"RAND Europe -- National Security Research Division."

"This research was undertaken ... jointly by RAND Europe and the International Security and Defense Policy Center of RAND's National Security Research Division"--Preface.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-152).

Introduction -- Airframe FACO and Airframe MR&U -- Potential Sites for JSF FACO or MR&U in the United Kingdom -- Cost Assessment -- Results of Cost Analysis -- JSF Technology-Transfer Issues -- Conclusions -- Appendix A: Site Questionnaire -- Appendix B: Production Gaps and Restarts.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) of the United Kingdom has selected the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as a replacement for its Harrier aircraft and may buy up to 150 JSF aircraft. This report seeks to inform the MOD about the overlap of final assembly and repair, assess the suitability of four UK aerospace companies as potential sites for final assembly of its JSF aircraft, identify the costs associated with such an undertaking, and look at any potential concomitant technology transfer implications. The authors found significant overlap in the two tasks in question, and their analysis allowed them to estimate the costs of various options. They determined that three of the UK sites would be suitable after additional investments and capability development, varying according to site. They concluded by asserting that the technology-transfer issues need to be addressed as soon as possible.

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