The Felon, the Viper, and the Rafale: North Africa’s Air Arms Race
Two Felons flying over Aïn Beïda tell me that Algeria refused to let the fifth-generation story belong only to Western clients and their partners. They do not tell me that the Maghreb has entered a fundamentally new kind of war.
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Two SF-260 Military Aircraft Collided in Philippines—Four Pilots Killed
Two SF-260 military training aircraft collided during a flight in the Philippines, killing four pilots. This was reported by the press service of the Philippine Air Force. The plane crash occurred on October 23 at 3:51 p.m. local time at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas Province.
Russia’s Missile Industry Takes a Double Hit as Ukraine Strikes Two Key Plants and Military Aircraft
Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed on October 24 that Ukrainian forces struck two Russian defense-related industrial facilities and an aircraft at a military airfield, targeting production chains supporting Russia’s cruise and ballistic missile programs.
Lockheed Martin CEO targets 80% of sixth-generation fighter capability in upgraded F-35
Lockheed Martin wants to upgrade the F-35 to deliver 80% of the capability of a newly designed sixth-generation fighter at half the cost, Chief Executive Jim Taiclet said. He said a proposed ten-year procurement arrangement would support investment in the aircraft’s production, maintenance and modernization.
Chinese scientists explore wing-mounted radar to expand airborne surveillance
Chinese military aircraft designers have proposed a new airborne early-warning radar that would fit inside an aircraft’s wing rather than a conventional nose-mounted radome or large radar dome above the fuselage.
Germany looks to Saab for its next sixth-generation fighter after breaking with France
Berlin sees a new industrial partnership with Sweden and Spain as more convenient than joining the GCAP programme. The proposal envisages an Airbus–Saab alliance and the use of the Gripen E as an initial technology baseline.
Air Force Demands 1,509 Fighters by 2035 as Pentagon Secures 10-Year Lockheed F-35 Deal
The U.S. Air Force told Congress it will need 1,509 combat-coded fighters by 2035, about 40% of them F-35As, in a force structure report sent to lawmakers October 16 that charts a larger and more stealth-heavy fleet than the service flies today.
B-21 Air-to-Air Role: USAF Studies Bombers That Hunt Fighters
Bombers are supposed to be the ones being hunted. The U.S. Air Force is now asking, in writing, whether they could do some of the hunting.
Tyndall launches Checkered Flag 27-1 to advance air-to-air readiness
The 325th Fighter Wing kicked off Checkered Flag 27-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Oct. 20, launching a two-week, large-force aerial exercise scheduled to run through Nov. 5, 2026.
Defense giant Saab sees orders triple after Gripen fighter jet deal with Ukraine
Swedish defense giant Saab on Friday reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings and sales, while orders trippled. “The growing customer demand is reflected in major contract awards, including Gripen for Ukraine, GlobalEye and an order related to Germany’s new frigates,” CEO Micael Johansson said.
