Defence accepts first F-35A deployable cabins

Defence has accepted the first two of 15 F-35A deployable cabins critical to successful Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) operations from Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA).

The cabins are part of the deployable information systems capability for the F-35A and will now be deployed to support Australian operational testing and evaluation activities.

Project Director Support Systems Group Captain (GPCAPT) Guy Adams, of JSF Division, said the Commonwealth’s formal acceptance of the deployable cabins on November 13 was vital for the full operation of Air Force’s F-35A aircraft.

“The cabins will be a critical part of operating and maintaining Air Force’s new fighter aircraft whenever they are deployed away from their squadrons at RAAF Bases Williamtown and Tindal,” GPCAPT Adams said.

“All 15 cabins will provide transportable, secure workspaces for ADF personnel to support F-35A operations and maintenance activities.”

The cabins were manufactured by Varley Group in the Hunter region of NSW, which handed them over to LMA on March 8 for technology fit-out at Williamtown.

Australia currently has 10 F-35A aircraft operating at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, US. The first Australian aircraft are on schedule to be ferried to Williamtown in December for permanent basing at No. 3 Squadron.

Head JSF Air Vice-Marshal Leigh Gordon said more than 330 F-35 aircraft were in operation globally with over 165,000 flight hours logged.

“This is a strong indication of the maturity of the US-led program,” he said.

View source version on Australian Government Department of Defence: http://www.defence.gov.au/casg/NewsMedia/News/first_f35A_cabins