Analyzing the Multi-national Cooperative Acquisition Aspect of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program
Abstract
The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program is a cooperative acquisition program intended to design, develop, and produce a next-generation fighter that involves the United States and eight partner nations. Although the program is led by the United States, the participant nations cooperate to produce an affordable yet advanced aircraft by exchanging technology and information as well as investing in the program and receiving commensurate returns. The allied nations will then possess an advanced aircraft that they could not afford to develop on their own. To successfully execute this complicated aircraft program, the United States has implemented an unprecedented acquisition strategy that it envisages as a model for cooperation in future international programs. The best value approach, international partners' early involvement, and leveled program participation are salient features of this strategy. However, even with innovative approaches and strong management efforts, the program's unit cost has increased 50 percent since 2001, with schedule delays of 2.5 years. This report analyzes the JSF program's international cooperative acquisition strategy to determine the following: (1) whether the JSF acquisition strategy is a useful model for prospective acquisitions, and (2) the nature of Turkey's participation in the program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA514284
Entities
People
- Levent Ozdemir
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School