F-35 to Continue with Pratt & Whitney’s F135 Engines
Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine received full funding support from the US Senate Appropriations Committee. F135 will be the base for future 6th gen aircraft.
f-35 News
Engine and Transmission
Air
Ammunition
Norway Arms F-35 with GBU-53/B
The U.S. will sell Small Diameter Bomb II to Norway for an estimated cost of $293 million. Norway will use these bombs in its F-35A fleet.
Air
Thailand Prefers Gripen Over F-16
Rejected by the US to buy F-35s, Thailand prefers Swedish Gripen fighter jets over U.S. F-16s.
Air
Engine and Transmission
Modernisation
Country
GAO Questions Cost Growth and Modernisation Decisions
GAO criticises the F-35 aircraft for the late delivery and high programme cost.
Air
Logistics
Only Half Of the F-35 Fleet is Mission-Ready
U.S. Air Force JSF Programme Director revealed that only about half of the F-35 fighters in the U.S. fleet are ready to perform war missions.
Air
Declining Thai’s F-35 bid, US offers F-16 and F-15 jets
Pentagon has informally declined Thailand’s request to purchase F-35 fighter jets, according to an RTAF source. The US Offers F-16 and F15 to Thailand.
Engine and Transmission
Pentagon Cancels New Engine Programme for F-35 Jets
Pentagon decided not to continue the programme to develop a new engine for the F-35 fighter jet as it was too expensive according to the fiscal 2024 budget.
Air
F-35 Deliveries Resume
The Pentagon has resumed accepting F-35s from Lockheed Martin. Deliveries of the jet were halted following the December crash of an F-35B. Even though a root cause has yet to be identified, the F-35 Joint Program Office stated that acceptances have resumed after implementing mitigation efforts for one identified engine issue.
Air
Defence Politics
Lockheed Martin Presents the F-35 as a Standard NATO fighter
By 2030 there will be 450 F-35 stealth fighter jets across all NATO member bases. This fifth-generation fighter will enhance the coalition through joint equipment, missions and training. The Company presents the aircraft as more than a stealth fighter; it is also a formidable political statement for coalition unity. Lockheed Martin intends to confirm the F-35 as a standard NATO fighter. This standard choice of aircraft, which will be present in fleets across NATO member bases and those of their allies, has become a symbol of “diplomacy in action”, Lockheed Martin has stated.
Air
Bilateral Relations
Menendez signed for Greek F-35s
Bob Menendez, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, stated that he supported Greece to acquire F-35.
Air
Bilateral Relations
Two birds with one stone: F35 to Greece, F-16 to Turkiye; a $20 billion sale
The Biden administration has announced that it is preparing to ask Congress for permission to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye.
Air
Bilateral Relations
The Netherlands Deploys F-35 to Poland
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) will deploy F-35 Lightning II jets to Poland for the NATO Enhanced Air Policing Mission.
Engine and Transmission
Pentagon Suspends Deliveries of F-35 Engines
According to Defence News, Pratt & Whitney has suspended deliveries of a new F135 engine for the F-35 Lightning II jets.
Air
Saab Gripen and F-16V Struggle for the PAF
Saab is struggling to win a project to procure 12 new fighter jets in the Philippine Air Force, but its opponent is Lockheed Martin’s F-16V from the U.S.
