Stealth Saga #43

MQ-XX/MQ-25 Stringray (CBARS):

The US Navy expects more progress this year on the tanker drone.

Taranis:

The test flight program of the European stealthy UCAV was outlined.

Neuron:

France has started letting its Navy test their Neuron UCAV demonstrator. The tests will include their aircraft carrier.

KF-X:

South Korea is set to select a foreign engine for its stealth fighter.

J-31:

Pakistan is interested in buying the J-31 to replace its F-16s.

B-21:

The US Air Force believes the B-21 will fill a gap on long range strike.

The US Air Force will announce the B-21's name in September at AFA.

The US allies will not participate in the B-21 development.

F-22:

Some argue NOT to revive F-22 production.

The F-22s have returned from Europe.

The intent of the visit was to bolster European visits

The F-22s have started sporting kill markings.

SecDef Carter is against the restart of the F-22 production line.

The Fesler brothers have taken over two different F-22 wings.

F-35:

Source.

The Thunderbirds & F-35s over Florida in pictures.  Do those pictures actually mean something?

The F-35 gets a bit of press.

Israel is testing weapons for its F-35I.  The F-35I will be unique.

The F-35 vs A-10 tests get rapped again.

The latest F-35 avionics software (3i) is declared ready.

The F-35 seems to be struggling still with its testing schedule.

Here's a day in the life of an F-35 test pilot.

USAF F-35s have started combat training.  Some of it virtual.

The F-35B has had its 1,000th vertical landing.

The 3rd Marine Air Wing is preparing to deploy the F-35B abroad, but is struggling with its legacy aircraft maintenance.

WiB goes off on the F-35 again, specifically that it is really three separate aircraft.

Denmark has selected the F-35 over the F/A-18E and Typhoon for an order of 27 aircraft.  This is likely to cause a political bun fight.  WiB is calling the decision stupid.  Boeing is challenging the selection.

Here are the pros and cons of the F-35A from the pilots and aircrews.

The F-35A has been conducting tail hook landing tests at Edwards AFB.

 Japan's fighter pilots will be getting to fly the F-35A at Luke AFB.

The Dutch F-35As are going back to the Netherlands.

Britain is funding the Spear 3 missile for its F-35s.

The Brits have also sent their tanker to test refueling F-35Bs. 

The Brits also highlight the problems of training with the F-35.

McCain is attempting to kill the F-35 joint program office.  SASC voted to do so.  Is this the first move to destroy the F-35 program?

Here's an update on the ALIS software for the F-35.

Meta:

Some are questioning whether stealth is right direction for the USAF's aircraft.

Stealth Saga #41

Avenger:

The US Air Force tested an advanced optical sensor on the General Atomics Avenger.

 MQ-XX:

MQ-XX will only have tanking and ISR capabilities, no strike, if the navy gets its way.

KF-X:

The engine maker for the KF-X is to be selected soon.

Hanwha Thales has been selected to provide the radar for the KF-X.  A bit more here.

ATD-X/X-2:

The Japanese X-2 had its maiden flight.  More info here and here.

PAK-DA:

It should be met with skepticism based on the Russian economy and moves by the Russian MOD, but its reported the PAK-DA bomber will be a stealthy flying wing and should have first flight in 2021.

Sixth Generation Fighters:

The US Navy may ditch the FA-XX for a family of systems, but at this point has started its analysis of alternatives.  It has made it clear whatever comes out will not be the same airframe as the USAF's F-X (or whatever it may be).

B-21:

The House is asking the USAF to buy more B-21 bombers.

The USAF has revised its position and stated that 100 bombers is the minimum they need to buy for the B-21.

Here is the report to Congress on the B-21 program.

Does Congress have enough oversight on the B-21 program?

F-22:

F-22 are being deployed from Alaska to the middle east.

The House also asked the US Air Force to study the costs of buying another 194 F-22s. This would require a restart of the F-22 production line.  It might be simply too late to restart the production line.

The Congressman Forbes' push for the F-22 might have to do with his reelection fight.

F-35:

Israel is holding firm on increasing its F-35 order.

Officials are confident about the ejection seat fix for the F-35 as well.

Spain may buy the F-35B. 

Israel's F-35Is will arrive on December 12th of this year in country.

Israel expects they will be the only Middle Eastern F-35 operator for at least a decade.

The F-35 light weight helmet has passed its first test.

Britain wants to be the sustainment center for European F-35 avionics.

The GAO & JPO are at odds over the F-35 program mods...again.

The House Arms Services Committee is adding back in 11 F-35s to the budget.

Hill AFB is modifying all three of the F-35 variants.

CNN reports on the F-35 problems wiht ALIS.

MCAS Beautfort is getting ready for expanded F-35B operations.

General:

When will fighters become obsolete?