New Fighter Jet Takes to the Air
By ANGELA K. BROWN
AP
FORT WORTH, Texas (Dec. 15) – The new stealth fighter jet that will replace an aging fleet of military planes experienced a minor glitch during an otherwise successful first flight Friday, Lockheed Martin Corp. officials said.
Jon S. Beesley, chief test pilot for the Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35, said the plane handled “marvelously,” performed flawlessly and flew better than the simulator.
He flew to 15,000 feet, escorted by three jets that provided safety and took pictures. “It was a great adventure,” he said. “Today really started the opening for me for the rest of this greatest fighter program in history where we’re going to go forward and develop this great weapons system that will protect everybody, and that’s what it’s all about.”
…..After 10 years of development, Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin is moving to the early stages of production for what could be thousands of fighter jets for the American military and eight countries – and possibly the largest defense contract ever, $275 billion over the next two decades.
The U.S. plans to use the F-35 to replace aging planes used by the Marines, Air Force and Navy, including jets like the F-16, the F-18 and the Harrier jet.
The full article is here.
How about 1% of that for chess and education?
Susan, I’m confused about something. When you ask readers to send you news tips, what kind of tips are you looking for? Want to help but don’t want to waste your time or ours.
This was an interesting story.
npgAnything about local, national, international or even out of space chess 🙂
Basically any kind of positive chess news, information or tips that they would like to share with the chess community.
Thank you!
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
I think this helps drive american economy. It will create lots of jobs for american engineers and lots of small indutries will get subcontract work. plus due to advance technology, research will be encouraged and america will keep on leading the world in technology….
Great post.
1% for chess and education will only lead to more planes being built – unless it is the right education… 🙂
Susan,
Not sure exactly what you are asking that the 1% be devoted too? Strictly chess education? I am confused by the word “and”, (“chess and education”), since the US spends twice as much per year on education ($536 billion for 2005/6) as the military plans on spending over the next 20 years for these planes (“$275 billion over the next two decades”).
Cheers, Milty
1% of $275 billion = $2.75billion
divided by 20 years = $137.5 million!
$137.5 million per year for chess?
Dream on Susan, just dream on!
what good is chess anyway?
The Piece can’t kill anybody with and the best it can do is to capture.
That is lame, we need blood!
see it as an investment in a future which allows you to play chess
Chess teachers don’t do nearly so much damage when you drop them on a bridge from 20,000 feet.