The impact on the US's troubled Joint Strike Fighter program is still to be known but Mr Beazley said Australia was sticking to its consignment of 14 aircraft.
He said the Australian government will keep a close eye on the program and will take action should any risks develop.
"The Australian government will not permit an air capability gap to grow."
No risks there. None at all:
-Paper-thin weight margins in all three variants
-Unknown fatigue (they don't know what they don't know)
-Buffet which affects…
-The faulty helmet which cannot use…
-DAS (including replacement helmet does not offer full ORD functionality with DAS)
-Because of the helmet system failure (partly influenced by buffet in the heart of the combat envelop), weapons cannot be cued with the helmet including the gun.
-Airframe stress at Mach
-Flight limitations (dive limits) because fuel inerting can’t catch up.
-Associated lightning hazard
-Heat problems with the flight displays
-Cannot be flown at night.
-F-35C tailhook requires airframe redesign
-Wing rib replacement for A and B model
-Bulkhead problem with B model
-Various power-train issues with STOVL B model
-Fuel dumping unacceptable and requires a redesign
-Post flight logistics/maintenance data-link takes 30 minutes to download 1G of data. (1 sortie?)
-Severe limits in automated logistics management, (doesn’t fit into USAF skills training scheme), various components in the system (deployable server kits and other connectivity) do not work reliably.
-Production immature because of so many issues that are not figured out yet.
-Thermal issues affecting avionics and other systems.
-IPP (core system) has significant reliability flaws
-Many problems not expected to see proper resolution until 2016 at the very earliest.
-Leading to loss of defence deterrent for U.S. and allies
-Significant damage to worldwide industries
