Admiral Caudle Warns Of Rising Air Defense Threats To F-18 Fleet
The US Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Daryl Caudle, emphasized the need to accelerate the F/A-XX stealth fighter program due to the rapid spread of advanced anti-aircraft systems, which pose a significant threat to the Navy’s current F-18 fleet. Caudle highlighted the importance of F/A-XX’s advanced capabilities, including stealth, range, and electronic warfare, to reliably penetrate future air defenses. The program is set to receive $897 million in funding for a development contract, as reported by Breaking Defense.