The latest version of ALIS has been in use at Edwards Air Force Base in California for several months, Burbage said, and will be used at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada when Lockheed delivers four F-35s for testing next month or early January.

YUMA SQUADRON LAUNCH

The Navy “hacking” had threatened to derail plans by the Marine Corps to set up its first operational squadron of F-35 fighters at an air base in Yuma, Arizona, next week.

The Marines will be the first military service to start using the planes, probably around 2015, because their existing fleeting of F/A-18 fighters and Harriers is aging and expensive to maintain.

“It was a serious concern. We didn’t think we’d be where we are today for another three months,” said Col. Kevin Killea, who oversees aviation requirements for the Marine Corps. He said the system must be in place for Marine Corps pilots to begin flying the jets at the base in December.

Marine Corps and industry officials will formally kick off the operational squadron at the Yuma base on Nov. 20, although they are still waiting for final approval for pilots to start local area flights in late December.

“Everything is on schedule now,” Killea said, adding Lockheed had done “good work” to fix the logistics system and keep the Marine Corps plans for the Yuma base on schedule.