DefenceTalkNELLIS AIR FORCE BASE: F-35A Lightning IIs from the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron played the U.S. Army’s primary close air support platform during the latest iteration of the Green Flag exercise, GF 15-08, as the Air Force’s program works toward its goal of declaring initial operational capability by the end of this year. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/31st-tes-f-35s-take-on-green-flag-15-08-64714/

DefenceTalkTurkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced five defense projects on Wednesday, following a Defense Industry Executive Committee meeting in Ankara. Davutoglu said that Turkey would order four more fifth generation stealth F-35s, which will be the new front line fighters of the Turkish Air Force. “We will have four more next generation F-35 fighters, of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-prime-minister-announces-major-defense-projects-61805/

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/

DefenceTalkThe 58th Fighter Squadron became the Air Force’s first complete F-35A Lightning II squadron after they welcomed their 26th and final F-35A May 28 at the 33rd Fighter Wing, here. Maj. Scott Charlton, 58th FS pilot, ferried the aircraft, AF-45, from Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production center in Fort Worth, Texas. “We’ve been in a growth […]https://www.defencetalk.com/final-f-35a-delivered-to-eglin-afb-59762/

DefenceTalkThe top three acquisition priorities for the Air Force are the KC-46A aerial tanker, the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and the Long Range Strike Bomber, officials told members of Congress during a hearing of House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on seapower and projections forces, April 2. “On any given day, the Air Force’s mobility aircraft […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-leaders-insist-new-tanker-is-key-to-airpower-59224/

DefenceTalkThe Republic of Korea has formally selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program. “We are honored by and appreciate the trust and confidence the Republic of Korea has placed in the 5th Generation F-35 to meet its demanding security requirements. We look forward to supporting the discussions between […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-selects-lockheed-martin-f-35a-lightning-ii-59127/

DefenceTalkThe first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing was officially delivered during a ceremony attended by dignitaries and hundreds of local civic leaders, wing military and civilian members here today. The F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing variant, known as LF 5030, is the first of 144 F-35As scheduled for delivery […]https://www.defencetalk.com/luke-air-force-base-receives-first-f-35a-lightning-ii-59051/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 Lightning II executed its first live-fire launch of a guided air-to-air missile over a military test range off the California coast on Oct. 30. The AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) was fired from an F-35A (AF-6) conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant fighter operating from the F-35 Integrated Test Facility at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35a-conducts-first-live-fire-with-amraam-49554/

DefenceTalkAn F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed the first in-flight missile launch of an AIM-120 over the Point Mugu Sea Test Range, June 5. It was the first launch where the F-35 and AIM-120 demonstrated a successful launch-to-eject communications sequence and fired the rocket motor after launch — paving the way for targeted launches […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35a-completes-1st-in-flight-missile-launch-48060/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force announced today it expects to declare F-35A Lightning II initial operation capability in December 2016. The announcement was included in a joint report detailing service-specific IOC requirements and dates for each of the F-35 variants that was delivered to Congress today. “The Air Force has spent the last six months looking at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-establishes-f-35-ioc-target-47997/