The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday after the jet took off from Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The aircraft was an F-35B test jet on its way to Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.
"We do in fact plan to deploy THOR in CY21 for operational field assessment, but will not confirm deployment locations or theaters at this time," an Air Force spokesman says.
Midsized companies can offer flexibility and agility while keeping intellectual property in the hands of the government.
Newcomers to the contest are: Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Offutt AFB, Nebraska; Patrick AFB, Florida; and Port San Antonio, Texas.