Northrop Grumman has delivered the first F-35 Lightning II integrated communications, navigation, and identification system ahead of schedule. The CNI system will provide more than 40 functions to F-35 pilots via the software-defined radios that enable “simultaneous support for dozens of critical capabilities while greatly minimizing size and weight,” say company officials.
The Air Force is planning to spend $2.19 billion over the next five years to acquire new C-37 jets for transporting military and civilian leaders. That’s on top of another $1.17 billion in projected funding for the VC-25B “Air Force One” replacement.