president donald trump air force secretary nominee heather wilson tell u.s. senators thursday jet lack stealth capability lockheed martin corp f-35 fighter jet remark suggest pentagon expensive weapons system would important advocate wilson former u.s. representative new mexico would become top civilian oversee air force confirm senate purview would include weapons acquisitions like stealthy f-35 jet ask felt would make sense rely spruced-up version f-18 say general matter real thing think f-18 f-15 f-16 give stealth capability retroactively comment significant trump suggest buy boeing co f/a-18s call comparable f-35 despite f-35 status stealth aircraft mean difficult enemy radar detect 1990s-vintage f/a-18 use stealth technology u.s. senate arm service committee hear wilson nomination touch expand size air force acquisitions new space cyber warfare capabilities well aircraft like f-35 january u.s. defense secretary jam mattis order cost-cutting review two major aircraft acquisition program include f-35 ongoing review examine cut cost also determine whether boeing f/a-18e/f super hornet improvements could effective less expensive alternative f-35c variant wilson delve new acquisition program specifics hear say air force small nation expect it first civilian head military branch testify senate year nominees army navy remove name consideration graduate u.s. air force academy wilson president south dakota school mine technology since 2013 say testimony nomination unexpected senate must hold vote confirm wilson secretary air force u.s. air force secretary nominee back stealth aspect f-35s