Turkey wants to receive its first F-35s sooner than planned. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Monday his country is set to receive its first two F-35s in 2018 rather than 2021, IHS Jane’s 360 reported. Another four will be received as part of the first order. The NATO ally has decided to order a second batch of fighters that will be delivered in 2021 and 2022, according to Reuters. The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries did not say how many aircraft would make up the second order, but US officials told Reuters that 24 jets would be bought. Turkey plans to eventually buy at least 100 F-35As, according to Lockheed Martin.
The first flight of the secretive B-21 bomber has slipped to mid-2022, but the program is moving along well, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director Randall Walden said in an exclusive interview. The second copy of the B-21, which will be used for structural testing, is now on the production…