The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Michael Mullen, wants to get the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter “out and online.” He told defense reporters Tuesday morning that the F-35, which will replace the F/A-18, is crucial to the Navy’s future force. Mullen said, “To me, it’s about the JSF… my concern is for the JSF program and delivering it on time.”
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.