Israel Chafes Over JSF: Israel may be on the verge of dropping the Joint Strike Fighter. Associated Press news service reports that the problem is the Israeli desire to be able to modify the new fighters. It has planned to purchase 100 JSFs, but it wants to apply upgrades, using its own technology, as it has done in the past with other US military aircraft, such as the F-15s and F-16s it has purchased. According to AP’s sources, the issue boils down to whether Israeli companies or American companies get the money. Remember that Israel was briefly frozen out of the project last year due to a dispute over Chinese arms sales.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…