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Military Aviation News

US Air Force moves to fortify F-35 weak points against hacking

11/15/2018

The USAF is devoting fresh energy to plugging cybersecurity holes in the F-35's external support systems, as they are deemed the easiest entry points for hackers into the fifth-generation combat jet, according to a key service official. “It’s a software-based aircraft, and any software-based platform is going to be susceptible to hacking,” Brig. Gen. Stephen Jost, director of the Air Force F-35 Integration Office.

One pilot dead, another injured in the fifth T-38 Talon crash in a year

One pilot was killed and another was hospitalized when their T-38C Talon crashed late Tuesday at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, service officials said. It was the fifth crash of the training jet in the last 12 months. The aircraft, which is used for training student pilots to fly fighter or bomber jets, crashed about 7:40 p.m. local time on the south Texas base just outside Del Rio, according to a statement posted on Laughlin’s Facebook page.

PICTURE: Bahrain receives ex-Royal Air Force Hercules

Bahrain has taken delivery of its first of two ex-UK Royal Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports. Acquired via the UK Ministry of Defence following its retirement from service, the aircraft underwent depth maintenance at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group's Cambridge airport site before being approved for a return to operational use. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the aircraft – which now carries the Royal Bahraini Air Force registration 702 – is 19 years old.

U.S. Navy F/A-18F From USS Ronald Reagan Crashes at Sea, Crewmen Rescued. Sixth U.S. Super Hornet crash in 2 years.

A two-seat U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet has crashed at sea while operating from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). The crash occurred at an unspecified location northeast of the Philippines on Monday, November 12, 2018. Reports indicate both crew members ejected and were rescued from the sea by helicopter.

ASSAULT WITHDRAWS FROM CANADA FIGHTER COMP

French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has withdrawn its Rafale fighter from Canada’s fighter replacement program. The withdrawal reportedly comes after Dassault raised concerns over its ability to meet Canada’s interoperability and intelligence sharing requirements. “On November 8, the French government officially notified Canada of its withdrawal from the competitive process to replace Canada’s fighter jet fleet,” a Public Services and Procurement Canada spokesperson told DefenseNews.

USAF Reserve and Air National Guard F-16s to be upgraded with anti-jam GPS

The US Air Force awarded Rockwell Collins a contract to upgrade US Air National Guard and US Air Force Reserve F-16 aircraft with anti-jam GPS receivers. The digital GPS anti-jam receivers are intended to provide reliable navigation for Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft operating in contested electromagnetic environments. This will be the first combat fighter aircraft to be installed with the latest version of the receiver, Rockwell Collins says.

F3-R-standard Rafale gains French approval

Dassault has achieved French military qualification for the F3-R-standard variant of the Rafale combat aircraft. Launched at the end of 2013, and based on operational feedback, the upgrade sees the fighter gain a number of enhancements, including the integration of MBDA's Meteor air-to-air missile, the laser-guided version of the Safran AASM air-to-ground munition and Thales's Talios laser designator pod.

PICTURE: First Korean A330 MRTT arrives in Busan

The first of four Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports (MRTT) has arrived in South Korea, where it will undergo acceptance tests. Piloted by an Airbus and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) South Korean air force crew, the aircraft conducted its ferry flight to Gimhae air base from Getafe, Spain with a stop in Vancouver, Canada. Gimhae Airbase is located next to Busan’s Gimhae International Airport.

China warns US to avoid islands it claims in South China Sea

China bluntly told the United States to stop sending ships and military aircraft close to islands claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea, during talks Friday that set the stage for a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping later this month. The U.S. pushed back, insisting it will continue to “fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.” In late September, U.S. and Chinese vessels nearly collided near a disputed reef.

A rare look at what this DFW company hopes will be its aircraft of the future (Video)

Air show deals highlight Russia’s prospects for arms sales to China in spite of US sanctions

Modi Govt's Rafale Deal Was 40% More Expensive Per Aircraft Than Dassault's Earlier Offer: Report

India’s HAL to Double Annual Production Rate of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft From 8 to 16

DARPA asks for counter-hypersonic weapons proposals

VIDEO: China intent on AESA radar upgrades

North Korea's Air Force Is Complete Junk. But It Can Still Kill.

Why this company is bringing dozens of French-built fighter jets to Fort Worth Alliance Airport

China’s Beating the US to Market on Combat Drones, By Copying US Technology

Europe’s next-gen fighter jet is stuck in the bickering phase

US Air Force considers equipping A-10s with 3-D audio warning devices