Orlando, February 19, 2010—Air
Combat Command is re-examining the standing target date to field USAF’s first combat-ready unit of F-35A strike fighters given the recent changes to the F-35 program, Gen. William Fraser, ACC boss, told reporters at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium. “We are re-evaluating the IOC [initial operational capability] date and what our definition of that is,” he said. The current plan is to have the first operational unit in place in Fiscal 2013. Fraser did not say that date could not be met, even though the major restructure Pentagon leaders announced Feb. 1 would essentially extend development by about 13 months and slow production ramp-up. But, he said, “I think it’s incumbent upon me … to take a look at that.” Continue
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
