DefenceTalkA US F-35 stealth fighter plane was completely destroyed in a crash during training on Friday, officials said. The pilot safely ejected. The crash is the first of its kind for the troubled F-35 program, marking an unfortunate moment for the most expensive plane in history. The Marine Corps said in a statement that a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-stealth-fighter-crashes-for-the-first-time-71880/

DefenceTalkMoscow on Monday announced new security measures to protect its military in Syria, including supplying the Syrian army with an S-300 air defence system and jamming radars of nearby warplanes following the downing of a Russian plane last week. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said President Vladimir Putin ordered additional security measures after a Syrian Soviet-era […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-boosts-syrian-air-defence-after-plane-shot-down-71878/

DefenceTalkPARIS: The French government said on Sunday it feared damage to its relations with India after former president Francois Hollande’s claims on the Rafale jet deal stirred a controversy. Hollande, who left office in May last year, said on Friday that French jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation had been given no choice about its local partner […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-fears-damage-to-india-ties-after-hollande-fans-controversy-over-rafale-deal-71866/

DefenceTalkDutch F-16 fighter jets will end bombing missions against Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria at the end of the year, the Netherlands government said Friday. “Cabinet has decided not to prolong the use of F-16’s in the fight against Islamic State past Dec. 31,” the Dutch cabinet said in a statement. Four Dutch F-16s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dutch-soon-to-pull-fighter-jets-striking-is-targets-71854/

DefenceTalkIran unveiled a new domestic fighter jet with President Hassan Rouhani saying Tehran’s military strength was only designed to deter enemies and aimed at creating “lasting peace”. Images broadcast on state television on Tuesday showed Rouhani sitting in the cockpit of the new Kowsar fourth-generation fighter at the National Defence Industry exhibition in Tehran. State […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-unveils-new-domestic-fighter-jet-71814/

DefenceTalkEurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH CEO, Volker Paltzo, confirmed that an enhanced Eurofighter Typhoon would form a core part of any European future combat air system (FCAS), working hand in hand with any future European fighter programme – manned or unmanned. Speaking during Farnborough International Air Show, Volker Paltzo said: “Eurofighter Typhoon is the benchmark for European […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eurofighter-will-be-natural-bridge-to-european-fcas-71743/

DefenceTalkChina’s J-20 stealth fighter jets have begun their first-ever combat training over the ocean, a spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. “It will help the air force better fulfill its sacred duty of safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” said Shen Jinke, spokesman for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force. The J-20 is China’s fourth-generation medium […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-j-20-stealth-jets-conduct-first-over-the-sea-combat-training-71677/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 program has accomplished the final developmental test flight of the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the program. “Completing F-35 SDD flight test is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the joint government and industry team,” said Vice Adm. Mat Winter, F-35 Program Executive Officer. “Since the first […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-completes-most-comprehensive-flight-test-program-in-aviation-history-71632/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps had gaps between the actual numbers of fighter pilots and authorizations (i.e. funded positions) in fiscal years (FY) 2013 through 2017. In FY 2017 the Air Force’s gap was the widest at 27 percent of authorizations (see fig. above) and is projected to continue through FY […]https://www.defencetalk.com/military-personnel-dod-needs-to-reevaluate-fighter-pilot-workforce-requirements-71626/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force will this summer begin testing a laser that will be mounted on an F-15 warplane, an official said Monday. The Pentagon last year awarded a $26 million contract to Lockheed Martin for a laser program called SHiELD (Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator). The idea is to put a laser system on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/u-s-air-force-to-begin-fighter-mounted-laser-testing-this-summer-71579/