EAST Lancashire aerospace firms could benefit from Britain's plans to take part in a £67billion US project for a futuristic new combat aircraft.

Aerospace firm BAE Systems has won concessions over industrial participation in the American programme for the Joint Strike Fighter..

Baroness Symons, the defence procurement minister, is to visit Washington this week where she is likely to commit to Britain's £1.36 billion share of the aircraft's development costs.

The North West Aerospace Alliance today welcomed the move and said the project could produce orders for East Lancashire firms.

The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force could need 150 of the planes.

It will not affect the Eurofighter programme because they are looking at the JSF only to replace their ageing Harrier and Sea Harrier jump jets.

The agreement is expected to give Britain unprecedented involvement in both the building and choice of equipment and design of a US military aircraft -- and suggestions that some aircraft could be produced at BAE Systems' Warton plant in Lancashire will be discussed.

The news comes just a week after BAE bosses said they were considering "sizeable" job losses at Samlesbury and Warton.

John Whalley, chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance, said: "The announcement that the government is to spend on the Joint Strike Fighter Programme in addition to Eurofighter Typhoon is unsurprising.

"The JSF programme heavily involves BAE Systems. The two projects are complementary rather than competitive."