When you consider that the pilots that will fly the F-35 operationally “are 10 years old today,” said JoAnne Puglisi, team leader for JSF training systems, the project is extremely challenging. The increasingly fast pace of technology change, coupled with the expanding airpower training environment, means that a pilot-vehicle interface training system must allow seamless management and delivery capability through new techniques and media. From concept to support, the program depends on a baseline of components that can be customized to various needs, Martin said, including USAF’s distributed mission operations. —Marc Schanz
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.