ADVERTISEMENT

Now It’s 2016

March 12, 2010

Pentagon weapons czar Ash Carter said Thursday the Air Force now expects to have its first F-35 strike fighter unit available for operations sometime in 2016, an apparent modification of the recent estimates put forth by Air Force leaders. Briefing Senate lawmakers on the F-35 program’s status (see It’s Official above), Carter said the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy went back to reassess their definitions of initial operational capability in the wake of the program’s restructure. Having done that, their projected IOC dates are now: Marines, 2012; Air Force, 2016; and Navy 2016. Carter said DOD intends to stand up the first F-35 training squadron in 2011 and deliver the first production aircraft to the Marines in 2012, Air Force in 2013, and Navy in 2014. F-35 operational testing is now set to start in January 2015 and run through April 2016. (Carter’s prepared remarks)

Related Content

Kadena Sends ‘Message You Can’t Ignore’ with Huge Elephant Walk

May 9, 2025
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…

New Study: Air Force Needs to Work Now on How to Sustain CCAs in the Field

May 8, 2025
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.

SPACECOM Wants to Be Dynamic in Orbit. The Question Is How

May 8, 2025
U.S. Space Command is still passionate about the idea of being able to maneuver satellites in orbits without worrying about conserving fuel. But how exactly to achieve that remains unsettled as the combatant command works with the Pentagon’s acquisition enterprise, SPACECOM’s deputy commander said. 

Pentagon Opening the Throttle on New Rules for Software 

May 8, 2025
The Department of Defense is pushing ahead with a plan to automate and streamline the system it uses to ensure that software running on military networks is secure, and will start implementation next month, acting Chief Information Officer Katie Arrington said May 7. 

New B-52 Radar Program Has Nunn-McCurdy Cost Breach, May Be Reduced in Scope

May 8, 2025
The B-52 Radar Modernization Program has incurred a Nunn-McCurdy breach, with a cost estimate increase of more than 15 percent, the Air Force said. A breach of that magnitude won’t require the Secretary of Defense to certify the program as critical to national defense, but the program may be reduced…

What the Supreme Court’s Transgender Ban Really Means

May 7, 2025
The Supreme Court's May 6 decision to grant the Trump administration's request to block a lower court's injunction means the Defense Department can resume separating transgender service members under a directive issued in February.