U.S. may allow India to join JSF program if it chooses

Pentagon acquisitions Chief Ashton Carter has said that the United States is open to Indian participation in, and potential purchase of, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. However, he reiterated that the decision to pursue the F-35 is India's alone.

Turkey may buy 116 F-35s; build own fighter

Despite reports that Turkey's government is reviewing its JSF commitment, its Defence Minister has said that the Turkish Air Force may buy up to 116 F-35s. The NATO member is also looking to develop its own combat aircraft, either with a partner country or by itself.

Final F-35A development aircraft arrives at Edwards

After a 3.2-hour ferry flight from Fort Worth, AF-4, the last F-35A conventional takeoff and landing development aircraft has arrived at Edwards AFB, Ca for testing. To date, the F-35 program has achieved 578 total test flights.

FY 2012 could boost new USAF bomber; F-16 & F-15 upgrades

After $34 billion of projects to cut in order to fund higher-priority initiatives, Fiscal Year 2012 could see the USAF prioritise work on the new long-range bomber as well F-15 and F-16 upgrades, the latter to mitigate against the F-35's delays.

More on the F135 engine screech problem

DoD Buzz has more regarding the recently disclosed 'screech' problem with the F-35's Pratt and Whitney F135 engine, P&W's solution as well as GE/RR's opinion on the whole issue.

J-20 emergence re-ignites Asia's interest in the F-35

Even as new problems surface for the troubled JSF program, the unexpected appearance of the Chinese J-20 has reportedly re-ignited interest towards the F-35 from East Asia's air forces. According to Lockheed-Martin, Japan, Singapore and South Korea have recently held bilateral talks with the US government on potential F-35 sales.

Previously undiclosed F-35 problems revealed

More woes for the JSF. The Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation has issued a report outlining previously undisclosed problems with the F-35's handling, avionics, afterburner and helmet-mounted display. Some prblems affect only the F-35A and Bs, but the others affect the common engine and helmet-mounted display.

F-35B Shows Progress With 5 Vertical Landings

Analysts have opined that five vertical landings over eight days shows that the troubled F-35B Joint Strike Fighter is getting back on track. The tests, performed between Jan. 6 and 13, are among the 42 that must be completed before the aircraft can be tested at sea on board an amphibious assault ship.

Gates suggest fighter options for Japan

American Defense Secretary has suggested Japan should consider either the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F/A-18 Hornet and the F-15 Eagle for its next fighter during talks with the Japanese Defence Minister. Japan is taking stock of its defense hardware in the face of China's growing military might and assertive stance in the Pacific.

Design changes raises pressure on F-35B future

Flightglobal looks at the latest changes in the design of the F-35B STOVL variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, and how the variant's continued problems could ultimately lead to its cancellation altogether if the issues are not sorted.

VIDEO: F-35B makes first vertical landing since August 2010

On the same day that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates put the F-35B on "probation", the 2nd test aircraft, known as BF-02 did something the F-35Bs haven't done since August: make a vertical landing. This after Lockheed Martin announced it had solved the hinge door issue which caused the moratorium on vertical landings.

Gates: Chinese fighter progress underestimated, but US still has edge

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that American intelligence had probably underestimated how fast China was developing a stealth-capable fighter. However he reiterated that American intelligence had been watching these developments and that in the next decade or so the U.S. will still have a big lead in the number of deployed fifth-generation fighters.

Pratt forsees slowdown in sales due to US budget pressures

The CEO of US aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney forsees a slowdown in the growth of engine sales due to budget pressures on the F-35 JSF program. However P&W still sees the F-135 engine program as a growth area for the company.

Pentagon cost review: F-35B to be redesigned, put on probation

Some aviation-related takeaways from US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speech on on cost reviews at the Pentagon.

• The F-35B STOVL remains the only JSF model behind schedule. Redesign of the variant's structure and propulsion may be needed.
  
  
• The F-35B will be put on probation for two years, cancellation at the end of the probation period will remain a possiblity.
  
  
• More F/A-18E/Fs will be purchased for the Navy to cover fighter gaps due to F-35 delays.
  
  
• 150 (legacy?) F/A-18s will have their service lives extended. (also due to F-35 delays)
  
  
• The USAF will field a new, optionally-manned long range nuclear-capable bomber.
  
  
• More Reaper UAVs will be purchased by the USAF.
  
  
• Continuing radar upgrades for existing USAF F-15s.
  
  
• A new seaborne strike/surveillance aircraft will be purchased
  
  

Full transcript of SecDef Gate's speech.

F-35 2010 wrap up: Key objectives still unmet

Flight testing of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter enters 2011 at a stepped-up pace, however many key 2010 objectives of the F-35 program, mainly for the F-35B STOVL variant, are still unmet and significant program changes looming.

Fourth F-35A makes it first flight

The fourth Lockheed Martin F-35A (AF-4) made it first flight in the closing days of 2010, adding another milestone in the year for the troubled program. The flight was the program's 410 for the year, compared to 394 that were planned.

PHOTO: Avionics-equipped F-35 joins Edwards test program

(Click on thumbnail for high res image)
The third F-35A to join the test fleet at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., tops off its fuel tanks while cruising west toward its destination after departing Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti flew the conventional takeoff and landing variant, known as AF-3, on the 1,200-mile ferry flight. AF-3 will focus on testing advanced technologies and mission systems. The F-35 Lightning II program on Dec. 9 achieved its goal of 394 flights in 2010, and reached the 400-flight mark for the year-to-date on Dec.13. (Lockheed Martin photo by Liz Kaszynski)

Base Leg Note: The tanker in the photo is an NKC-135R Big Crow Flying Laboratory, serial 61-0320

RAF may have just six fast jet units by 2020

The commanding officer of the Royal Air Force's No. 1 Group says Britain may halve its fast-jet fleet to just six squadrons by 2020 or so. He estimates that the RAF is headed for five Typhoon and one F-35 JSF squadron.

Marine F-35 basing plan announced

The US Marine Corps will split almost 400 F-35 JSFs to be based at Marine Corps Air Stations in North and South Carolina, Arizona and California. The aircraft will operate with 22 operational units, a pilot training centre and a Test and Evaluation unit.

First production engine delivered for F-35B

Formally completing an eight-year development and testing programme by Pratt & Whitney, the first production model of the F135-PW-600 jet engine for the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant has been delivered to Lockheed-Martin. The 43,000lb-thrust-class engine will be installed in the fifth F-35B flight test aircraft, named BF-5.