Posted on February 5, 2010 by Fighter Country
The U.S. Senate began debate on the 2011 defense budget Feb. 2 where debate left off on the 2010 budget last fall — on the C-17 cargo plane, the alternate F-35 engine and the F-22. President Obama wants to end C-17 production and cancel the alternate engine, but a lot of senators want to keep the programs alive, just like last year. And Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., wants to resuscitate the F-22 stealth fighter. But Defense Secretary Robert Gates seems determined to force a different outcome this year. “I’m fully aware of political pressure to continue building a C-17 and…
Posted on February 5, 2010 by Fighter Country
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is asking the Air Force to provide complete information on the noise produced by the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which may be based in Tucson. In a letter to top Air Force officials, Giffords reiterated her strong support for basing the fighter jet in Tucson, but noted that constituents have expressed concerns about the noise of the plane. Providing noise information “will ensure that there is a full examination of the impact on any community that is being considered for basing of the F-35,” Giffords wrote in a letter to Air Force Secretary…
Posted on February 2, 2010 by Fighter Country
A Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations. One day after the secretary of defense commented about the F-35 program regarding its lack of performance on the F-35 joint strike fighter, Lockheed Martin got its fifth F-35 test airplane in the air Tuesday for the first time. The jet, known as BF-3, departed the runway near Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant at 4:02 p.m. CST for its first flight. During the one-hour sortie, F-35 Chief Test Pilot Jon Beesley tested the aircraft’s handling qualities, engine…
Posted on February 2, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Pentagon will name Vice Admiral David Venlet, commander of the Naval Air Systems Command, to run its F-35 fighter plane program, an influential defense analyst with knowledge of the plan, said on Tuesday. Venlet will get the job after U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would restructure…
Posted on February 1, 2010 by Fighter Country
Honeywell Aerospace, headquartered in Phoenix, provides critical technology for approximately 14 aircraft systems on the F-35, including the power and thermal management system. This first-ever integrated system combines auxiliary power, environmental controls, engine start and emergency power into a single system with significant weight savings for the aircraft.
Posted on January 29, 2010 by Fighter Country
By Tony Capaccio Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) — Lockheed Martin Corp. is fixing a structural weakness in the Navy version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that limits the jet’s ability to launch from aircraft carriers, according to a company spokesman. Engineers in July discovered a “strength shortfall” in an aluminum structure in the aircraft’s center fuselage that helps absorb stresses during a catapult takeoff, Lockheed spokesman John Kent said today in an e-mailed statement. “U.S. Navy and program office engineers were apprised immediately and have been directly involved in approving design updates,” Kent said. “A modification is already approved and…
Posted on January 28, 2010 by Fighter Country
By John T. Bennett – Staff writer The Pentagon’s 2011 budget will seek nearly $11 billion for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, while also putting $4 billion toward a new long-range bomber and boosting funds for special operations forces, according to a draft overview of the spending request obtained by Defense News. The Obama administration’s 2011 Pentagon spending request follows a tumultuous 2010 Pentagon budget process that saw Defense Secretary Robert Gates cancel, restructure or otherwise alter about 50 major U.S. weapon programs. Due to be sent to Congress on Feb. 1, the new budget will call for the termination…
Posted on January 28, 2010 by Fighter Country
Air Force officials will visit Florida and Southeast Georgia to receive public input on the F-35 joint strike fighter during a series of meetings beginning Feb. 8. The Air Force is gauging the potential environmental impact of establishing an F-35 A Lightning II unit at Jacksonville Air National Guard Station or four out-of-state bases. It’ll relate to land use, airspace and safety, air and water quality, noise, socioeconomics, biological and cultural resources and cumulative actions. The F-35 is a next generation, stealth capable air-to-ground fighter designed to replace the service’s aging fleet of F-15 and F-16 “legacy” aircraft. A decision…
Posted on January 28, 2010 by Fighter Country
With the Vermont Air National Guard among the contenders to receive new fighter jets, Raymonde Perron of Winooski asked the pilots whether they could keep the noise down when they fly overhead. Perron and LaMothe attended an open house Monday at the O’Brien Community Center
Posted on January 27, 2010 by Fighter Country
Much has been written about the city of El Mirage since city leaders traveled to Washington D.C. in March to petition the federal government for $400 million, claiming economic harm due to its proximity to Luke Air Force Base. Officials from other West Valley cities were surprised after learning about El Mirage’s monetary request to the federal government since communities around the base have historically worked closely together for decades to protect and preserve the training mission of Luke. The region has enjoyed a positive relationship with the Air Force’s largest F-16 training base since the facility opened as Luke…
