A provision in the fiscal year 2016 defense authorization bill approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) last week may provide the Air Force with flexibility to direct qualified maintainers to its F-35A program, something the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) has sought.The SASC-approved legislation requires the Air Force, starting Oct. 1, to maintain a total aircraft inventory of fighter aircraft of no less than 1,950 and a total primary mission aircraft inventory (combat-coded) of no less than 1,116…
