April 25, 2024

Showtime at Farnborough: T-100, UCAVs, F-35

Lots to look at at Farnborough, from trainers to fighters, to unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

Must-See Aviation Event Underway

F-35s Available for Flight

The year’s biggest aviation event is underway in the United Kingdom at Farnborough International Air Show. The biggest names in aviation, rising unmanned aerial systems, emerging plane makers and hardware displays fill the week.

Aircraft Return As Pax Runway Reopens

Communities surrounding the Naval Air Station Payuxent River might notice a return of US Navy fixed-wing aircraft over Southern Maryland starting today, due to the re-opening of Runway 06/24. Both Runway 06/24 and Runway 14/32 at the base have been closed for needed repairs. The re-opening will allow the station to resume flights of fixed-wing aircraft that require the runway to take-off and land.

DepDefSec Work Expected at UK Air Show

While the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is expected to dominate much of the news coming out of the upcoming Farnborough Air Show, the appearance of US Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work is adding what Breaking Defense is calling “a boost in firepower for the air show.” Reports are that he will discuss his Third Offset Strategy in closed-door meetings while he is in the United Kingdom.

Israel Set to Get F-35As

F35

The first F-35A Lightning II of an order of 33 headed for Israel has come off the assembly line at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, TX, plant. Each plane will cost between $110million to $120 million.

Aging IT: Stop Throwing Good Money After Bad

Keeping aging IT on life support is costly and inefficient, federal CIO says.

Orlando Shooter Worked For Counterterrorism Firm

Discovery that the shooter in the Orlando nightclub massacre worked for a counterterrorism firm calls into question how wisely security dollars are being spent.

Move to Put Drones at Wallops Gains New Support

MQ-4C Triton

The Accomack County, VA, joins lobbying efforts to locate the Navy still-under-development MQ-4C Triton drone program at the Wallops Flight Facility. Two other sites under consideration are in Jacksonville, FL, and Key West, FL.

Pilot Dies in Blue Angels Crash in Tennessee

blue angels

A Blue Angels F/A-18 fighter jet crashed Thursday near Nashville, TN, killing the pilot just days before a weekend air show performance,

Progress Swift on JSF Takeoff, Landing Testing

F-35B

Progress has been quick on extensive preparations on board amphibious assault ships for short takeoffs and landings of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. This will ensure that the ships’ flight decks, sensors, and weapons systems can accommodate the first-ever deployment of the fighter jet set for 2018.