As futuristic aviation programs gain priority, the F-35—the only in-production, fifth-generation American fighter—is facing new headwinds. Fresh debate over its challenges and its potential in the coming months will shape its future role in the force. The House’s $150 billion...
Milestone C
As futuristic aviation programs gain priority, the F-35—the only in-production, fifth-generation American fighter—is facing new headwinds. Fresh debate over its challenges and its potential in the coming months will shape its future role in the force.
William LaPlante said there’s been “significant improvement” in the program over the last decade, and program leaders can now “focus on the future of the F-35, instead of the past.”
WORLD: USAF Fighter Mix Changing at Kadena; $9 Billion in F-22 Updates; CCAs Arrive Before NGAD; Re-engined B-52 becomes B-52J; T-7 Delayed til 2025; A-10s, E-3s to the Boneyard.
The Boeing T-7 Red Hawk advanced trainer won't be ready for a low-rate initial production decision until February 2025—six and a half years after Boeing won the initial contract in 2018. The new date for the "Milestone C" initial production decision is as much as ...
Forty years since the Air Force first started thinking about replacing the eight engines on the B-52, the job is finally underway. The re-engining is the centerpiece of an upgrade that will keep the Stratofortress operationally relevant for another 20 to 30 years. Two new F130 ...
A Pentagon declaration that the F-35's initial development is complete is still months away, but even when it comes, it won't trigger a surge in production of the fighter. “I don’t think you’ll see a large deviation” in production when full-rate is declared, according to ...
