CHICAGO — Chicago officials revealed the headliners for this summer's Chicago Air & Water Show — and they include a stealth fighter that's part of the world's most expensive airplane program.
The Aug. 20-21 North Avenue beach extravaganza will feature the U.S. Air Force's F-35 jet, a $90 million plane making its first appearance at the Chicago lakefront air show.
The Atlantic called the F-35 program the "most expensive defense program in history," with cost estimates pegged near $1 trillion. That's $382 billion to buy thousands of jets, and $650 billion to operate and maintain them.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter can hit a top speed near 2,000 mph.
Also at this year's show, the 58th annual, will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team.
Managing Editor Shamus Toomey is getting giddy for the Air and Water Show.
The event is staged along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Returning acts also include: AeroShell Aerobatic Team, Aerostars, Bill Stein Airshows, Chicago Fire Department Helicopter Air/Sea Rescue, Dave Dacy in the Super Stearman Model 70, Firebirds Delta Team, Matt Chapman Airshows, P-51 Mustang, Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.A.F. F-16, U.S.N. F-18, Warbird Heritage Museum Foundation: A-4 Skyhawk Jet Tac Demo — and show announcer Herb Hunter, the “Voice of the Air and Water Show.”
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