The last of 26 Air Force F-35A strike fighters slated for delivery to the F-35 joint schoolhouse at Eglin AFB, Fla., joined the 33rd Fighter Wing there. “The arrival of AF-45 is an incredible milestone for the Air Force as we move closer to F-35A initial operational capability in 2016,” said 33rd FW Commander Col. Todd Canterbury in a June 2 base release. “Having our full end strength grants our pilots and maintainers more flexibility in training, and that flexibility lets us advance the F-35 program at a faster rate than ever before,” he added. In addition to the 26 Air Force jets, the schoolhouse currently hosts 12 Marine Corps F-35Bs, and six Navy F-35Cs, wing spokeswoman 1st Lt. Hope Cronin told Air Force Magazine on Wednesday. With the two Dutch F-35As and three British F-35Bs, Eglin currently boasts 49 strike fighters. The Navy plans to get another nine F-35Cs by next spring, bringing the F-35 fleet there close to the 59-aircraft limit imposed by Eglin’s current permitting, noted Cronin.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.