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Doing Business with Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Contractors 

The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program is a very large (in excess of US$300 billion), long term international program involving nine partner countries and a new approach to military aircraft development. Due to the complex nature and requirements of the program, the Australian Government facilitates work opportunities with JSF contractors for Australian companies through several Industry Capability Teams (ICTs). However, there is no guaranteed work share and Australian companies need to be active team players in order to be involved.

Opportunities for SMEs and large Australian companies will arise throughout different stages of the JSF Program Schedule. As opportunities near, potential companies must be able to demonstrate they can meet the schedule and deliver cost and weight savings through production where required. They also need to have ISO 9001:2000, AS9100 or equivalent quality accreditation. 

Australian companies must have US Export Licensing Agreements in place in order to receive the information necessary to bid for and complete contracts. Capability familiarisation visits to/from the US are used to help inform the issuing of RFIs and RFPs, and JSF contracts are awarded on a competitive "best value" basis, involving eight key criteria:

  • Sound technical approach
  • Solid management approach
  • Responsive to schedule
  • Supportable and smart
  • Acceptable levels of risk
  • Incorporating Tech Refresh roadmaps
  • Backed by proven track records
  • Affordability focused

In addition to addressing the above requirements and best value criteria, the Australian companies that have been successful to date have had a strong customer focus (meeting requirements and proposing solutions), the appropriate technological expertise and infrastructure, and a long term outlook involving a willingness to invest in the future and build on relationships to capture successively larger opportunities.

Australian companies, especially SMEs, should also consider issues such as exchange rate risk (most banks can advise on hedging products), production capacity (one aircraft per day at full production), expansion finance, and their approach to non-recurring expenditures.