Northrop Grumman reports that it has shaved center fuselage assembly time on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, cutting it about 28 percent since the system development and demonstration phase. In an April 1 release, the company notes that it has begun assembling the first production JSF, a “weight-optimized” F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant designated AF-6 and destined for USAF. “Jig loading the AF-6 center fuselage is significant because it shows the F-35 program is successfully transitioning” from SDD into production, said Janis Pamiljans, VP and F-35 program manager for Northrop’s Integrated Systems. She noted that the company had followed a “disciplined approach to managing costs and engineering changes” to be able to reduce assembly time. According to the release, Northrop began assembly the AF-6 center fuselage “about one week sooner than the date indicated by the F-35 program’s master schedule.”
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.