May 26, 2016
Testing for the F-35's production-standard, Block 3F software is currently about a year behind schedule, with final testing expected to be completed sometime in 2018. This delay will likely postpone the airplane's planned production ramp-up.
http://247wallst.com/aerospace-defense/2016/05/25/lockheed-f-35-production-delayed-until-at-least-2018/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/f-35-block-3f-test-schedule-slips-as-lot-9-10-contra-425713/
The first two Dutch F-35s touched down in the Netherlands for the first time this week.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/31680674/dutch-f-35-jets-touch-down-for-european-air-show-debut/
A third Australian F-35 pilot has completed his qualification training to fly the F-35.
http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/05/24/13/04/3rd-raaf-pilot-qualifies-to-fly-f-35
The U.S. DoD is investigating the "unsafe" intercept last week of a U.S. surveillance plane by two Chinese fighter jets over the South China Sea. U.S. officials report that two Chinese J-11 (Su-27) fighters intercepted the EP-3 Aries aircraft in international air space, coming so close that the U.S. pilot had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/19/asia-pacific/fighters-came-50-feet-u-s-spy-plane-forcing-evasive-dive-south-china-sea-pentagon/
A new report on the "Dynamics of International Military Modernization" suggests that a growing push to develop domestic defense industries is likely to cut into U.S. and European global weapons sales during the next decade - citing emerging industrial powers in South Korea and Brazil among the new competitors.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/industry/2016/05/24/western-defense-industry-future-imperiled-local-programs-avascent/84861496/
South Korea is close to down-selecting between the Eurojet EJ200 and GE's F414 engine to power the Korean Fighter Experimental (KFX) stealth fighter program currently in the early stages of development.
http://www.janes.com/article/60466/south-korea-set-to-select-foreign-engine-for-kfx-fighter
In the latest turn in a prolonged saga, France has reportedly refused to provide government-guaranteed loans to fund the proposed sale of 36 Rafale fighters to India, potentially putting the sale in jeopardy.
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/rafale-deal-hits-roadblock-france-refuses-give-bank-guarantee-680065
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/05/20/bureaucratic-paralysis-hits-rafale-deal/84483312/
President Obama announced that the U.S. would be lifting its previous weapons embargo against Vietnam during a state visit this past week, leading to speculation that the communist government might soon be requesting F-16 fighters and P-3 Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft, as it seeks to strengthen its defenses in the shadow of its Chinese neighbor.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/05/25/vietnam-may-request-f-16s-p-3-orions-us/84904786/
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