All Department of Defense articles – Page 8
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News
Lockheed Martin to produce 133 to 139 F-35s in 2021 as Covid hangover lingers
Lockheed Martin plans to manufacture between 133 and 139 examples of its F-35 stealth fighter in 2021, a number about the same as 2019 levels, but below previous projections as the programme continues to feel the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
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US Air Force asks to retire 201 older aircraft, plans to invest in R&D and new aircraft
The US Air Force is asking the US Congress to let it retire 201 aircraft in fiscal year 2022, in order to reinvest savings from not operating and maintaining those aircraft into research and development, as well as procurement of next-generation aircraft and weapons.
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Raytheon looks at integrating AMRAAM-ER in F-35A internal carriage
The US Air Force’s F-35A could field two examples of the larger missile, one in each internal weapons bay.
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US Air Force shows F-15E loaded with five stealthy JASSMs
The proof-of-concept shows that the F-15E could more than double its capacity of long-range cruise missiles.
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Honeywell’s $13m penalty shows it’s tricky doing business with China and Pentagon
Honeywell reached a $13 million settlement with the US Department of State over alleged violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (better known as ITAR).
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AeroVironment lays out vision for teaming aerial drones and robotic vehicles
Long-time tactical drone maker AeroVironment has completed its acquisition of ground robot manufacturer Telerob for $45.4 million in cash and a pay-off of $9.4 million of the firm’s debt.
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News
‘Project Hydra’ connects US Air Force F-35 and F-22 via U-2 spyplane
The US Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-35 and F-22 stealth fighters passed data to one another using a communications gateway aboard a U-2 spyplane.
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News
US lawmakers slam F-35 programme for sustainment problems
US lawmakers unloaded anger against Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney and the Department of Defense (DoD) during a 22 April hearing, criticising the group for not meeting F-35 stealth fighter programme sustainment goals.
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Honeywell pushes development of alternatives to GPS
To deal with disruptions to GPS, sometimes caused by malicious jamming or spoofing, Honeywell is developing several alternative navigation technologies for military aircraft.
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USA has 70 efforts to develop hypersonic technologies, totalling nearly $15bn: GAO
The USA has funded 70 efforts to develop hypersonic missiles, and related technologies, between fiscal years 2015 and 2024.
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News
DARPA tests artificial intelligent dogfighting in two-versus-one simulations
DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution programme tested team dogfighting between artificial intelligence-controlled fighters in a software simulation in February.
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DARPA kicks off feasibility study of military jetpacks
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is studying the technical feasibility of military jetpacks, and other personal flying platforms, potentially for use by US special forces.
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DARPA’s multi-modal ‘LongShot’ missile programme awards design contracts
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded preliminary design contracts for its LongShot programme, a concept that envisions an air-launched unmanned air vehicle carrying and firing multiple smaller air-to-air missiles.
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Boeing F-15EX goes vertical in first flight
The first example of the new combat aircraft went vertical in a “Viking” departure manoeuvre shortly after it lifted off from St. Louis Lambert International airport in Missouri on its first flight.
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Facing Biden administration, Raytheon drops sale of offensive weapon to Middle Eastern country
Raytheon dropped the sale of an offensive weapon system to an unnamed Middle Eastern country due to concerns that the new President Joseph Biden administration would not grant it a direct commercial sales export license.
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Lloyd Austin confirmed as USA’s first African American secretary of defence
The US Senate confirmed Lloyd Austin as the USA’s first African American secretary of defence on 22 January.
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Stealthy Fifth-Generation Aerial Target lost due to in-flight mishap
The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation’s stealthy Fifth-Generation Aerial Target (5GAT) was lost to an in-flight mishap in October.
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In depth
US Marine Corps commits detachment of F-35Bs to HMS Queen Elizabeth
The US Marine Corps has committed a detachment of Lockheed Martin F-35Bs to the Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier for its first overseas deployment this year.
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News
Excess movement prevents C-130 from retrieving Gremlins in mid-air test
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) came within inches of snatching several X-61A Gremlins unmanned air vehicles out of the sky using an arm extended from the cargo bay of a Lockheed Martin C-130. However, the aerial captures were aborted because of too much movement between the docking mechanism and the drones.
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News
Biden to nominate retired US Army general Lloyd Austin as defence secretary: reports
President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate retired US Army general Lloyd Austin as defence secretary, according to widespread news reports that cite confidential sources. If confirmed by the US Senate, Austin would be the first African American to lead the Pentagon in its 73-year history