DefenceTalkJERUSALEM: Israel’ military on Wednesday declared its newly acquired F-35 stealth fighters operational, making it the first country outside of the United States to put the ultra hi-tech jets into service. The Israeli Air Force currently has nine jets out of the total of 50 it has agreed to buy. The aim of the purchase […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-says-f-35-stealth-fighter-jets-operational-70965/

DefenceTalkMISAWA AIR BASE, Japan: A Defense Contract Management Agency government flight representative landed the first Japanese-made F-35B on Misawa AB’s runway, Nov. 2. Maj. Elijah Supper piloted the brand-new aircraft from the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Komaki South F-35 Final Assembly and Check Out facility. “This F-35 is one of the most clean and well-built aircraft […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-japanese-built-f-35b-lands-at-misawa-ab-70817/

DefenceTalkTwo B-2 Spirit stealth bombers joined B-1B Lancers and B-52H Stratofortresses June 9, 2017, to participate in theater bomber assurance and deterrence operations. Three B-52Hs from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and three B-1Bs from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, along with approximately 800 Airmen, are currently supporting exercises Saber Strike and Baltic Operations in the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-b-2-spirit-stealth-bombers-arrive-in-uk-70168/

DefenceTalkThe F-22 completed operational tests of air-to-air missiles against an aerial target April 18 at the Utah Test and Training Range as part of a major capability upgrade. The Raptors launched inert AIM-9 and AIM-120 missiles against multiple BQM-167A sub-scale aerial targets, marking a significant effort along the 3.2B initial operational test and evaluation upgrade […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-22-raptors-take-out-aerial-targets-in-missile-tests-69904/

DefenceTalkThe Upgraded Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) is Approved for Installation at F-35 Sites Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) next iteration of the F-35’s Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) has been approved for installation at U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy F-35 sites. Along with a number of improvements to the system’s baseline, the upgrade delivers […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-martin-delivers-new-capabilities-for-f-35-logistics-system-69832/

DefenceTalkTwo of the US Air Force’s most advanced warplanes, F-35 stealth fighters, landed for the first time in Estonia on Tuesday for exercises in the small NATO state amid tensions with neighbouring Russia. The move was seen by Estonian defence officials as a gesture underscoring Washington’s commitment to its NATO partners. Rhetoric by US President […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-sends-stealth-fighters-to-russias-backyard-for-nato-drills-69828/

DefenceTalkIsrael is to take delivery of three more F-35 stealth fighters from the United States on Sunday, adding to two that arrived in December, an army statement said. They are among 50 that Israel has agreed to buy from aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. US President Donald Trump has publicly upbraided Lockheed over “out of control” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-to-get-3-more-f-35-fighter-jets-on-sunday-army-69791/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 still has a long way to go before it will be ready for combat. That was the parting message of Dr. Michael Gilmore, the now-retired Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, in his last annual report. The Joint Strike Fighter Program has already consumed more than $100 billion and nearly 25 years. Just […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-joint-strike-fighter-program-continues-to-stumble-69627/

DefenceTalkThe Chengdu J-20, China’s independently developed fourth-generation stealth fighter has entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), as revealed by the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) on March 9. Early in 2011, the J-20 stealth fighter made its maiden flight in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. In November last year, the J-20 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-stealth-fighter-j-20-enters-air-force-service-69472/

DefenceTalkStealth isn’t new in the Air Force; but, stealth combined with the multirole capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II is proving to be a game changer in the Nevada desert. Units from across the Air Force have converged here for Red Flag 17-1, the Air Force’s premier air combat exercise, which pits a friendly force […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35a-stealth-brings-flexibility-to-battlespace-69105/