The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as a model defense acquisition program? Contesting values and policy

The Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF, is a fighter jet airplane being developed for the US Navy, Air Force and Marines in cooperation with eight partner countries. This acquisition strategy is unique. There is no other example of a US major prime contractor co-developing and co-producing a US combat aircraft with foreign countries. The program is based on a complex arrangement of stakeholders with sometimes clashing priorities. The current Department of Defense international acquisition strategy considers international armament cooperative programs to be the future of weapons systems acquisition strategies. This type of strategy poses some very significant security and ethical challenges for the US. Consequently, the consideration of the JSF program is an excellent way to evaluate the US security and ethical challenges associated with an international acquisition strategy. This paper seeks to analyze the JSF program and how it affects US and partner security, political and economic interests and the possible ways to improve the JSF program. These issues are relevant because future US weapons acquisition programs will be directly affected by the success or failure of the JSF program. The potential benefits of this program could improve future US acquisition programs if it can successfully overcome the program's potential negative consequences. Conversely, serious unresolved problems could severely impact the JSF program, the national security of the US and its partners, future defense cooperation, and alliance relationships. The paper will identify barriers that are caused by US policy/law and JSF program acquisition strategy. The paper will conclude with recommendations intended to improve the JSF program and future international armament programs.