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The article focuses on the U.S. Air Force's plan to replace its air-ground surveillance fleet. Topics discussed include the Air Force's decision to shift to a smaller Joint Stars, information on the Joint Stars replacement aircraft from Northrop Grumman and the service's intent to procure a system with as much existing technology as possible in order to reduce the development cost of a Jstars replacement.

The article reports that the U.S. Air Force is resetting talks for the retirement of A-10 aircraft as it is a single-mission aircraft designed to provide close air support (CAS), and making way for Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft. Topics discussed include U.S. Air Force's fight with the U.S. Congress on the issue of retiring A-10, a summit on CAS being hosted by Air Combat Command chief General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, and lack of trained F-35 maintainers.

The article focuses on how defense contractors Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have slowed down work on designs for the U.S. Navy's Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (Uclass) aircraft. Topics discussed include the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) concerns about the aircraft's requirements and the timing of the competition, the program's estimated cost in June 2013, and expectations that Uclass vehicles will not be released earlier than 2022.

The article reports on the continued domination of the Lockheed Martin F-35 project in the global fighter market as of December 2014. Topics include is the U.S. Marine Corps' initial-operational-capability date for its F-35B unit, foreign military sales' interest in how well the F-35's entry into the service goes, and Italy's plan to roll out its first jet built at the Cameri facility. Also mentioned is the progress of Russia's Sukhoi toward its operational debut of the T-50 fighter.

The article focuses on the teaming of unmanned air systems with manned aircraft for the U.S. Army aviation platforms. Topics discussed include advantages of combining video feeds and weapons from manned and unmanned platforms, deployment of the first aircraft maker Boeing AH-64E Apache "Echo" attack helicopter in Afghanistan in 2014 and use of the One-System Remove Video Terminal (OSRVT), device that allows remote users to view video feeds and enabling them to control the unmanned air system.

The article focuses on the plan of the aerospace joint venture United Launch Alliance (ULA) of manufacturing a new rocket engine called BE-4 with the aerospace startup Blue Origin. It presents the views of ULA's chief executive officer (CEO) Tory Bruno on moving the firm to upper stage replacing RL-10 engines built by the rocket manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne.

The article reports on aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman's abandonment of plans to modify a BAE Systems Hawk trainer for the U.S. Air Force's T-38 replacement program. Topics discussed include subsidiary Scaled Composites' formation of a team to build a suitable aircraft, reasons why the Hawk is unsuited for the mission, and the use of the proposed T-X aircraft to train future F-22 and F-35 pilots with advanced skills.

The article reports on defense contractor General Atomics' (GA) completion of laboratory tests of a third-generation laser system. Topics discussed include beam quality comparisons with the Laser Weapon System being tested by the U.S. Navy, the system's installation in the Avenger turbofan-powered drone aircraft, and its effectiveness against air-to-air missiles and cruise missiles. Also mentioned are factors affecting laser weapon effectiveness such as the hardness of the target.

The article reports that six out of nine partner nations of F-35 development program for Lockheed Martin F-35 multirole fighter will substantially maintain, repair and overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) work on the single engine and stealthy fighter. It presents the views of U.S Air Force Lieutenant General Christopher Bogdan regarding the construction of heavy airframe maintenance in the U.S. It mentions that the much of the MRO&U work in Italy will be managed by Italian aerospace company Alenia.

The article reports that the defense firm Lockheed Martin hopes that the U.S. interest in the firm's plan to design an interceptor for the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) air defense system will increase due to threat being posed by Chinese hypersonic boost glide vehicle. It mentions that Missile Defense Agency's director James Syring expressed his concern over Russia's hypersonic systems. Also presented are views of firm's Doug Graham on development of Thaad system.

The article reports that the space transport firm Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has failed to gain certification for U.S. government launches and demonstration of reusability of first stage of Falcon 9 rocket. Topics discussed include slow progress in SpaceX's mission to expand from low-risk carriage to International Space Station, views of U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James on completion of certification task, and criticism made by SpaceX founder Elon Musk on certification.

The article offers information on the F-35C stealth multirole fighters from Lockheed Martin, which have successfully completed their sea trials conducted by the U.S. Navy as of November 2014.

The article discusses the planning of the U.S. Navy to develop E-2D Advanced Hawkeye squadron for a maiden deployment for the first five of the carrier-based airborne command-and-control aircraft. Topics discussed include application of ultra high frequency radar for finding targets such as cruise missiles and aircraft with low radar cross sections, sensors provided by aerospace firm Lockheed Martin for the Hawkeye squadron and views of Bart LaGrone, of security firm Northrop Grumman, on this.

The article reports on the plan of the U.S. Army to boost the features of its Apache attack helicopter. Topics covered include the addition of advanced over-water radar modes in the aircraft to link it with the rest of the army's fleet as well as the decline in the available funding for the procurement of new helicopter to expand the missions of the sector. Also mentioned is the deployment of other fleets worldwide including in Afghanistan.

