F-22s and F-35s are training together with T-38s, F-15Es, and F-16s, at Tyndall AFB, Fla., in an exercise aimed at bridging the gap between fifth generation aircraft and the Air Force’s legacy fleet. In addition to the fighters, B-52s and E-3 AWACS are participating in the week-and-a-half long Checkered Flag 16-1 exercise on the Florida coast, according to a 325th Fighter Wing release. “This exercise is a building block,” said Col. Joseph Kunkel, vice commander of the 325th FW and commander of the exercise. “We are at the very beginning of the integration of F-22s, F-35s, and fourth-generation aircraft. What this does is lead us to the next step and that next step is to be extremely lethal in combat.”
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design the Air Force said.