By Phillip Swarts October 5, 2015 Air Force leaders are telling airmen to “explain why we need the F-35,” according to a leaked internal document from Secretary Deborah Lee James’ office. The eight-page internal memo, marked “Not for Public Release,” gives airmen a step-by-step guide on how to “debunk false narratives and inaccuracies reflected in […]
By Phillip Swarts October 5, 2015 Though designed for long-range engagements, there may be times when the F-35 Lightning II will be forced to get visual confirmation of a target, said Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the head of Air Combat Command. “Will there ever be a time where you’ll have to put your eyeball on somebody […]
By Lara Seligman October 12, 2015 Concerns about increased risk of injury to F-35 pilots during lowspeed ejections have prompted the military services to temporarily restrict pilots who weigh less than 136 pounds from flying the aircraft, Defense News, a sister publication of Air Force Times, has learned. During August tests of the ejection seat, […]
By Lara Seligman October 12, 2015 Top Air Force officials have continued to hammer home the message that if the Pentagon is forced to operate under a stopgap spending measure next year, the service’s ability to buy new aircraft and modernize its existing fleet is in peril. Congress passed a 10-week continuing resolution Sept. 30 […]
By Phillip Swarts October 19, 2015 American air bases could easily come under attack in future conflicts, and the Air Force must look at ways to better defend them, a military expert told Air Force Times. Long-range ballistic and cruise missiles developed by other nations are challenging former U.S. notions of security, according to a […]
By Gareth Jennings September 1, 2015 Lockheed Martin has been contracted to deliver Block 3F software for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for the US and UK militaries. The USD311.4 million contract announced by the Department of Defense (DoD) on 1 September covers delivery of the aircraft’s full combat software to the US […]
By Richard Tomkins Sept. 17, 2015 LONDON, Sept. 17 (UPI) — A mid-range standoff cruise missile for use on F-35 fighters is being developed by Lockheed Martin and its Turkish partner, Roketsan. The SOM-J will feature GPS guidance, aided by inertial, terrain-referenced and image-based navigation systems and an imaging infrared seeker. It will be based […]
Sep 19th 2015 THE cinema at Dyess Air Force Base, in central west Texas, is a splendid facility. It is entirely free for airmen and their families. Outside, there is a smart café selling snacks, sodas and, in the evenings, when children are not present, alcohol. Yet for more than two years, this centre for […]
By Lara Seligman September 21, 2015 FORT WORTH, Texas — Norway and Australia have minted a deal to develop a new seeker capability for the Joint Strike Missile, a core weapon planned for integration onto Norway’s F-35. Under the Sept. 15 agreement, Australia will finance the development of a new RF-seeking capability, which will enable […]
BY: JAMES DREW SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 The Dutch Ministry of Defence has formalised an agreement with Pratt & Whitney to establish an organic F135 engine maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) shop at the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s Woensdrecht Logistics Centre with the goal of supporting Lockheed Martin F-35 operations by 2019. The depot at […]