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U.S. Air Force declares first squadron of F-35 jets combat-ready
Source: Reuters
World | Tue Aug 2, 2016 2:23pm EDT
U.S. Air Force declares first squadron of F-35 jets combat-ready
WASHINGTON | BY IDREES ALI AND ANDREA SHALAL
The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday declared an initial squadron of Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-35A fighter jets ready for combat, marking a major milestone for a program that has faced cost overruns and delays.
The move is another achievement for the $379 billion program, the Pentagon's largest weapons project. The Air Force follows the U.S. Marine Corps, which declared a first squadron of F-35s ready for combat in July 2015.
"The U.S. Air Force decision to make the 15 F-35As at Hill Air Force Base combat ready sends a simple and powerful message to America's friends and foes alike - the F-35 can do its mission," F-35 program chief, Air Force Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, said in a statement.
Officials say the F-35 will give the U.S. military the ability to detect enemy aircraft and other threats far beyond current ranges, allowing the jets to strike targets and disappear long before they are detected.
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U.S. Air Force declares first squadron of F-35 jets combat-ready
WASHINGTON | BY IDREES ALI AND ANDREA SHALAL
The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday declared an initial squadron of Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-35A fighter jets ready for combat, marking a major milestone for a program that has faced cost overruns and delays.
The move is another achievement for the $379 billion program, the Pentagon's largest weapons project. The Air Force follows the U.S. Marine Corps, which declared a first squadron of F-35s ready for combat in July 2015.
"The U.S. Air Force decision to make the 15 F-35As at Hill Air Force Base combat ready sends a simple and powerful message to America's friends and foes alike - the F-35 can do its mission," F-35 program chief, Air Force Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, said in a statement.
Officials say the F-35 will give the U.S. military the ability to detect enemy aircraft and other threats far beyond current ranges, allowing the jets to strike targets and disappear long before they are detected.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lockheed-fighter-idUSKCN10D17D
