Most F-35s Return to Flight
Most F-35s return to flight operations after fuel tubes were inspected. About 20 percent are still awaiting replacement tubes.
Trump Shifts Military From Counterterrorism to Competition
The Trump administration shifts US military focus from counterterrorism to competition with peer adversaries such as China.
New Performance Incentives for F-35, Not for Industry
Lockheed’s contract for future F-35s is tied to performance incentives, but DoD efforts to tie all defense contracts to performance indicators has been withdrawn in the face of industry and congressional outcry.
Turkey’s F-35 Purchase Blocked by NDAA
The $716B defense authorization bill was signed earlier in the year than any NDAA for the past 40 years and also included a stall in the F-35 sale to Turkey and provided President Trump an opportunity to tout his Space Force.
$639B NDAA Increases Readiness, Base Infrastructure Budgets
All service branches will see increases in readiness budgets if the Senate passes the $639.1 billion FY19 National Defense Authorization Act that passed and out of a conference committee this week. The conference summary notes $23.5 billion to sustain, repair and rebuild crumbling military buildings and other infrastructure.
More Remains Could Be Returned from No. Korea
DefSec Jim Mattis said that relations between the US and North Korea may be warming to the point that US forces could be allowed to return there to find more war remains of US servicemembers.
Congress Says No F-35s to Turkey; Mattis Objects
The Senate and House move to prevent the sale of F-35s to Turkey, a move DefSec Mattis opposes.
F-35s Gaining Foothold in Europe
The F-35 fighter jet is arriving in growing numbers in Europe, and military officials say it is poised to play a much broader role in missile defense.
Global Fleet of F-35 Jets Grows
F-35 jets are already in 12 nations, are set to dominate the Western fighter market for decades to come.
First Loss of F-35B for Marine Corps
An F-35B that erupted into flames caused by a faulty bracket nearly two years ago has been struck by the Marine Corps, making it the first loss of an F-35 for the corps. The corps made the determination that the costs to repair the fighter would not be worth the return on investment.
