Lockheed backs new AETP engine for F-35

Lockheed backs new AETP engine for F-35
Lockheed backs new AETP engine for F-35

“I’m going to advocate, and I do advocate, for [the Adaptive Engine Transition Program, or AETP],” said Lockheed Martin aeronautics chief Greg Ulmer, who labeled “some” current approaches to the fighter’s engine modernization as “short-sighted.”

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The state of air dominance in Europe and what the air chiefs say they need to stay ahead of the threat

The state of air dominance in Europe and what the air chiefs say they need to stay ahead of the threat
The state of air dominance in Europe and what the air chiefs say they need to stay ahead of the threat

Gen. (ret) Jeff “Cobra” Harrigian, recently retired commander of US Air Forces Europe and Africa, describes the European battlespace and what’s on the minds of the air chiefs as Ukraine defends itself.

Raytheon eyes boxing out Honeywell as supplier for critical F-35 subsystem

Raytheon eyes boxing out Honeywell as supplier for critical F-35 subsystem
Raytheon eyes boxing out Honeywell as supplier for critical F-35 subsystem

Cooling needs for the Joint Strike Fighter have taxed the F-35’s engine beyond its design specifications, prompting a need for separate upgrades to its powerplant and cooling system that Raytheon sees as an opening.

Prodded by GAO, Space Force reconsiders future military-use GPS constellation, receivers

Prodded by GAO, Space Force reconsiders future military-use GPS constellation, receivers
Prodded by GAO, Space Force reconsiders future military-use GPS constellation, receivers

The Space Force has set contradictory requirements for the number of M-code capable GPS satellites, the Government Accountability Office found.

House authorizers would block F-22 divestments, end funding for ARRW hypersonic program

House authorizers would block F-22 divestments, end funding for ARRW hypersonic program
House authorizers would block F-22 divestments, end funding for ARRW hypersonic program

Despite confidence from the Air Force secretary that Congress would greenlight the F-22 divestments, lawmakers are once again inclined to keep the fighters around.

Upgraded F-35s won’t be accepted by Pentagon come July

Upgraded F-35s won’t be accepted by Pentagon come July
Upgraded F-35s won’t be accepted by Pentagon come July

An unknown number of new F-35s will be held up as a result of ongoing testing for the TR-3 system, with deliveries expected to start between December 2023 and April 2024.

Lockheed picks GE engine to power LMXT tanker

Lockheed picks GE engine to power LMXT tanker
Lockheed picks GE engine to power LMXT tanker

Lockheed’s selection of GE Aerospace’s CF6 engines comes as the Air Force weighs sole-sourcing a next round of tankers to Boeing or opening up a competition.

Lockheed, Raytheon invest $12.5M in 3D printing firm Fortify

Lockheed, Raytheon invest $12.5M in 3D printing firm Fortify
Lockheed, Raytheon invest $12.5M in 3D printing firm Fortify

The company, just 55 employees strong, boasts a unique approach to additive manufacturing of lightweight, versatile composites well-suited to aerospace applications from fighter aircraft and drones to hypersonics.

Pratt says F-35 engine stockpile restored after GAO warned of production delays

Pratt says F-35 engine stockpile restored after GAO warned of production delays
Pratt says F-35 engine stockpile restored after GAO warned of production delays

A Pratt executive pushed back on a Government Accountability Office report that warned of production delays due to an inventory of engines being cleared out, and stated the company’s engine upgrade for the Joint Strike Fighter can support the jet’s needs through Block 4. 

F-35’s Block 4 upgrade 55 percent over target costs, up $1.4B since last review: GAO

F-35’s Block 4 upgrade 55 percent over target costs, up $1.4B since last review: GAO
F-35’s Block 4 upgrade 55 percent over target costs, up $1.4B since last review: GAO

A new report from the Government Accountability Office points to undocumented cost growth for new capabilities for the fighter.

Lockheed eyeing plans to keep SPY-1 radar active in fleets globally through 2060

Lockheed eyeing plans to keep SPY-1 radar active in fleets globally through 2060
Lockheed eyeing plans to keep SPY-1 radar active in fleets globally through 2060

The SPY-1 radar, after first coming online in the 1970s, is used by the US Navy as well as the navies of Australia, Japan, Norway, Spain and South Korea.

2 companies have worked on Air Force’s NGAD next-gen jet, but more competitors are possible

2 companies have worked on Air Force’s NGAD next-gen jet, but more competitors are possible
2 companies have worked on Air Force’s NGAD next-gen jet, but more competitors are possible

“We have not received any proposals yet but we expect multiple proposals in the future,” an Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense.

NGAD Deadline: Air Force’s next-generation fighter will be selected in 2024

NGAD Deadline: Air Force’s next-generation fighter will be selected in 2024
NGAD Deadline: Air Force’s next-generation fighter will be selected in 2024

Little is known about the secretive sixth-generation Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, other than it will be extremely expensive.

Sikorsky spins up to defend HH-60W combat rescue helicopter from planned cuts

Sikorsky spins up to defend HH-60W combat rescue helicopter from planned cuts
Sikorsky spins up to defend HH-60W combat rescue helicopter from planned cuts

With possible alternatives still undefined and likely several years away, Sikorsky and supporters are leaning on Congress to rescue the HH-60W from planned cuts. But will the argument win the day?