Navy Committed to F-35, Exploring F/A-18

The U.S. Navy remains committed to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, yet is meanwhile exploring the option of Boeing F/A-18 fighter jets.

Richard Gilpin, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for air programs, said that the Navy’s current plans still called for purchases of the Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G electronic attack planes to end in fiscal 2014.

He said the U.S. military would have to act soon to ensure continued production of the F/A-18 beyond 2016, but said no decisions had been made at this point. U.S. officials are also meeting with possible buyers at the show, in hopes of cementing orders that could extend the production line.