Air Combat Command plans to declare initial operational capability for the modernized A-10 today during a ceremony at Langley AFB, Va. The “new” Warthog—the A-10C—has received “the most significant modifications” in the 30-year history of the A-10 close air support aircraft, according to an ACC announcement. The mods include full sensor integration to provide the Hogs the ability to identify and strike targets from a higher altitude and greater distance with no loss in accuracy and upgraded communications.
It'll take up to 18 months for Lockheed Martin to deliver the 100 or so F-35s that went directly from production line to storage, awaiting the completion of Tech Refresh 3 testing. Customers haven't complained about the order in which the backlog is being delivered.