As US OKs F-16 transfers, USAFE head warns Ukraine won’t have them flying in 2023
Gen. James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Africa and Europe, said it could take anywhere from 4-5 years for Ukraine to achieve “proficiency” in flying F-16s.
Lockheed Martin
Romania expects F-35 Letter of Agreement in 2024, first aircraft in 2030
The initial order for 32 aircraft also includes 35 engines, weapons, ammunition, logistics support, training services and simulators, according to the Romanian Ministry of National Defence.
Laser weapons ‘finally’ seeing ‘real progress,’ Missile Defense Agency official says
“There have been some really impressive results,” said MDA Executive Director Laura DeSimone on recent directed energy tests.
Race for new F-35 cooling system heats up, as DoD won’t rule out competition
A Honeywell Aerospace executive suggested Pratt & Whitney is improperly coordinating with fellow RTX subsidiary Collins Aerospace on modernization efforts for the F-35, but a Pratt VP denied the charge.
‘No more impasses’: Air Force to get helo technical data from Lockheed, Boeing
Obtaining the technical data packages from the two prime contractors will enable the Air Force to conduct more maintenance on its own and facilitate greater competition for sustainment contracts.
Lockheed, Northrop say they’re on ‘accelerated’ schedules in race for Next-Gen Interceptor
MDA’s goal is to field the Next-Generation Interceptor to replace its current Ground-Based Interceptors by 2028.
Next-gen intercontinental ballistic missile interceptor achieves major milestone
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Next-Generation Interceptor — a weapon being developed to to replace the current ground-based interceptors — has reached a massive milestone. According to a press release from Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon’s No.1 weapo…
KC-46A tanker still has 6 category 1 deficiencies, but fixes are in the works: USAF official
Each KC-46A will take about two months to retrofit with a new vision system, according to the Air Force’s program lead, a fix that will address two of six remaining critical defects in Boeing’s Pegasus air refueling tanker.
In reversal, Air Force wants prototype NGAD engines from both Pratt and GE: Official
“[R]ight now with the way we’re funded, we think we can carry both [companies] through prototype, and both are leaning in fully. And so then we’ll let the prototype and test do the evaluation,” Air Force propulsion chief John Sneden said.
RFI for next round of Air Force tanker buy projected for end of September: USAF official
“I think what you’re hearing from individuals like Hon. Hunter and Hon. Kendall is a recognition that the requirements that went into the JCIDS process are not revolutionary,” said Scott Boyd, Air Force deputy program manager for mobility a…