I lawmaker al congresso sono davvero potenti, mica i deputati che abbiamo in Italia:
The amendment introduced by Ayotte would prevent the service from retiring the A-10 until Fanning or his successor certifies to Congress that its planned replacement, the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, is fully ready to fly combat operations -- which is still years away.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh recently testified that the F-35A, the service's version of the stealth fighter designed for conventional take-offs and landings, won't reach so-called full operational capability until 2021.
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Ayotte's amendment would also require that the F-35 run a version of software known as Block 4A, which includes enhanced electronic warfare functions for close-air support and the ability drop a GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb version II or its equivalent, according to a copy of the text.
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The House, meanwhile, has already passed its version of the legislation.
Giocando questa carta, l'A-10 arriva tranquillamente alla fine della sua vita operativa programmata.