The F-35 Joint Program Office handed out a whopping $1.28 billion in contract to support operations and sustainment of the global F-35 fleet through June 30, 2021. The U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin announced an  Undefinitized Contract Action worth about $1.28 billion to provide initial critical sustainment activities for a worldwide fleet while […]

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) has announced that the UK Ministry of Defence has contracted MBDA to supply the miniature, cruise missile system for F-35 fighter jets. Missile specialist MBDA has received a contract valued at $746 million for the production of the SPEAR missile system from the Royal Air Force. SPEAR (known in UK service as […]

Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martin Corp. has announced that last week delivered the 123rd F-35 stealth warplane of the year. According to a press release issued Monday by Lockheed Martin, the 123rd aircraft is an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, built at the Cameri, Italy, Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO) facility and […]

On 28 December, the Royal Australian Air Force has announced that their F-35A Lightning II fleet was declared ‘combat ready’. “Our F-35A Lightning II fleet can now be deployed on operations, with Initial Operational Capability being officially achieved today,” the Royal Australian Air Force said in a Twitter post Monday. Minister for Defence, Senator the […]

U.S. Marine Corps highlights its expeditionary capabilities during training on San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands of California. According to a press release issued Monday by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 371 established two forward arming and refueling points (FARP) during the training, showcasing […]

The post U.S. Marines show off expeditionary capabilities at San Clemente Island first appeared on Defence Blog.

Norway-based company KONGSBERG has announced on Tuesday that it has awarded a new contract from Japan to supply the JSM (Joint Strike Missile) for their fleet of F-35 fighter aircraft.  According to a company news release, KONGSBERG has entered into a second follow-on contract with Japan to supply the JSM. As noted by the company, […]

The post Japan to receive more precision air-launched missiles for its F-35 fighters first appeared on Defence Blog.

Members of the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 conducted the mass launch of twenty-one F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft on Nov. 24 at Beaufort Base. “Pilots and students assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 conduct a max effort launch with 21 F-35B Lightning II aircraft aboard Marine Corps Air […]

The post U.S. Marine Corps conduct mass launch of 21 F-35B stealth fighters first appeared on Defence Blog.

The next three F-35B Lightning II short take-off and vertical landing aircraft departed the Lockheed Martin production facility recently to the United Kingdom. In a release Friday, Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, Royal Air Force, Allan Marshall said the new stealth fighter jets to increases the British fleet to 21 F-35s. “Looking forward to their […]

The post Lockheed Martin delivers next three F-35B aircraft to the U.K.'s Royal Air Force first appeared on Defence Blog.

The Vermont Air National Guard has announced that it is scheduled to begin two weeks of night flying operations starting Tuesday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 5, followed by Tuesday, Dec. 8 through Friday, Dec. 11. “Nighttime takeoffs will occur between 4:30-6:30 p.m. and nighttime landings will occur between 6:00-8:00 p.m.,” the news release says. […]

The post Vermont Air National Guard announces F-35 night flying operations first appeared on Defence Blog.

The Swiss Federal Office of Armaments received an official offer prepared by U.S. Government and Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martin Corp. to provide 5th generation fighter jet capabilities to the Swiss Air Force. The F-35 proposal is a total package offering that includes up to 40 F-35A aircraft, a sustainment solution tailored to Swiss […]

The post Switzerland receives offer to buy 5th generation F-35 jets first appeared on Defence Blog.