DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense announced today the consolidation of some U.S. infrastructure in Europe, including the return of 15 sites to their host nations. These actions, taken as part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process, will save the U.S. government approximately $500 million annually. The DoD also announced the first F-35 basing in Europe […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-announces-european-infrastructure-consolidation-actions-and-f-35-basing-in-europe-61812/

DefenceTalkRAF Lakenheath in Suffolk will become home to the first 2 US F-35 fighter jet squadrons in Europe. The US Department of Defense has announced that RAF Lakenheath will become home to the first 2 US F-35 squadrons in Europe with the first aircraft due to arrive in 2020. The announcement is part of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-announces-first-f-35-in-europe-to-be-based-in-the-uk-61343/

DefenceTalkA new squadron of 19 F-35 jets will be incorporated into the Israeli Air Force beginning in 2019 after the decision to purchase another set of planes was confirmed by the IAF and government officials. These newly engineered fighters are a step up compared to the F-16I, especially with the addition of new state-of-the-art stealth […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-f-35-fighters-to-join-israeli-air-force-in-2019-61285/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon’s fighter jet F-35 may not be fully operational until 2019 due to a newly discovered computer glitch. The $400 billion ultra-sophisticated jet, the most expensive in US history, was expected to enter service in 2015. F-35 is the fifth generation combat aircraft which is designed in three variations for US Air Force, Navy […]https://www.defencetalk.com/computer-glitch-prevents-us-most-advanced-f-35-fighter-jet-from-firing-until-2019-report-61223/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense accepted its final F-35 Lightning II aircraft delivery for 2014 today meeting the program production goal of 36 aircraft. With the last delivery for this year, the government, Lockheed Martin and industry team has delivered 109 operational aircraft to the U.S. and partner nations since the program’s inception. The 36th delivery, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-lightning-ii-program-meets-aircraft-production-goal-for-2014-61202/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program office announced today the European locations for heavy engine and heavy air frame maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade facilities. “In the European region, F-35 initial air frame MROU capability will be provided by Italy by 2018,” Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told reporters. Bogdan is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-european-maintenance-sites-announced-61122/

DefenceTalkThe establishment of a second F-35 stealth fighters squadron was approved by the Israeli government earlier this week, after a two-year long process. In addition, the government approved the acquisition of precision-guided munitions. The first of the 14 stealth fighters of the second squadron are scheduled to land in Israel in 2019 and will join […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-airforce-details-f-35-plans-61100/

DefenceTalkThe F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter conducted its first carrier-based night flight operations aboard an aircraft carrier off the coast of San Diego Nov. 13. Navy test pilot Lt. Cmdr. Ted “Dutch” Dyckman piloted F-35C test aircraft CF-03 for the inaugural night flight, taking off from USS Nimitz (CVN 68). At 6:01 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35c-completes-first-night-flight-aboard-aircraft-carrier-61010/

DefenceTalkThe F-35C Lightning II, the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, continues initial sea trials aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) off the coast of Southern California. Through Nov. 6, the fourth day of at-sea testing, two test F-35C aircraft have completed 12 flights. During those 12 flights, the aircraft flew a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35c-initial-at-sea-testing-progressing-aboard-uss-nimitz-60991/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon will buy another 43 F-35 fighter jets worth roughly $4 billion from aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, officials said Tuesday, four months after it was briefly grounded following an engine fire. Although final details have to be worked out, the “handshake agreement” will mean the price of each plane will drop slightly within America’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-agrees-deal-to-buy-43-more-f-35-fighters-pentagon-60894/