Some good news for the F35;
U.S. Air Force To Move Forward Target Date For F-35 Use - Carbonated.TV
U.S. Air Force To Move Forward Target Date For F-35 Use
* Air Force aims for mid-2016 start
* Navy eyes mid-2018 date for operational use of F-35s
* Marines sticking to mid-2015 target date (Adds reaction, F-35B vertical takeoff)
The U.S. Air Force plans to start operational use of Lockheed Martin Corp.-built F-35 fighter jets in mid-2016, a year earlier than planned, using a similar software package as the Marine Corps, two sources familiar with the plans said on Monday.
The Air Force's decision to accelerate its introduction with a slightly less capable version of the F-35 software package means the planes will carry fewer weapons at first, although the software will later be upgraded to the final version, said the sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly.
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The planes will run the F-35's 2B software, which will give the Marines an initial war fighting capability that includes some air-to-air skills, the ability to strike targets on the ground and carry several internal weapons, including laser-guided bombs.