Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. Bill Gortney on Oct. 1, 2013. US Navy Photo
The Pentagon’s pick to head U.S. Northern Command is concerned Congress could put the kibosh on the department’s frontline missile defense system, exposing potential gaps in U.S. missile defense strategy. Read More
An artists conception of Boeing and Lockheed Martin’s 2009 bid for the Next Generation Bomber (NGB). Boeing Photo
The U.S. Air Force released a request for proposals (RFP) for its secretive Long Range Strike-Bomber program on Wednesday. Read More
A F135 engine undergoing testing. DoD Photo
A June 23 fire that severely damaged a Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is “definitely” related to the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney F135 after-burning turbofan, multiple sources told USNI News. Read More
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off while two F-35 Lightning IIs taxi on the flightline in a training mission April 24, 2014, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. US Air Force Photo
This post was updated to include a comment from Lockheed Martin.
The Pentagon has formally grounded the entire Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet after a June 23 fire that severely damaged one aircraft on take-off. Read More
Staff Sgt. Matthew Reed provides oversight for Staff Sgt. Mark Freeman, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, during hot pit refueling at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. US Air Force Photo
Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, have temporarily suspended operations after a fire severely damaged an aircraft on take-off yesterday. Read More
F-35A Lightning II while another Air Force joint strike fighter waits to be refueled at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. US Air Force Photo
This post was updated to include a statement from Lockheed Martin.
A Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was severely damaged — possibly destroyed — in a Monday morning fire on the runway at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., USNI News learned.
Missile Defense Agency’s Flight Test 06b Ground-Based Interceptor launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. on June 22, 2014. MDA Photo
The Missile Defense Agency scored its first hit with a new type of interceptor in a Sunday simulated ballistic missile attack on the American homeland, the Pentagon announced. Read More
A Boeing artist’s conception of a potential design for F/A-XX. Boeing Photo
The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force are in the earliest stages of creating the requirements for their next generation of fighters but development of the engines that will power those aircraft are already well underway — and provide hints on what American sixth-generation aircraft will be able to do. One thing is already clear, both aircraft will be fast, long range and extremely efficient. Read More
A Marine F-35B joint strike fighter lifts off from the runway during the first short take-off and vertical landing mission at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. on Oct. 25 2013. US Marine Corps Photo
Lockheed Martin has begun testing the final version of the F-35’s Block 2B software that the US. Marines need to declare the jet operational starting on June 9, company officials told reporters on Monday. Read More
MH-60S helicopter from the Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 on May 30, 2014. US Navy Photo
While acknowledging, “we will always have an operational need for vertical lift,” the Pentagon’s tight budget future is keeping the initiative to replace its aging fleet of helicopters on a small science-and- technology diet that worries industry. Read More
