The Air Force accepted its 184th F-22 production fighter, leaving just three more F-22s to go to complete the service’s program of record. Raptor 4192 was delivered to JB Langley-Eustis, Va., its beddown location, after its acceptance on March 23 at prime contractor Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing plant in Marietta, Ga., according to the company. The Air Force expects to receive its three remaining F-22s by midyear. Aircraft 4195, the 187th and final production Raptor, began flight tests earlier this month in Marietta. Its delivery is planned after it completes flight tests by the end of May. When 4195 enters the fleet—it will be assigned to JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska—the Air Force will have 185 production jets in its inventory, since two have been lost in crashes to date. (Lockheed Martin photo and caption)
Exasperated with the delays to the F-35’s Tech Refresh 3 update—which has held up deliveries of completed fighters since last fall—the House Armed Services Committee wants to slash the military services’ fiscal 2025 F-35 purchase by at least 10 aircraft and as much as 20.