August 25, 2016
The F-35 program recently completed 25 weapons tests in a single month - compared to only three in November of 2014. During this period, some 30 weapons were fired or released, including Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs), the AIM-120 air-to-air missile, and the AIM-9X air-to-air missile.
http://breakingdefense.com/2016/08/f-35-racks-up-weapons-tests/
Despite the recent surge in F-35 weapons integration tests, the Pentagon's Director of Operational Testing, Michael Gilmore has warned that the F-35 was "on a path toward failing to deliver."
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-24/lockheed-s-f-35-still-falls-short-pentagon-s-chief-tester-says
A study commissioned by Canada's new government reports that Canada could withdraw from the F-35 program by paying a little over $300 million in termination fees, and providing 90 days notice. To date, Canada's recently elected Liberal party has deferred production orders for the F-35, but has not formally withdrawn from the program. Liberal party politicians campaigned on a promise to withraw from the program.
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/f-35-exit-strategy-canada-could-pay-about-313m-to-pull-out-of-jet-program-defence-documents-show
U.S. F-22 Raptors were called in to escort Syrian Su-24 strike jets away from positions in eastern Syria where U.S. special forces were reportedly on the ground, providing assistance to local Syrian-Kurdish armed forces that have been fighting against ISIS. The Syrian strike aircraft reportedly aborted additional air strikes in the area, and returned to base.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/report-us-f-22-raptor-stealth-fighters-flew-commandos%E2%80%99-17429
http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/19/politics/syria-bombing-us-forces/
Following the U.S. Air Force declaration of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the F-35A stealth fighter, the U.S. Air Force has designated Japan for the first overseas deployment of operational F-35A aircraft. The deployment is scheduled to take place in January 2017.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/washington-deploy-f-35-fighter-jets-japan-first-time-ever-outside-us-soil-1577561
Japan has announced plans to upgrade its F-15J fighters to increase the number of air-to-air missiles that the fighter is capable of carrying from eight to sixteen. The move is seen as being a response to increased Chinese air activity near disputed islands in the East China Sea.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Japan-eyes-fiercer-fighter-jets-to-counter-China
South Korea dispatched four F-15K fighters this past week to escort Chinese bombers that had entered South Korea's air defense zone near Jeju Island.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/08/116_212450.html
The Indian government has sought a waiver from France for a contract clause that would have required the Indian government to make an advance payment of some 134 million euros for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-seeks-134-million-euro-waiver-from-france-for-rafale-deal/story-DgoAO9sZW5g44rSkl0t8OO.html
No comments:
Post a Comment