Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Norway moves ahead on F-35

Norway, a relative newcomer to the F-35 program, says it will cost 20 percent more to operate a fleet of F-35 fighters than it does its aging F-16 fleet. But the government is moving forward. Why? Norway's F-35 Program Office said modern threats demand the F-35's fast response, and today's crises are "come as you are conflicts." Norway plans to acquire 52 of the fifth-generation fighters. The initial aircraft are on the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas. Four of the nation's F-35s will remain in the U.S. to support pilot training. (Source: Aviation Week and Space Technology, 10/06/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the F-35 integrated training center.