In unveiling its “stealthy” F-15 Silent Eagle concept on March 17, Boeing did not make any direct comparison between the level of low observability achievable with the Silent Eagle and the level of stealth of the Lockheed Martin F-35. Nor did Boeing comment on the F-35’s level of stealth. Instead, says Boeing spokesman Damien Mills, the company was trying to make the point that the Silent Eagle could meet the level of stealth approved by the US Government for release to international customers. We have amended our original coverage of the Silent Eagle to reflect Boeing’s points. (See Stealth Eagles plus Not Keeping Silent)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
