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 U.S. military conducted strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, as the conflict with Iran flared up again—though officials say the ceasefire remains in effect.