The F-35 contract Lockheed beat out Boeing ( BA) for almost a decade ago is so huge because the government opted to make just one basic aircraft design serve all branches.

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That includes the use of flight simulators and academic training to maintain basic skills and aircraft knowledge, Lingle said.

NPR: Federal Budget Cuts Ground Air Force Aircraft

Basic durable goods orders (ex-volatile aircraft orders) declined 2.7% in February.

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His biggest deal was to swap some hundreds of railway cars full of basic Chinese goods, socks notably, for two Soviet-built aircraft.

ECONOMIST: China