Meet the Rebranded F-16 Fighting Falcon
Lockheed Martin has announced a fighter jet it calls the F-21. The single-seat fighter comes with missiles, modern sensors, and can engage in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The rebranding appears to be more about opportunities for industrial cooperation in India, than technological enhancements.
NASA Plans 3-D Printing of Habitats on Other Planets
NASA uses 3-D printing to repair tools in space and now wants to use the technology to build habitats on other planets. The US Army deploys its Rapid Fabrication via Additive Manufacturing on the Battlefield, with five printers to get broken equipment ready for battle quicker. The current, fourth deployment of the $250,000 facility, is in South Korea.
East Coast on Alert As Florence Nears
The mid-Atlantic region is expecting to be impacted by the approaching Hurricane Florence. Naval Station Norfolk is among the military installation taking precautions. The National Hurricane Center says it is still too early to predict the storm’s exact path.
US, Britain Ready for F-35B Flight Trials
Great Britain’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has departed for the US to carry out flight trials with F-35B fighter jets at the Portsmouth naval base.
Defense Spending Bills Taking Shape
Both the House and Senate are proposing $675B in defense spending. The House passed its version of the defense appropriations bill last week. Lawmakers will return after the holiday to reconcile their differences in the legislation.
Senate Blocks F-35 Sale to Turkey
US Senate blocks Lockheed’s $10 billion sale of F-35s to Turkey, fearing the fighter jet’s secrets are at risk since the NATO ally’s decision to buy the Russian S-400 air defense system.
Raptor, Not F-35, Deployed for Security Mission
The F-22 Raptor has deployed to the Pacific as part of a theater security mission, swapping in for the Air Force’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Naval Aviation Ground Mishaps on Rise
Class C ground mishaps in naval aviation have doubled in the past decade. VADM DeWolfe Miller, Naval Air Forces chief, has made eliminating the mistakes his current No. 2 priority — behind the continued efforts to eliminate cockpit physiological episodes.
355-Ship Navy Not a Wish. It’s Now Policy
President Trump’s 2018 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision that calls for the US to build up to 355 ships “as soon as practicable.” That makes achieving a 355-ship Navy national policy.
Navy Receives First New Triton Drone
The Navy’s first Triton drone is set to meet early operational capability in 2018, with initial operational capability slated for 2021.
