Multiyear buys for F-35, F-15EX? Sen. Budd hopeful airpower bills added to NDAA
The North Carolina lawmaker has sponsored a trio of bills aimed at boosting fighter jet inventory and retaining pilots.
EXCLUSIVE: US poised to accept new F-35s without radars, sources say
Rep. Rob Wittman told Breaking Defense that while he expected issues with the new APG-85 radar to eventually be resolved, in the interim the US military will be left with “lots of aircraft out there, but not ones that are ready to go to the fight.”
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How drones can navigate without GPS
Absolute positioning is critical in contested and denied environments.
Lockheed boasts record 191 F-35 deliveries in 2025
The delivery total greatly exceeds a previous record of 142, boosted by a backlog of undelivered jets that had to be held in storage.
Air Force needs hundreds more fighters, service says
A congressionally mandated review of the Air Force’s fighter force obtained by Breaking Defense finds that as many as 1,558 combat-ready jets are needed to fulfill global obligations, requiring greater procurement of aircraft like the F-15EX and F-35.
Lockheed, Pentagon finalize deal for 296 F-35s
The $24.3 billion deal covers 148 aircraft each in production lots 18 and 19, closing out negotiations that have stretched since 2023.
F-35 Lot 18 ‘price increase’ due to inflation, rising raw material cost: Pentagon
The rising costs have led to a row between Switzerland and the US, as Bern faces a $610 million increase for its order of 36 F-35As, a defense official told Breaking Defense.
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Shaping the future of airpower in the Indo-Pacific: GA-ASI’s revolutionary approach
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been the trailblazer in the UAS revolution for over three decades.
Lockheed CEO says firm in ‘very active’ talks with DoD on ‘Ferrari’ F-35 with sixth-gen tech
Jim Taiclet first announced what he then called a “Ferrari” version of the F-35 in April, just weeks after Lockheed lost out on the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance contract to Boeing.
Switzerland weighs cuts to F-35 order amid cost dispute, tariff pressure
The Swiss government says it is still committed to buying the F-35 stealth fighter, though Defense Minister Martin Pfister reportedly said that Bern may end up buying fewer of the jets due to a cost increase.
US Navy F-35C crashes in California, pilot ejects safely
The carrier-capable F-35C crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California Wednesday evening, according to a US Navy spokesperson.
Non-operators of F-35 interested in hosting local maintenance for jet: Lockheed exec
Michael Williamson, president of Lockheed Martin International, said non-operators of the F-35 have inquired about building "facilities and repair parts so another F-35 can land at their air bases, be repaired, and fly out.”
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In contested seas, autonomy must anticipate, not just navigate
As missions stretch farther and comms grow less reliable, predictive software could become the edge that keeps missions afloat.
Masiello takes over as new F-35 program lead
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Greg Masiello will now head the massive F-35 enterprise as outgoing program chief Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt retires.
National Guard adds F-15EXs, F-35s to $2.4B unfunded wish list for FY26
Additional F-15EXs are needed by Guard squadrons in Oregon, California and Louisiana, the unfunded requirements document states.
Lockheed believes it has finished F-35 TR-3 upgrade, executive says
Although a single combat capability remains to be validated by the US government, “we believe we have reached that point” where an upgrade known as TR-3 can officially support combat capabilities for the Joint Strike Fighter, said Lockheed executive J.R. McDonald.
EXCLUSIVE: Eyeing risk of radar ‘delays,’ Lockheed proposes new F-35 fuselage design
A letter from Lockheed Martin's CEO to the Air Force, obtained by Breaking Defense, warns of "risks" to radar delivery schedule, raising questions about future lots.