The “Milestone C” decision is a crucial moment signifying the department’s confidence in the performance of the F-35 and maturity of Lockheed Martin’s production system, though the plane has been in service for years.
By Valerie Insinna“Now that we understand that 80 kilowatts is a must-have, it was the mission of: how do we get there, with the lowest impact to the overall airframe?” Honeywell Aerospace’s Matt Milas told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.
By Michael MarrowThe designation marks the first time that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.
By Michael MarrowThe plea from Radosław Sikorski adds to a chorus of European officials who have grown concerned by Washington’s reluctance to approve the new funding and wider fears that Europe cannot sustain the war effort without American weapon supplies.
By Tim MartinThe indigenously-produced fighter “reached an altitude of 8,000 feet and achieved a speed of 230 knots,” according to a statement.
By Agnes HelouThe Czech government suggested the timing and location of the signing in Prague was affected by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent health issues.
By Lee FerranLawmakers have not been shy about directly tying Turkey’s F-16s to Anakara’s approval of Sweden’s NATO bid.
By Lee FerranThe nearly $3B deal, which was frozen for years in a geopolitical tussle, is making strides, GA-ASI President David Alexander told Breaking Defense.
By Agnes HelouAs many as 120 F-35s could be “undelivered” in 2024 as a result of delays with the stealth fighter’s Technology Refresh 3 upgrade, according to Lockheed Martin Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave.
By Michael MarrowA simmering dispute between London and Berlin over exporting Eurofighter Typhoons to Saudi Arabia could pave the way for Dassault’s rival Rafale offer to succeed, Eric Trappier suggested.
By Christina MackenzieIn all, Brussels expects to receive 34 F-35s in what was previously estimated to be a $6.3 billion deal.
By Lee Ferran“This is a vision for the future, so there is currently no process of acquiring aircraft to replace the F-16s,” a spokesperson from the office of Portugal’s defense minister Helena Carreiras, told Breaking Defense.
By Tim MartinA nearly $3 billion deal for 18 MQ-9B SkyGuardians was put on hold by the Biden administration, linked to concerns over the Gulf nation’s embrace of Chinese wireless tech.
By Agnes Helou