Search

Air Force F-35A IOC Declaration Buys Political Support, Analysts Say

Air Force F-35A IOC Declaration Buys Political Support, Analysts Say
The first F-35A for the Italian Air Force, and the first F-35 built at the Cameri FACO, takes to the skies over Italy, Sept. 7, 2015. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

Declaring initial operational capability (IOC) for the F-35A will benefit the Air Force more politically than in the skies, according to a pair of analysts.Teal Group Vice President of Analysis Richard Aboulafia told Defense Daily Tuesday foreign customers are questioning buying into a program that hasn’t entered service. Aboulafia said while the Air Force wants to get the F-35A out in combat to show it off for these international customers, the problem is that there are “very few” scenarios that…

Subscriber-only content. Please log in below.

Not a subscriber or registered user yet?

Please contact us at clientservices@accessintel.com or call us at 888-707-5814 (Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET.), to start a free trial, get pricing information, order a reprint, or post an article link on your website.



Congress Updates

Senate Appropriators Concerned With DoD’s Reconciliation Plan For Top FY ‘27 Priorities, Aide Says

Senate defense appropriators have concerns with the Pentagon’s decision to include key fiscal year 2027 funding priorities, such as critical munitions and drones production, among its request for $350 billion […]


With $1.5 Trillion Request, Army, Air Force, Navy’s Unfunded Lists Focus Solely On MILCON Projects

With the Trump administration’s push to massively increase defense spending to $1.5 trillion in fiscal year 2027, the Army, Air Force and Navy have eschewed submitting large unfunded priorities lists […]


Bipartisan House Bill Would Give National Guard To Counter-Drone Authorities

Seeking to close gaps that may arise between state and local law enforcers in different jurisdictions, a bipartisan contingent of House members this week introduced a bill that would allow […]


Munitions Fired Represent Most of $25 Billion Spent By Pentagon on Iran War So Far

Munitions fired in the two-month old “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran represent most of the $25 billion cost the Pentagon has incurred thus far in the conflict, the acting Defense […]