Multi-Role Fighter
US approves Japan’s $23bn F-35 purchase
The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 105 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters to Japan.
Gripen E/F parts production begins in Brazil
Saab announced that parts production of its Gripen E/F multi-role fighter has started at its new sub-assembly facility in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, on July 7.
Germany approves Eurofighter AESA radar upgrade
The German Bundestag has approved the development, production and integration of new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems for the Luftwaffe’s (German Air Force’s) entire Eurofighter EF-2000 fleet.
StormBreaker makes Super Hornet test debut
Raytheon Missiles and Defense, alongside the US Navy, has completed the first guided release of its GBU-53/B StormBreaker air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb from a Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
US Navy receives first two Block III Super Hornets
Boeing has delivered the first two F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets carrier-capable multi-role fighters to the US Navy for flight testing.
Boeing’s F-15QA completes first flight
Boeing has successfully completed the first flight of the F-15QA (Qatar Advanced) – the most advanced variant of the Eagle family to be manufactured so far.
F-35 reaches new delivery, flight hour milestones
Lockheed Martin has announced that it – along with the F-35 Joint Program Office – has delivered its 500th F-35 Lightning II multirole stealth fighter, just after the fleet surpassed 250,000 flight hours.
Poland signs for F-35A procurement
Poland has become the latest nation to go on contract for the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II – the conventional take-off and landing variant of the multirole stealth fighter.
Israel activates second F-35I squadron
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has stood up 116 Squadron ‘Lions of the South’ as its second operational F-35I Adir unit.
US approves F-35B sale to Singapore
The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of up to 12 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) multi-role stealth fighters to Singapore.
First Eurofighter in Kuwaiti configuration takes flight
The first Kuwait-standard Eurofighter has taken to the air at Leonardo Aircraft Division’s flight-test centre at Turin-Caselle Airport, Italy.
South Korea declares F-35A IOC
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has officially declared initial operational capability (IOC) with its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters, according to local media sources.