The F-35 steering committee—the acquisition leaders for the 11 partner countries—will meet in Norway this week to wrestle with maintenance and sustainment issues, government and industry officials said. On the agenda in Oslo are the Autonomic Information Logistics System (ALIS), plans for standing up overseas depot maintenance capabilities, spare parts distribution, and engine service, as well as planning for delivery of foreign aircraft over the next couple of years. Air Force acquisition chief William LaPlante will represent USAF interests at the event.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…