Defense Secretary Gates signals strong support for F-35 joint strike fighter during visit to Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth

Right on cue, an F-35 roared over Lockheed Martin on Monday morning, just as Defense Secretary Robert Gates delivered what might have been his strongest endorsement yet of the joint strike fighter.

"The F-35 is the core of our combat tactical aircraft in the future," Gates said while standing in a hangar in front of a newly built F-35 Lightning II. "My view is we cannot afford as a nation not to have this airplane."

Gates, who has summarily canceled more than a few weapons programs for cost overruns and extensive delays, arrived at the plant with thousands of employees awaiting his judgment on whether the F-35 program is worth the escalating price in a time of worsening budget pressures.

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