Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge Jr. announces the decision to proceed with the Joint Strike Fighter program, at the Pentagon on Oct. 26, 2001, moving the program to the System Development and Demonstration phase. The Joint Strike Fighter is a multi-service, multi-nation, family of warplanes which will be produced in three versions to fit the requirements of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps as well as the British Royal Air Force and Navy. The program is the largest acquisition program in the history of the Department of Defense. Secretary of the Navy Gordon England (left) and Secretary of the Air Force James Roche joined Aldridge for the announcement.