DefenceTalkTo a pilot, a radar is only as useful as the information it provides, and Northrop Grumman’s Big SAR (synthetic aperture radar) mapping for the Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) delivers the largest, sharpest radar images ever available in an F-16. The company’s SABR has successfully demonstrated several advanced radar capabilities for the F-16, including […]https://www.defencetalk.com/northrops-sabr-gives-f-16-pilots-the-big-picture-47526/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress April 16 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for 1 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $371 million. The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of 1 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, 4 turbofan […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kuwait-to-buy-c-17-globemaster-iii-47510/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday cancelled a new combat medal for US troops who launch drone strikes or cyber attacks after a torrent of criticism from veterans and lawmakers. Hagel opted to scrap the new “Distinguished Warfare Medal” for a pin or device that could be added to existing medals to recognize service members […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-calls-off-new-medal-for-drone-cyber-warriors-47504/

DefenceTalkA few months after the D-Day invasion in June 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower surveyed the Normandy beaches with his son. “You’d never get away with this if you didn’t have air supremacy,” then 2nd Lt. John Eisenhower told his father. “Without air supremacy,” the elder Eisenhower replied, “I wouldn’t be here.” The United States […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-superiority-advantage-over-enemy-skies-for-60-years-47489/

DefenceTalkThe Boeing X-48C research aircraft flew for the 30th and final time April 9, marking the successful completion of an eight-month flight-test program to explore and further validate the aerodynamic characteristics of the Blended Wing Body design concept. All 30 flights were conducted at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. The X-48C typically flew for approximately […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-x-48c-blended-wing-body-research-aircraft-completes-flight-testing-47481/

DefenceTalkFive JAS-39 Gripen aircraft and six pilots have successfully completed 80 refueling contacts with German Airbus 310 MRTT tanker in training within ATARES Program. “The training has increased number of Czech pilots who are able to refuel in the air and advanced capabilities of our flight and, at the same time, advanced combat skills of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/gripens-train-air-to-air-refuelling-from-german-tanker-47487/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force’s $114.1 billion fiscal 2014 budget request will provide for the most capable airpower arm possible, the Air Force chief of staff said here today. Testifying with Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told the House Armed Services Committee his service’s portion of DOD’s fiscal 2014 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/budget-request-provides-for-best-air-force-possible-welsh-says-47492/

DefenceTalkGermany is in talks with Israel to buy weaponized drones for its military that are seen as more technologically advanced than US ones, the weekly Der Spiegel reported. The news magazine’s Monday edition said the German defence ministry had already held two meetings with Israeli military officials, in November 2012 and February 2013, on the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-looking-to-buy-weaponised-drones-from-israel-47468/

DefenceTalkAgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has officially unveiled the latest generation AW169 AAS military helicopter during a dedicated ceremony held at the Army Aviation Association of America Annual Professional Forum and Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas (April 10th-13th) today. The AW169 AAS is an advanced twin-engine helicopter with the capability to meet all US Army Armed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/agustawestland-unveils-the-aw169-aas-47454/

DefenceTalkThe shadow of sequestration in 2013 and ongoing fiscal uncertainty will affect critical programs and objectives for years to come, Air Force officials said yesterday at a Pentagon briefing on the service’s fiscal year 2014 budget request. While Air Force officials have scrambled to minimize impacts on readiness and people, the bow-wave of reductions, deferments, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-budget-official-outlines-fiscal-2014-funding-request-47452/