According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is only weeks away from getting a name—final recommendations are being “closely guarded” by top Air Force officials. The paper reports that the Air Force did ask for options from the other military services and eight partner nations. The three prime purchasers of the new fighter all follow different naming themes. USAF favors birds of prey for its fighters, while the Navy has Tomcat and Hornet, and Britain’s Royal Air Force has Tornado and Typhoon.
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.
