Investing in the Virtual Future

Jan. 14, 2011

The Air Force will be spending some of its $34 billion in planned overhead savings on buying an extra 16 simulators for its fleet of F-35A strike fighters, said Secretary Michael Donley. He said the service expects to conduct fully 50 percent of F-35 pilot training in simulators. Among the benefits, this shift away from real-world flying will help generate savings in fuel costs and, presumably, sustainment, he said during his Air Force Association-sponsored presentation Wednesday in Arlington, Va.

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