US Air Force's next attack aircraft will likely grow out of the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) program. The end of the Cold War and defense budgetary constraints caused Washington to limit fighter aircraft production. However, some services would eventually need certain new aircraft as present ones are predicted to last just until 2010. Two required airplanes, a 'high-end' stealthy strike jet and a 'low-end' multirole fighter, seemed to make it doubly hard for top officials. JAST program offerred a solution with the development of a 'parts catalog' of non-platform-specific components, such as radars, engines, weapons, avionics, and other expensive items, from which aircraft designers could select basic materials to outfit aircraft for diverse missions. Washington set a goal of 80% commonality between the airplanes. The aircraft need not look alike because they will need different capabilities. With JAST, the Navy could have its stealthy strike airplane, the Air Force its multirole fighter, and the Marines a replacement for the old AV-8B Harrier jump jet, all at minimum development costs.
