U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. John Aquilino, who has piloted F/A-18 and F-14 fighters, did not specifically defend the Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35 during his confirmation hearing to head U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) on March 23, though he did say that fifth generation and sixth generation aircraft are needed to deter China. "As a fighter pilot, kind of explain why the F-35, as a fifth generation fighter, is so critical to deterring,…
