April 09, 2015 Military Aviation News

NORAD: Jets need upgrades now to protect against cruise missiles

04/09/2015

The commander in charge of homeland defense signed an order to upgrade his F-16s with a specific threat in mind: cruise missiles headed into the U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command earlier this year issued an urgent operational need request for new active electronically scanned array radar for F-16s tasked with protecting the homeland. The service is moving quickly on the request, with the goal of installing the systems first on F-16s tasked with protecting the National Capital Region.

Navy Outfitting More Seahawks with Digital Rocket Launchers

04/09/2015

After integrating “smart” rocket launchers on MH-60S helicopters last year, the U.S. Navy now is equipping the MH-60R with the same modernized capability, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced in an April 7 release.

Navy Prepares Amphibs for F-35B’s First Deployment in 2018

04/09/2015

The Navy and Marine Corps are preparing their amphibious assault ships for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter’s first ever deployment slated for 2018. The Marine Corps short-take-off-and-landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35B, will be the first ever fifth-generation aircraft to deploy. The Navy is working to prepare the flight decks, sensors and weapons systems on board several amphibs are ready in 2018, service leaders told reporters April 7.

Forget F-16s for Taiwan: It's All About A2/AD

04/09/2015

The time has come for the United States to consider ending the sale of upgrades for F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan and instead shift military sales and cooperation to emphasize anti-access capabilities and concepts of operation.

U.S. Marines vow tough review of F-35 combat readiness

04/09/2015

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to carry out a tough, separate "inspection" before declaring the first squadron of 10 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets ready for initial combat use, the Marine Corps' top aviator said on Wednesday. Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lieutenant General Jon Davis told Reuters he was keeping close tabs on 13 items required to approve combat use of the jets, now ready after years of delays and cost overruns.

Should Future Fighter Be Like A Bomber? Groundbreaking CSBA Study

04/09/2015

America’s next war plane may look much more like a stealthy long-range bomber than a sleek, fast and maneuverable fighter. That’s the conclusion of a wide-ranging study by the respected Center for Budgetary and Strategic Assessments. Breaking Defense obtained a copy of the report from a source not affiliated with CSBA.

US Air Force Desperately Needs Modernization – Air Force Secretary

04/09/2015

The US Air Force desperately needs modernization: the American military air fleet is the smallest the United States has ever had since 1947, while its aircraft are the oldest that they have ever been, the US Air Force Secretary revealed.

US Admiral: Russian Bombers Send a Message, We Do the Same

04/09/2015

A United States military commander said Russia has increased the number of flights by its long-range bomber fleet to demonstrate its status as a world power – a tactic American forces also use for precisely the same reason.

Canada Conducts First Airstrike on ISIL Militants in Syria - Minister

04/09/2015

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has conducted its first airstrike on the positions of the Islamic State militant group in Syria, Canadian Defense Minister Jason Kenney said Wednesday.

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