thedrifter
07-11-06, 12:45 PM
July 17, 2006
Lightning strikes twice
JSF name is sequel to WW II fighter
Marines will have to wait until this fall for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s first flight, but at least it now has a name.
Lightning II is the official moniker for the stealthy multirole fighters, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said July 7. The first Lightning was a World War II fighter, the P-38.
Moseley received input on the name from service members and coalition partners involved in the program, said Air Force Maj. Glen Roberts, a spokesman for the general. Lightning II was one of six finalists, which included Black Mamba, Cyclone, Piasa, Reaper and Spitfire II.
“This aircraft represents the fruits of lessons learned over a hundred years of flight and aerial combat,” Moseley said.
The JSF is a $276 billion international program designed to replace a host of legacy aircraft, including Marine AV-8B Harrier IIs and F/A-18 Hornets. Eight international partners also are involved in development of the aircraft.
Prime contractor Lockheed Martin will produce three variants of the aircraft. The Air Force will buy the conventional takeoff-and-landing model; the Navy will buy the carrier variant; and the Marine Corps and British Royal Air Force will buy the short-takeoff-and-landing version.
— Laura M. Colarusso
Ellie
Lightning strikes twice
JSF name is sequel to WW II fighter
Marines will have to wait until this fall for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s first flight, but at least it now has a name.
Lightning II is the official moniker for the stealthy multirole fighters, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said July 7. The first Lightning was a World War II fighter, the P-38.
Moseley received input on the name from service members and coalition partners involved in the program, said Air Force Maj. Glen Roberts, a spokesman for the general. Lightning II was one of six finalists, which included Black Mamba, Cyclone, Piasa, Reaper and Spitfire II.
“This aircraft represents the fruits of lessons learned over a hundred years of flight and aerial combat,” Moseley said.
The JSF is a $276 billion international program designed to replace a host of legacy aircraft, including Marine AV-8B Harrier IIs and F/A-18 Hornets. Eight international partners also are involved in development of the aircraft.
Prime contractor Lockheed Martin will produce three variants of the aircraft. The Air Force will buy the conventional takeoff-and-landing model; the Navy will buy the carrier variant; and the Marine Corps and British Royal Air Force will buy the short-takeoff-and-landing version.
— Laura M. Colarusso
Ellie