The military is already shifting to a newer, slightly less sophisticated aircraft, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, designed more for attacking targets on the ground.

VOA: standard.2009.07.21

Although GE currently makes engines for several U.S. fighters, the future of the high-performance military engine business is the F-35 joint strike fighter, which will replace most of the tactical aircraft in the joint fleet over the next 30 years.

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For instance, former Navy Secretary Gordon England was launched by the admirals on a hapless mission to kill the Marine version of the F-35 joint strike fighter during the first Bush Administration, only to be shot down in joint deliberations.

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The NUT and the NASUWT have already announced joint strike plans over pay, pensions and workload.

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