China May Get NGAD First, Kelly Says

The Air Force needs the F-35’s operating cost per flight hour to reach $25,000 by 2025, but Air Combat Command boss Gen. Mark D. Kelly isn’t confident that will happen. Kelly told reporters during AFA’s virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium that he’s setting off to talk to key leaders at the factory and depot about setting a “plan of action and milestones” to tame the cost per flight hour. Kelly also said he’s worried China will win a race to field next-generation fighter technologies first. Read more ►