An item in Jan. 16’s Daily Report stated the Air Force was losing two F-35s as part of the Fiscal 2014 omnibus budget. The omnibus cuts two F-35As and one F-35C from advanced procurement funds, which are funds specifically requested to procure long lead items to support Fiscal 2015 buys. The budget reduction means the F-35 program cannot initiate long lead purchases for more than 28 F-35As in Fiscal 2015, F-35 Joint Program Office spokesman Joe DellaVedova told the Daily Report. “We foresee little impact on the overall program,” he noted, adding the total procurement number of 2,443 aircraft remains unchanged.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs from Anduril and General Atomics passed their Critical Design Reviews early in November, clearing the way for detailed production efforts to get underway, the Air Force said. How future versions will be upgraded is still under discussion.