The Air Force simultaneously announced Thursday that Luke AFB, Ariz., is the service’s preferred site for the next F-35 training schoolhouse. Luke was picked for the training mission ahead of the other previously announced candidate bases of Boise ANGS, Idaho, Eglin AFB, Fla., Holloman AFB, N.M., and Tucson ANGS, Ariz. Environmental impact studies will continue here as well.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.