A chief official involved in the F-35 aircraft programme has forecast the prospect of Joint Strike Fighter sales reaching the 6,000 mark, which would put the new technologically-advanced multi-role type up there among the most-produced combat jets in history.

The prediction - delivered by Brigadier General David Heinz, who heads the JSF programme - was rooted in the volume of current, fourth-generation fighter aircraft in present military service that air arms would need to replace in future years. These aircraft included the likes of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle which, between them, are used by operators including the USAF, US Navy, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Swiss Air Force.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Known as the Lightning II, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a US design, but eight other nations are also involved in its development - Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. Between them, these nine countries are anticipated to place orders for in excess of 3,000 JSFs, but this could swell as the likes of South Korea, Japan and Singapore look to advance their 21st century combat capabilities.

Heinz' comments were made to representatives of the media present at the 2009 Paris Air Show - an industry showcase event which runs until June 21st at Le Bourget airfield. At this event, Lockheed Martin made presentations to the eight JSF partner nations, in reference to the recent support that each had shown.

JSF Testing

The Royal Navy is set to receive examples of this aircraft in future years and, earlier this year, Britain pledged to take part in the JSF testing phase and to acquire three development airframes.

"If I take a look at the entire inventory of the world that are flying Harriers, F-16, F-15s and other fourth-generation airplanes, as those airplanes age out, I believe my airframe will be competitive", Heinz stated.

"As I get down the affordability curve, as we deliver a world sustainment product, I think F-35 will be very competitive in that, but I welcome the competition", he added, in response to a question regarding the possible impact of present fourth-generation fighter demand on his fifth-generation fighter .

A final point was the prospect of the JSF being implemented into the Japanese Air Self Defence Force, in light of US aircraft manufacturer Boeing's current export ban on the F-22 Raptor, which Japan had previously been keen on acquiring.

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