[umichguy]

Take the case of F-35, the only country which has source codes apart from the U.S. is the UK. A very special exemption. They are also the only Tier 2 partner.

Everybody else has basically a black box of code given to them in terms of code for the aircraft.

[imtringued]

The exported F-35 should be treated as leased aircraft. Owned by the bank but you're paying for it.

[TeMPOraL]

Welcome to Weapon Platforms as a Service. We can provide you with the newest toys at a bargain price, but you can't modify anything, and we reserve the right to remotely brick the hardware whenever we like. Because what else you're going to do? Spend many years and billions of dollars on building your own? While your neighbor just leased 20 fighters from us?

/s.

[nradov]

The UK is the only Tier 1 customer. There are multiple Tier 2 customers.

[umichguy]

My bad - got it mixed up.

[xeromal]

Kind of a sweet spot to be in. We sell you these fancy jets and if you decide to invade us, we flip a switch and they fall out of the sky. lol

[meirdavis]

More like if you decide to do a mission that we don't like we won't let you start the aircraft. The F-35s call home all the time to the US.