter jet that is the future for US military, for all areas of it, be it USAF, or USN, or whatever.

I thought the JSF was X-32 or something :skeptic: ah, whatever.

[seventwo]

I thought the JSF was X-32 or something :skeptic: ah, whatever.
A bunch of companys enterd a competition, 2 finalists built planes, the Boeing X-32 and Locheed the X-35 that won,now its the F-35.

[medic1]

Would be interesting to see Canada invest in a next generation fighter, but I am skeptical that they will.

Recent history hasn't exactly proven Canada to be overly concerned with their air force capabilities.

Aren't they just in the process of doing a huge electronics upgrade on the hornets anyway?

[Chris@YYZ]

A bunch of companys enterd a competition, 2 finalists built planes, the Boeing X-32 and Locheed the X-35 that won,now its the F-35.

ahhhhhh, yeah, I remember now, thanks :)