The Joint Strike Fighter, codenamed F-35, was taken around the block for a spin this morning, and made it home again without a scratch. The quarter-trillion dollar program, financed mainly by the U.S, hit the news recently when main ally Britain implied it would cancel its orders if not given the avionics source code.
That flap having been resolved, today's flight moves the F-35 a step closer to actual battle against the U.S.S.R.
The F-35 is the spiritual son of the veteran Hawker Harrier, which it is intended to replace: loadout and capabilities are irrelevant so long as the bastard can hover.
