It’s official: The F-35 will not get a new engine anytime soon
After rancorous debate, a new engine for the stealth fighter was already in doubt, but legislation released by congressional appropriators today seemingly puts the issue to rest.
Pentagon finally approves F-35 for full rate production after 5-year delay
The "Milestone C" decision is a crucial moment signifying the department's confidence in the performance of the F-35 and maturity of Lockheed Martin's production system, though the plane has been in service for years.
Honeywell unveils new F-35 thermal management fix as Pentagon hunts for better cooling
“Now that we understand that 80 kilowatts is a must-have, it was the mission of: how do we get there, with the lowest impact to the overall airframe?” Honeywell Aerospace’s Matt Milas told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.
EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb
The designation marks the first time that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.
Polish foreign minister warns Ukraine losses will be Speaker Johnson’s ‘responsibility’
The plea from Radosław Sikorski adds to a chorus of European officials who have grown concerned by Washington’s reluctance to approve the new funding and wider fears that Europe cannot sustain the war effort without American weapon supplies.
Turkish 5th-gen fighter KAAN completes maiden flight
The indigenously-produced fighter "reached an altitude of 8,000 feet and achieved a speed of 230 knots," according to a statement.
Pratt & Whitney targets 2029 for upgraded F-35 engine deliveries
“Like all programs, the continuing resolution has the potential to have an impact. We have not worked through all the details if we had a sequestration scenario,” Pratt & Whitney's Jennifer Latka said about a stalled budget on Capitol Hill. “What I know now is that our schedule is on track, that we have identified funding to continue, and that’s not to say that that situation cannot change.”
Czech Republic joins F-35 ranks, inks ‘most important’ deal with US for 24 aircraft
The Czech government suggested the timing and location of the signing in Prague was affected by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent health issues.
Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move
Lawmakers have not been shy about directly tying Turkey's F-16s to Anakara's approval of Sweden's NATO bid.
Separate from F-35, Emirate’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian deal moving ‘forward,’ exec says
The nearly $3B deal, which was frozen for years in a geopolitical tussle, is making strides, GA-ASI President David Alexander told Breaking Defense.
Lockheed expects more F-35 upgrade delays, tempering 2024 deliveries
As many as 120 F-35s could be “undelivered” in 2024 as a result of delays with the stealth fighter's Technology Refresh 3 upgrade, according to Lockheed Martin Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave.
Dassault CEO talks Saudi interest in Rafale, takes a shot at F-35 and reveals FCAS details
A simmering dispute between London and Berlin over exporting Eurofighter Typhoons to Saudi Arabia could pave the way for Dassault's rival Rafale offer to succeed, Eric Trappier suggested.
Belgium presented with first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
In all, Brussels expects to receive 34 F-35s in what was previously estimated to be a $6.3 billion deal.
Portugal’s air force chief has a ‘vision’ for the F-35, but for now it’s just that
“This is a vision for the future, so there is currently no process of acquiring aircraft to replace the F-16s,” a spokesperson from the office of Portugal’s defense minister Helena Carreiras, told Breaking Defense.
Emirati firm to put missiles on MQ-9B, as US official says SkyGuardian, F-35 deal still ‘on the table’
A nearly $3 billion deal for 18 MQ-9B SkyGuardians was put on hold by the Biden administration, linked to concerns over the Gulf nation's embrace of Chinese wireless tech.