DefenceTalkDefence Secretary Michael Fallon today announced that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has reached agreement in principle on an order for the first production batch of four Lightning II stealth combat aircraft – which will operate from both the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers and RAF land bases. A formal contract is expected to be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-mod-set-to-order-its-first-batch-of-f-35-lightning-ii-combat-aircraft-60884/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin have reached an agreement in principle for the production of 43 F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Officials anticipate the Low-Rate Initial Production lot 8 (LRIP 8) contract to be finalized in the coming weeks. The contract is for fiscal year 2014 with deliveries beginning in 2016. Cost details […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-and-lockheed-announce-principle-agreement-on-purchase-of-f-35s-60882/

DefenceTalkThe Republic of Korea finalized its formal selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program, announcing its intent to sign the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) between the U.S. and Korean governments for 40 F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing variant jets with initial deliveries beginning in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-approves-procurement-of-lockheed-f-35a-lightning-ii-60640/

DefenceTalkFor the first time the leaders of the multinational F-35-program will meet in Norway. This happens as all nine partner nations in the program assemble in Oslo for their second JSF steering board of 2014. The F-35 Program is expected to deliver around 3,000 aircraft for the nine partner nations as well as several direct […]https://www.defencetalk.com/norway-opens-f-35-summit-to-media-60550/

DefenceTalkJust the other day it was reported that one of the bedrocks of U.S. air power, the F-16 fleet, had a major problem. Apparently, in late July, cracks were discovered on the canopy sill longeron of an F-16D. This is part of the frame of the aircraft that surrounds the cockpit area. The longeron is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/where-are-the-f-35s-critics-when-the-f-16-develops-fuselage-cracks-60423/

DefenceTalkA group of major Japanese firms are planning a test flight next year for the nation’s first homegrown stealth fighter jet, a report said Tuesday. The consortium — led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — is developing a jet that has similar technology to US-made F-35 stealth fighters, with a prototype set for a test run […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-to-test-first-homegrown-stealth-fighter-jet-report-60350/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 Joint Program Office has selected the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center to perform independent software safety analyses of the next-generation strike aircraft commonly called the Joint Strike Fighter. The single-engine, single-seat F-35 will be manufactured in three versions: a conventional-takeoff-and-landing variant for the Air Force, an aircraft-carrier variant […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-selected-for-joint-strike-fighter-software-assessment-60345/

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 Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems, LLC, Gen III Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), which provides unprecedented situational awareness for fighter pilots, has been delivered to Lockheed Martin for software integration into the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The Gen III HMDS will be integrated into Low Rate Initial Production 7 for the F-35 program. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-helmet-delivered-for-software-integration-60171/

DefenceTalkWhile the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter has returned to limited flying, it will not be appearing at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said during a Pentagon news conference today. The F-35 fleet was grounded July 3 in the wake of a June […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-returns-to-limited-flight-officials-rule-out-farnborough-60163/