>The F-35 still has a long way to go before it will be ready for combat. That was the parting message of Dr. Michael Gilmore, the now-retired Director of Operat

>The F-35 still has a long way to go before it will be ready for combat. That was the parting message of Dr. Michael Gilmore, the now-retired Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, in his last annual report. Some F-35s have already seen combat for one. Yes it's expensive but the per unit cost will be cheaper than already existing jet platforms and we plan to use this one for 50 years.