March 23, 2017
A preliminary report is expected in the next few weeks on a proposed fix for the F-35C's nose gear issues, which have made catapult launches unsafe for lightly loaded aircraft.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/lockheed-working-on-solution-for-f-35-nose-gear-issue
Shay Assad, the Pentagon's Director of Defense Pricing has announced plans for a major review of the F-35 program costs, with an emphasis on finding new cost saving opportunities.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/top-pentagon-official-takes-aim-at-f-35-cost-supply-chain
The Russian Air Force expects to begin receiving the first six production copies of the PAK-FA later this year.
http://www.pravdareport.com/news/russia/economics/22-03-2017/137174-pakfa_fifth_generation-0/
https://sputniknews.com/military/201703221051833876-russia-aerospace-t50-procurement/
The U.S. Air Force is beginning to evaluate proposals for retiring some of its oldest F-15C/D fighters in the mid-2020s.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/03/22/air-force-retire-f15cd-fighter-mid-2020s.html
Chinese air traffic controllers issued warnings to U.S. B-1B pilots flying over the East China Sea. The U.S. deployed the B-1Bs to the area, following North Korean missile tests. The U.S. has refused to recognize Chinese territorial claims throughout this region.
http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/112715/20170323/beijing-issues-warning-u-s-b1-bomber-flies-over-east.htm
China's government has registered its continued opposition to proposed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. This includes the possible sale of jet fighters or jet fighter technology - which the United States had refused to sell to Taiwan under the previous administration.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-warns-us-over-arms-sales-to-taiwan/articleshow/57734275.cms
Chinese officials continue to suggest that strides are being made towards developing a domestically produced, Chinese jet engine for China's J-20 stealth fighter, although no firm timetables for production have been announced.
www.chinatopix.com/articles/112686/20170322/russian-saturn-al-31f-aircraft-engine-china-j-20-stealth-fighter-powder-metallurgy.htm
France's Rafale fighter is reportedly the leading candidate to replace Malaysia's aging MiG-29 fighter fleet. The Eurofighter Typhoon, Sweden's Gripen, and Russia's Su-35 are also being offered as contendors. Malaysia is looking to purchase up to 18 aircraft.
http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/03/23/rafale-appears-in-the-lead-as-malaysia-seeks-new-fighter-jets/
The Philippines expects to receive its final batch of South Korean produced FA-50 fighters in May. The Philippenes has twelve aircraft on order, and is contemplating a further six.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/883190/afp-final-batch-of-fa-50-fighter-jets-delivered-by-may
http://www.update.ph/2017/03/ph-military-ponders-acquiring-6-more-fa-50phs/16086
India expects to receive some 123 domestically produced Tejas fighters by the mid-2020s. The Tejas Mk1A is currently in production, powered by the GE F404 engine.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-force-likely-to-get-123-lca-tejas-by-2024-25/article17532355.ece
Russian news sources have suggested that Russia and India are close to an agreement for the next phase of joint fighter development - aimed at delivering a version of the PAK-FA stealth fighter to India.
https://sputniknews.com/world/201703171051698085-russia-india-fighter-jet/
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