Tag: F-35A

The first two F-35s expected to land in Israel next week will be the first 5th Generation jet fighters the U.S. hands out to a foreign ally. The two ADIR Jets are only the beginning. Over the next eight years, Israel will receive 50 aircraft forming two full ADIR squadrons flying the F-35. The unique capabilities of the new fighter will provide the Israel Air Force a game-changing platform that has not been seen in the region since the introduction of the F-15 Eagle (by the IAF), 40 years ago.

As part of a major consolidation and realignments of US forces in Europe announced today by the Pentagon the Air Force plans to permanently deploy two of its future F-35 squadrons at RAF Lakenheath. US presence in RAF Mildenhall will be terminated, with assets and personnel supporting aerial recce units flying RC-135 moved to other bases in the UK. Aerial refuelling and special operations units will be transferred to Germany.

The U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin have reached an agreement in principle for the production of 43 F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) aircraft. The buy includes 19 F-35As for the Air Force, six F-35Bs for the Marines and four F-35Cs for the Navy. Additional aircraft included are 10 F-35As for Israel (2), Japan (4), Norway (2)and Italy (2) as well as four F-35Bs for the UK.

An F-35A assigned to the 33rd fighter wing caught fire yesterday while taking off on a training mission from the Eglin Air Force Base. The pilot escaped unharmed and no injuries were reported but the aircraft suffered major damage

The South Korean defense acquisition program administration (DAPA) has indicated this week that the bidding process for the 8.3 trillion won (US$7.2 billion) program...

Though late to sign on to the network of nations purchasing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Israel will be the first international customer to...

Arrival of four F-35As at Edwards Nellis Air Force Bases marks the elevation of the new aircraft flight testing from developmental to operational testing of the new aircraft. "What we do here over the next few years will absolutely play a large part in determining the jet's effectiveness in real-world operations for the next 30 to 40 years" Lt. Col. Steven J. Tittel, the 31st TES commander said.

The Japanese government has decided to allow domestic defense contractors to manufacture and export components for the aircraft. It is expected that Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited, IHI Corporation, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will all have a hand in the production and maintenance of F-35 components. These business entities are expected to contribute to the manufacture of fuselage parts, radar systems, and engine components.

An F-35A completed the first in-flight weapons release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) over the China Lake test range yesterday, October 16, 2012.

Sources in Japan report the cost of the initial F-35A fighters Japan has agreed to buy during Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) may total as much as $196.9 million per aircraft, almost 50% higher than previously reported. However, analysts predict that although the cost increase may generate a short-lived political outcry, it is unlikely Japan will cancel its order in favor of a competing aircraft.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified the United States Congress on 30 April of a potential Foreign Military Sale of Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) to Japan.  The sale includes an initial order for four F-35A Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) stealth fighters with an option for the purchase of an additional 38 F-35A CTOL aircraft.  The cost of the purchase is estimated to be $10 billion.

In an unexpected statement 3 May, Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith announced Australia’s decision to delay its purchase of 12 Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) for at least two years.

The F-35 testing program is rapidly progressing toward the weapon testing milestone, which will be significant in validating the new fighter's combat capabilities for the first time. Among the testing were pit drops conducted at Pax River, and external carriage flights which included aerial refueling for the first time.

Part of a comprehensive four-year defense modernization bill, Norway plans to invest US$1.74 in CV90 armored vehicles modernization, to include added mine protection, improved C4ISR integration, rubber band tracks and Remote Weapon Stations for self defense.