Thursday, March 9, 2017

Fighter Jet Times - March 9, 2017

March 9, 2017


Although the problem has been corrected in later models, early production editions of the F-35 still lack the lightening protection needed to fly during thunderstorms.  This was a shortcoming that recently came to light in Australia, where two early production F-35As had to be grounded from an air show performance due to the possibility of thunderstorms in the area.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/why-australia-wont-let-its-stealth-f-35-lightning-iis-fly-19706


Flight tests for the new engine being developed for Russia's PAK-FA stealth fighter have reportedly been deferred until 2018.
http://mil.today/2017/Weapons43/


A flotilla of Chinese war ships passed through the Taiwan straight this past week, on their way towards military maneuvers near a disputed Japanese island.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/03/05/2003666172


Japanese warplanes were scrambled to intercept a Chinese bomber near Okinawa this past week.
https://www.rt.com/news/379212-china-japan-warplanes-okinawa/


Speaking aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the South China Sea, Rear Adm. James Kilby reaffirmed that the United States would maintain its freedom of navigation exercises throughout the South China Sea waters that are being claimed by China.
http://www.voanews.com/a/us-admiral-in-disputed-south-china-sea-we-will-be-here-/3748221.html


China has officially affirmed plans to boost military spending in 2017 by 7 percent.
http://timesofoman.com/article/104308/World/Asia/China-confirms-7-per-cent-rise-increase-in-2017-defence-budget


China's second aircraft carrier, the first to be built entirely in China, is expected to be released from dry dock within the next few weeks.  A third, larger Chinese aircraft carrier is already under construction.
http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/china-is-about-to-launch-its-second-aircraft-carrier-001a/news-story/ce97a88eba53b00ea37892698b12504c
http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/china-will-use-steam-catapults-on-its.html


Iranian media is claiming that the Qaher 313 fighter, first shown as a fiberglass mock-up some years ago, is expected to enter flight test next year.  The claims have continued to be met with skepticism by technical experts in the West.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18618/Iran_s__Radar_Evading__Qaher_313_Fighter_Jet_Enters_Final_Production_Stage#.WL_xStQrLs0


The British Ministry of Defense has awarded a series of contracts to deploy an integrated air defense system to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.  The islands were the site of a war between Argentina and the UK in 1982, and are currently home to a squadron of RAF Typhoon fighters.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/britain-beefs-up-defenses-in-the-falkland-islands

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