The Navy version of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, has completed its air system critical design review, paving the way for the carrier-variant to enter low rate initial production. In a Lockheed Martin release, Air Force Brig. Gen. C.R. Davis, JSF program executive officer, says, “Completion of this design review is a very significant milestone; the die is now fully cast for the unique, three-variant Joint Strike Fighter program envisioned when the planning began in the late 1990s.” The F-35C has larger wings and a more robust internal structure than the other two variants—the Air Force’s F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft and the Marine Corps’ F-35B, short takeoff and vertical landing version—to handle repeated catapult launches and arrested recoveries on a carrier deck. Lockheed has begun fabrication of the first production JSFs, two F-35A models.
NATO Scrambles Fighter in Newest Response to Russian Drones
Sept. 16, 2025
NATO scrambled its first fighter Sept. 13 under its new plan to bolster its defenses against Russian air incursions that was put into place after an array of Russian drones flew into Polish airspace last week, the officials from the alliance’s military command said.
