Via
DefenseNews.com
The U.S. military may deploy the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) before the tri-service fighter is formally declared
Initial Operational Capable (IOC), top uniformed officials told Congress
on May 24.
While the U.S. Marine Corps has always maintained that
it would declare IOC with interim Block 2B software, the U.S. Air Force
and U.S. Navy require that the aircraft be fielded with Block 3
software before the jet is formally declared operational. However, in
testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, leaders from both
services said they would consider deploying the fifth-generation stealth
fighter into combat zones with interim Block 2B software provided that
there were no safety concerns.
"If the combatant commander said, 'bring me this capability,' then we
clearly would provide it," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle,
the service's deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and
requirements.
The Navy's director of warfare integration, Rear Adm. David Philman, who was also testifying, concurred.
"I
don't see any reason we wouldn't be able to be told to go into theater,
assuming all the safety considerations have been taken care of," he
said.
Hmm, I can't wait to see the response to this news.
