Lockheed Martin officials have laid down the “sign-up-now” or “get-less-later” gauntlet for countries considering buying Joint Strike Fighters. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia is one of the countries that might face increased costs down the line. The Herald reports that Australia wanted to wait until 2008 to make a formal commitment, although it has indicated it would buy up to 100 of the new fighters and has set aside $15 billion. Australian Minister of Defense Brendan Nelson told the Sydney newspaper that Australian officials “would not sign up to an agreement unless we are satisfied we have all the information we need and it was in Australia’s interests.”
Billy Mitchell: Lessons a Hundred Years Hence
Dec. 16, 2025
Exactly 100 years ago, on Dec. 17, 1925, Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell was convicted by court-martial for violating an order that required approval before he could engage with the media. Mitchell’s provocative thoughts and unorthodox methods sought attention for a cause that he saw as uniquely American.
