UK F-35 order next month

Britain is expected to order 14 F-35 fighters in a $5 billion deal that may not be finalized until next month, sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The deal includes fuel, hangars, training and operational support for the jets and was initially expected this week. Meanwhile, the United States had been expected to order 42 jets in fiscal 2015, up from 29 in fiscal 2014. But budget cuts will force the Pentagon to scale back, according to the sources. The expectation is that the fiscal 2015 budget request will call for three to six fewer F-35s than expected. (Source: Reuters, 02/11/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.