By Tyler Rogoway October 30, 2015 Presidential candidate Donald Trump is finally offering some specifics when it comes to defense policy, and on conservative talk radio host Hugh Hewitt’s program today he floated the possibility of cancelling the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program if he gets elected. According to the Air Force Times, Trump said: […]
By Gareth Jennings November 3, 2015 The United Kingdom has signed up for a further six operational Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft, in addition to the four already contracted last year. The six new F-35Bs form part of the Lot 9 production contract, which was awarded by the US Department […]
By Lara Seligman November 2, 2015 WASHINGTON — For the first time, a US Air Force F-35 fighter jet has successfully fired its internal gun from the air. The aerial gun test marks another milestone in the Pentagon’s effort to certify the F-35A’s internal 25mm Gatling gun. Lockheed Martin released avideo Monday of F-35 test pilot Maj. Charles “Flak” Trickey […]
By Lara Seligman October 29, 2015 WASHINGTON — In a major leadership change for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program, the company has promoted Lorraine Martin while naming her deputy to succeed her as F-35 lead. Martin has been promoted to the newly created position of deputy executive vice president for mission systems and training, while Jeff Babione will succeed […]
By Phillip Swarts October 30, 2015 Donald Trump wants to tell the F-35 that it’s fired. The businessman and Republican presidential candidate questioned the wisdom of purchasing the joint strike fighter during an appearance on a conservative radio talk show Oct. 22. “When they say that this cannot perform as well as the planes we […]
By Phillip Swarts November 2, 2015 The F-35 helmet is back in the news again, after Defense News, sister publication of Air Force Times, reported that F-35 pilots weighing under 136 pounds have been grounded due to concerns with the plane’s ejection seat. Tests showed that a lighterweight pilot’s neck could snap during an ejection […]
By Phillip Swarts November 2, 2015 Questions about the cost of the F-35 helmet come at a time when budget pressures have forced the Air Force to make radical cuts to end strength, modernization and training. The result is a concern that more than half of the force is “not sufficiently ready” for highend battle, Air […]
By Aaron Mehta November 2, 2015 The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, John McCain, R-Ariz., said Oct. 21 the U.S. will have to cut the numbers of F-35 fighter jets it will purchase. In a brief comment to reporters, McCain seemed to signal that the total projected buy for the Pentagon’s most costly […]
By Phillip Swarts November 2, 2015 When the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, finally takes to the skies on its first official mission, it will be one of the most advanced and one of the most expensive planes ever. And the pilots flying the aircraft will be wearing the most advanced and most […]
By Phillip Swarts October 5, 2015 Some pilots who have flown the F-35 Lightning II say its capabilities are “unmatched.” “This is by far the easiest airplane I’ve ever flown in my life,” said Col. Todd Canterbury, chief of the F-35 Integration Office Operations Division, during a Sept. 18 showing of the aircraft at Joint […]