The Pentagon is reviewing the acquisition strategy for the Joint Strike Fighter. The original plan was "'winner takes all" with the winning contractor building all of the planes. Now, there is Congressional concern that whichever company loses the competition could be out of the fighter business forever, deeply damaging the US industrial base. One option is to pick a winning design but have both competitors build it. Another option would allow both competitors (Boeing and Lockheed Martin) and Northrop Grumman to build planes. If more than one producer is selected, there will be annual bids with the low bidder getting a larger share of the production for that year. --Stephen V Cole