UK buys first 3 JSFs

The UK has kept to it's word and ordered it's first 3 F-35B JSFs (Joint Combat Aircraft JCA in UK parlance) for initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) work. The aircraft should be delivered in 2011 and will be drawn from the third initial production batch. The aircraft will be assigned to a joint test team in the USA, maybe joined by the 2 aircraft the Dutch have also ordered. The UK is expecting to spend £2 billion on this initial testing phase.