Aircraft
U.S. Military: F-35 Makes Progress Toward Initial Capability
Senior U.S. military officers said the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program remains on track to meet upcoming initial operational capability dates.
An F-35A at Edwards Air Force Base is shown with its systems development and demonstration weapons suite. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
An F-35A at Edwards Air Force Base is shown with its systems development and demonstration weapons suite. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

Senior U.S. military officers in recent pronouncements attested that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program remains on track to meet upcoming initial operational capability (IOC) dates of the Marine Corps and Air Force versions. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said his service’s “big challenge” is readying the fighter’s autonomic logistics information system (ALIS) to support its deployment.