1.   And the plane they have in mind is the joint strike fighter being developed by rival teams led by Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

2.   But so far, no one at the Pentagon has suggested budgeting funds for an unmanned version of the joint strike fighter.

3.   Italy plans to use both the joint strike fighter and the four-nation Eurofighter to upgrade its flying forces, di Paola said.

4.   Lockheed Martin brings stealth to the joint strike fighter and Northrop Grumman brings the Navy background.

5.   Since starting the job, Burbage has spent barely two weeks in the tiny apartment he keeps in Fort Worth, where the joint strike fighter will be built.

6.   Sometimes the strike fighters dock with the Vikings for a bit more fuel on the way back to the carriers.

7.   Still, some Air Force officials see an unmanned version of the joint strike fighter as the beginning of a new era in combat aircraft.

8.   The joint strike fighter is to be used by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines as well as the British Royal Navy.

9.   The joint strike fighter, which would be built in much greater numbers, would be used to defend that airspace.

10.   The JSF program, however, represents far more than just the next-generation stealth strike fighter, whatever the final number built.