JSF F35 News: Brits Pissed, Japan Wants In

The Brits are (understandably) upset that the US doesn't want to share some of the software code in the new F35 JSF. This is especially annoying since the Brits have helped pay for quite a bit of it

British defence chiefs are furious over America’s refusal to share hi-tech secrets of a new radar-evading fighter jet that both countries are paying to develop.

The snub was seen last night as another blow to the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries at a critical time when President Obama is demanding more help from Britain in Afghanistan.

The row centres on the multi-billion pound development of Lockheed Martin’s futuristic new F-35 plane.

Meanwhile, Japan wants to replace their aging F4 fleet, and is leaning toward the F35

Japan's defense ministry is moving toward selecting Lockheed Martin Corp's (LMT.N) F-35 jet as the mainstay of its next-generation fighter force, Kyodo news agency reported on Monday, citing ministry sources.

The ministry, which is thinking of buying about 40 F-35s, plans to submit a request for their purchase in the fiscal 2011/12 budget, Kyodo said.

It added, however, that the ministry may postpone making the request for one year, due to a view in the government that the purchase should only be made when full details of the plane's capabilities are available.

Lockheed is developing three models of the radar-evading F-35 to replace at least 13 types of aircraft, initially for 11 nations.

By: Brant