all she knows is that it past her Spell Checker...
Posted on 04/07/2012 9:16:40 PM PDT by U-238
Navy personnel are busy preparing to teach the next generation of Sailors how to work with and fly the newest military aircraft, the F-35C Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter, as Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101) readies for their stand-up ceremony May 1 on Eglin Air Force Base.
The F-35 is a single seat, multi-role fighter aircraft with the capability to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The aircraft is in full production at the Lockheed-Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The F-35 is designed to eventually replace the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier tactical fighter aircraft and was planned with a common design, but three unique service variants, to keep development, production, and operating costs down.
“This is brand new aircraft platform from tooth to tail,” said Cmdr. Scott Kartvedt, commanding officer of VFA-101. “We’re not parlaying off any Navy stealth legacy programs or support systems. This will be the first new stealth and carrier-based tactical fighter aircraft since the introduction of the F/A-18 29 years ago.”
The original Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101), nicknamed the “Grim Reapers,” was established on May 1, 1952 and flew various models of fighter aircraft including the F-4 Phantom and F-14 Tomcat. With the retirement of the F-14, VF-101 was disestablished in 2005.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
ping
Isn’t that spelled ‘Lightning’?
all she knows is that it past her Spell Checker...
Well, given the several crash programs to reduce the weight of the F-35, especially the B STOVL version...
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