DOW JONES NEWSWIRES The Pentagon is close to lifting a "probation" imposed last year on the Marine Corps version of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s (LMT) new F-35 fighter jet after the "B" model made progress on key technical issues, Reuters reported Thursday citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta could make the announcement as soon as Friday, Reuters reported. Marine Corps officials had no immediate comment on the expected announcement, a spokesman for the Pentagon's F-35 program office wasn't immediately available, while Lockheed referred all related questions to the Pentagon, Reuters said. Full story at http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/01/19/lockheed-fighter-pentagon-idINDEE80I0KF20120119 -Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2900
