Aircraft
For Britain, the F-35 Represents Good Value
For an initial investment of less than $2.5 billion, the UK got Level One status in the F-35 program.
BAE Systems test pilot Peter "Wizzer" Wilson puts the F-35 through ski jump evaluation in preparation for UK aircraft carrier service. [Photo: Lockheed Martin]
BAE Systems test pilot Peter "Wizzer" Wilson puts the F-35 through ski jump evaluation in preparation for UK aircraft carrier service. [Photo: Lockheed Martin]

The British have done pretty well out of the F-35 so far. They signed up as the only Level One partner and contributed about £1.7 billion ($2.47 billion at current exchange rates) for development, or about 10 percent of the total as originally envisaged. That gave them a seat at the top table, when all the requirements were set. It also put them in prime position for workshare, with BAE Systems getting all the rear fuselages, and UK industry an overall 15 percent share.