According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is only weeks away from getting a name—final recommendations are being “closely guarded” by top Air Force officials. The paper reports that the Air Force did ask for options from the other military services and eight partner nations. The three prime purchasers of the new fighter all follow different naming themes. USAF favors birds of prey for its fighters, while the Navy has Tomcat and Hornet, and Britain’s Royal Air Force has Tornado and Typhoon.
More than seven weeks still remain until the 2023 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, but observers of Congress are already warning that time is running out for lawmakers to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act and appropriations bill that will fund the Pentagon before that deadline. Should Congress…