March 28, 2024

Grosklags: Hypoxia Incidents on the Decline

hypoxia incidents

Senate Armed Services Committee members hear that the rate of hypoxia incidents in the Navy’s T-45 training jets has decreased in the past six months. The frequency of these episodes has dropped from its peak of more than three per month to about one per month.

Only Half of F-35s Available for Flight

F-35s Available for Flight

Of the 280 operational F-35s purchased by the US and international partners, only 51 percent are currently available for flight, according to the F-35 Joint Program Office.

F-35, Warthog About to Go Head to Head

F-35

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the A-10 Warthog are about to go head to head in comparison tests mandated by the fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. The F-35 has been heavily anticipated since its development began in the 1990s, but the A-10 has provided the Air Force with close air support since it entered service in 1976 and has developed a loyal fan base along the way.

The F-35 Adds International Sales, Supply-lines & Specs

F-35

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter advances into its international, operational life: Japan orders 20 more; Canada opens bids for operational maintenance contracts; Norway verifies its unique deceleration system for icy runways and windy conditions.

Organizational Changes Likely in Pacific Fleet

south china sea

The US Navy is pressing toward a major organizational change that could strip US Pacific Fleet of some or all of its functions and consolidate that power under US Fleet Forces Command on the East Coast.

Problems Aside, DoD Plans for More F-35s

Federal Defense Dollars

Pentagon seeks to spend $10.7 billion more on F-35s in FY19, despite persistent problems. DoD plans to put 77 more joint strike fighters their FY19 budget plan, which is due out next week.

Japan’s Air Force Deploys First F-35

Japan's Air Force

The Japanese air force has deployed its first operational F-35 at Misawa Air Base.

DoD Report Critical of F-35’s Progress

Federal Defense Dollars

Lockheed Martin defends F-35’s progress in response to a critical Pentagon report saying efforts to improve the joint strike fighter’s reliability are “stagnant.”

UK’s Top Test Pilot Compares F-35, Harrier

F-35 top test pilot UK

The Royal Air Force’s top test pilot says there is no comparison between the F-35 and the Harrier. Andy Edgell, stationed at NAS Patuxent River, said the F-35 and the Harrier, despite broadly doing the same thing (landing vertically), are “almost incomparable” in flying terms.

Survey: Agencies Ready If Gov’t Shutdown Occurs

Shutdown

Whether a shutdown is on the horizon for the holiday season, a majority of federal employees who took an anonymous online survey from Federal News Radio said their federal agencies are ready if a shutdown does happen Dec. 22.