Marine F-35 put on probation

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is putting the Marine Corps version of the F-35 on a two-year probation to give Lockheed Martin more time to demonstrate its reliability, according to two defense officials and a lawmaker. It's part of Gates' plan to save $102 billion in military spending through 2016. There are three variants of the F-35, but the short take-off and vertical landing version is the most complex and has had more problems. (Source: Bloomberg, eCanadaNow, 01/06/11) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the site of the F-35 training center.