March 3, 2016
The U.S. Air Force has dropped laser-guided bombs from the F-35 for the first time during flight test this past week.
https://www.rt.com/usa/334285-lockheed-f35-deploys-bombs/
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2016/03/01/air-force-combat-units-drop-bombs-from-f-35a/
A Norwegian pilot who is part of the F-35 flight test program has published a review of the F-35's handling qualities, in which he praises the superior high angle-of-attack control qualities of the F-35's fly-by-wire control system.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19732/pilot-f-35-dogfighting/
The Israeli Cabinet is reportedly considering a motion to cancel or delay their existing order for F-35 fighters, due to the cost of the aircraft and its lack of combat-readiness at the present time.
http://www.menewsline.com/article-36445-Israel-Quietly-Debates-JSF.aspx
Israeli officials have been considering an alternative buy of advanced F-15 fighters, rather than dedicating all of their U.S.-supplied military aid towards purchasing more F-35s. The Obama administration has reportedly resisted such a buy. This, combined with Israeli opposition to selling the F-15 to Qatar - one of the few remaining nations currently contemplating a purchase of new F-15s - is expected to result in the shut-down of the F-15 production line within the next two years.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/air-force/2016/02/28/israels-angst-over-qatar-sale-could-end-boeings-f-15-line/80895346/
The Kuwaiti parliament has approved the purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon, paving the way for payment on the order to begin.
http://www.janes.com/article/58452/kuwaiti-parliament-approves-typhoon-procurement
Industry analysts have been suggesting that Russia's PAK-FA stealth fighter prototype was a 5th-generation fighter "in name only." Among other shortcomings, reports suggesting that the new "stealth" fighter had a radar cross section of between 0.3 and 0.5 square meters - an order of magnitude greater than what has been reported for U.S. stealth fighters.
http://www.businessinsider.in/Russias-newest-fighter-jet-is-fifth-generation-in-name-only/articleshow/51131234.cms
Even as Russian developers struggle to bring the PAK-FA into service, Russian officials have announced that Sukhoi has begun design studies for a proposed "6th generation" fighter that would be introduced in the mid-2020s.
http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-unveils-6th-generation-fighter-jet-designs-compete-us-2328854
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