Congress Considers Slashing F-35 Orders
A proposed House policy bill would slash the number of F-35s the Pentagon would buy in fiscal 2025 as lawmakers’ patience with the program and Lockheed Martin wears thin.
Sahara Dust Plume Due in MD on Sunday
The Sahara dust plume is was 5,000 miles long by the end of June. The swirling dust headed toward the United States off the Sahara Desert is expected to move into the southern Mid-Atlantic and sections of the Carolinas toward the end of the weekend. NASA imaging shows another dust plume now off the coast of Africa and following the same path.
Competition Grows for Attack Aircraft
There has been interest in the past few years in fleet replacements for the Joint Strike Fighter. The number of ongoing or potential competitions for fighters, bombers, and attack aircraft is 54 worldwide.
Triton UAS Demonstrates Key Capabilities
The US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton UAS, in flight, demonstrates two key capabilities: exchanging full motion video feedback with the P-8A Poseidon using a common data link, and creating ate situational awareness for P-8 aircrew by tracking a target with its electro-optical/infrared digital camera.
Lockheed Hits JSF Target
Despite an up and down year, Lockheed delivered 36 F-35s to the Pentagon, making its 2014 target and retaining its sterling investment reputation into the future.
Morning Coffee: Pentagon Cuts 8 JSFs
Sources report the Pentagon will cut 8 F-35s from the FY15 budget and the White House will seek a $36 billion DoD plus-up in the FY16. Budget expert calls out-year projections “fiction.”
Morning Coffee: Gen-3 JSF Helmet on Track
Fixes to the Gen-2 helmet gained credence during tests last year with a surrogate aircraft flying from St. Mary’s Regional Airport close to NAS:PAX, the resulting Gen-3 is slated for testing this year.
Morning Coffee: F-35C Passes Tailhook Tests
The Navy’s F-35C, the most likely JSF variant to be cut, passed 36 roll-in arrestment tests in January at Lakehurst.
Morning Coffee: Nuclear Cheating Expands to Navy
Adm. John Richardson, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, said of 16,000 sailors in the program, less than one percent are involved, and no students.
Morning Coffee: Sikorsky’s Future Debated
The future of Sikorsky, America’s leading helicopter maker, is being evaluated by its parent company.
