October 31, 2017 Military Aviation News

China’s First 5th Generation Fighter Moves Into Serial Production

10/31/2017

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) first fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) J-20 multirole fighter, will soon move into serial production, according to a October 23 broadcast on China Central TV’s (CCTV) Channel 4, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly reports. The broadcast showed five J-20s flying in formation.

US, Japanese Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bombers

10/31/2017

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF) scrambled fighter jets to intercept two nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Force on October 30, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced in a statement. JASDF and USAF aircraft escorted the Russian bombers as they skirted the Japanese islands of Hoshu and Hokkaido on Monday.

Why Japan’s New Military Aircraft Gift to the Philippines Matters

10/31/2017

Last week, Japan disclosed that, following a change in Japanese law, it will now be donating five aircraft to the Philippines rather than leasing them as previously agreed. Though the move represents just one change in a broader relationship that has already been deepening in the defense realm, its significance for both sides and the wider region ought not to be underestimated.

USAF floats software solutions for KC-46 issues

10/31/2017

The US Air Force believes a software reprogramming could solve some deficiencies discovered earlier this year on the Boeing KC-46 tanker, following initial findings from testing earlier this month.

Lockheed struggles with F-35 sustainment

10/31/2017

The Defense Department plans to ramp up production of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter despite serious sustainment issues that have drawn out repair times and grounded jets, according to a recent government watchdog report.

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