According to RAdm. Steven Enwold, Joint Strike Fighter program director, the original first test flight date of Aug. 28 has shifted to sometime in October. He also reminded lawmakers at a Senate hearing Tuesday that the first production model to enter flight-testing will be somewhat heavier than later models.
The United States Air Force is flying less than historic norms and funding for acquisition and readiness is on a path to further hollow out this too small and old force to that is incapable of sustaining an enduring combat air campaign.

