DefenceTalkThe 26 Air Force F-35s Lightning II joint strike fighters assigned here returned to limited flight operations July 17 with the approval of commanders and Air Force airworthiness authorities. The decision to return to flight was coordinated between the F-35 Joint Program Office, Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command and Air Force Materiel […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35s-return-to-limited-flight-operations-60207/

DefenceTalkThe combined efforts of Hill Air Force Base’s Ogden Air Logistics Complex, F-16 System Program Office, Defense Logistics Agency and several other Defense Department organizations will culminate in the initial delivery of three of 24 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to the government of Indonesia July 14. The Indonesian government will accept delivery of one F-16C […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hill-afb-plays-key-role-in-delivering-f-16s-to-indonesia-60133/

DefenceTalkAgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has signed a contract for two AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters. These helicopters, which will be delivered by the end of 2015, will be operated by the Bangladesh Air Force to perform maritime search and rescue (SAR) and other […]https://www.defencetalk.com/bangladesh-air-force-orders-two-aw139-helicopters-60128/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force released its Long Range Strike Bomber, or LRS-B, request for proposal to industry July 9 with a contract award expected in spring 2015. The new bomber is a top modernization priority for the Air Force and will provide the United States with the option to hold any target at risk at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-moves-forward-with-future-bomber-60126/

DefenceTalkAir Force Global Strike Command met a major milestone June 16, when maintainers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, removed the last multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle in the Air Force intercontinental ballistic missile inventory from a Minuteman III. The reentry vehicle is the portion of the missile that houses the nuclear warhead. Re-configuring the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/malmstrom-afb-completes-final-minuteman-iii-missile-configuration-59958/

DefenceTalkAir Force Secretary Deborah Lee James today outlined new incentives and measures designed to change the culture of the service’s nuclear force. Following a cheating scandal involving intercontinental ballistic missile launch officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and the subsequent relief of nine officers, a commander’s retirement and 91 other airmen receiving discipline, James […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-secretary-outlines-changes-for-nuclear-force-59953/

DefenceTalkMalaysia: Exercise Cope Taufan kicked off today, a biennial Large Force Employment exercise between the Royal Malaysian Air Force and Pacific Air Forces. More than 450 Airmen are participating, as well as four U.S. Air Force airframes, which includes the inaugural deployment of the F-22 Raptor to a Southeast Asian exercise. The Hawaii National Guard’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-22s-deploy-to-malaysia-for-exercise-59864/

DefenceTalkAir Force Secretary Deborah Lee James outlined April 30 the service’s progress in leveraging the talent and capabilities of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve within the total force concept. James, along with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, testified at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. A […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-secretary-reports-on-total-force-balance-59459/

DefenceTalkHANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE: The Air Force successfully completed the first Maritime Modes program risk reduction flight last week as the Service moves toward providing a new air-sea battle surveillance capability. The test flight, which took place in the airspace above the Navy’s Point Mugu sea range in California, consisted of an 11-and-a-half-hour sortie on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airpower-above-water-air-force-tests-new-surveillance-capability-59439/

DefenceTalkA US Air Force research team is in the process of beta-testing Google Glass headsets for possible utilization in battlefield scenarios. The BATMAN evaluation group at the US Air Force’s 711th Human Performance Wing is a highly-distinguished military research and development faction. According to VentureBeat, that unit is interested in Google Glass for its ability […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-researchers-test-google-glass-for-combat-intelligence-missions-59296/