§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Joint Strike Fighter's software architecture will allow for the integration of the Storm Shadow missile. [143330]
§ Dr. MoonieWhile the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) remains a strong contender to meet our Future Carrier Borne Aircraft requirement, no decision has yet been taken on its procurement.
The design of the JSF aircraft will allow for integration of weapons, throughout its life, and provision of a flexible software architecture to accommodate a wide variety of weapons will be a fundamental aspect of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase contract.
The competing contractors for the phase are aware of the UK's Storm Shadow needs should we select JSF, and therefore there is no reason to believe that the aircraft's software architecture would prevent integration of the missile.