The article focuses on the deployment of the combat cloud plan for data-sharing across ships, aircraft and satellites by Pentagon in Vancouver. It mentions that the U.S. Navy is connecting its forces through the Naval Integrated Fire Control Counter Air plan networking its ships and aircraft to protect assets at sea from attack. It states that the Electronic Systems Center of Air Combat Command will release a request for information for a Fifth-to-Fourth Gen Gateway in October 2014.

The article discusses defense contractor and aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co. wining a low-bid contract to buy into the U.S. Air Force's replacement program for the KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft. The replacement program, the KC-46, has run into numerous difficulties, including defects that were discovered in the plane's wiring, cost overruns, and schedule slippages.

The article reports that a prototype replacement for Russia's RD-180 is expected to be ready to test in 2.5 years from 2014. Topics discussed include the partnership between aerospace firms Dynetics and Aerojet Rocketdyne (AJR) on risk-reduction work growing out of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Launch System (SLS) advanced booster program, and the willingness by Congressional defense committees to start funding development of a large hydrocarbon rocket.

The article discusses problems with the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine used in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, focusing on how the issue could cause a delay in the operational debut of the aircraft. Other topics include the redesigning of engine components by the engine builder Pratt & Whitney, response to a fire in one of the F135 engines by defense contractor Lockheed Martin, and the payment for fixes by Pratt & Whitney.

The article offers information on crafting of a procurement strategy by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for new kill vehicle. Topics discussed include views of Vice Adm. James Syring, MDA Director on plans to overcome shortcomings in the Raytheon Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) design, efforts being made for building a new Long-Range Discrimination Radar for emplacement in Alaska and management of the reliability problem of Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) by Boeing.

The article discusses various reasons for failure of American global aerospace and defense, Northrop Grumman in the acquisition of contract at Pentagon. Topics discussed include rivals Boeing and Lockheed Martin scored tax incentives for building new bombers for the U.S. Air Force, views of Tim Paynter, spokesman at Northrup on passing of legislation for aerospace workers and views of Maureen Schumann, a Pentagon spokeswoman on decision of Pentagon officials on Northrop's underperformance.

The article focuses on trial of unmanned aircraft X-47B named Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) program by the U.S. Navy for its inclusion into air wings. Topics discussed include Navy's proposal for Unmanned Carrier-Launched Air-borne Surveillance and Strike System (Uclass), views of trial program executive officer Mat Winter on execution of trial which included take-off and landing with time limits and use of tests in gathering information regarding how to include these aircraft into airwing.

The article reports on aircraft manufacturer Boeing's proposal for the U.S. Air Force's T-38C replacement program which is the largest tender for fast-jet trainers. It mentions the views of Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, regarding Boeing's partnership with aerospace company Saab for developing a new aircraft for the program. Also mentioned are proposals of other competitors for the tender including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics.

The article reports on several tanker aircrafts manufactured by aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, and several upgradation concerning the same. Topics include Airbus' efforts to upgrade its A330 aircraft; the Boeing 767-2C aircraft fitted with KC-46 aircraft boom; and several modifications such as changes to the wing slats and flaps introduced by Airbus in its commercial A330-200/300 aircraft.

The article reports that the U.S. Air Force is facing difficulty in linking F-35 and F-22 aircrafts operationally as the two fighter aircrafts cannot share data with the fleet or each other. Topics include the Air Force's plans to equip all aircrafts with the F-35 Multi-function Advanced Data Link system; the Multi- Domain Adaptable Processing System (MAPS) program that aims to connect aircrafts to fourth-generation fighters; and inclusion of infrared search and track sensor in MAPS hardware.

The article discusses the issues related to the debut of the Lockheed Martin F-35 multirole fighter at the Farnborough International Airshow. It mentions the problems associated with the F-35 engine problems as an embarrassment for engine supplier Pratt & Whitney and adds failure of the Bombardier's CSeries jet. It includes comments from Christopher Bogdan, head of the F-35 Joint Program Office, on reducing its costs.

The article offers brief information on the infrared (IR) missile warning satellite system from the U.S. Air Force. It mentions that the U.S. employs the sensors that detect a ballistic missile launch from North Korea, Iran and Russia. It offers information on the Sbirs geosynchronous (GEO) satellites in orbit.

The article reports on the competition between the rocket suppliers United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX for the U.S. Air Force (USAF)'s request for proposals for a satellite system GPS III mission slated to launch in May 2018. Topics discussed include effort of both the companies to bid for USAF's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, and views of Claire Leon, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center's Launch Enterprise Directorate, on the results of the bid.

The article reports that the future of workhorse propulsion firm Aerojet Rocketdyne which has been pushing to get its AR1 rocket motor onto either the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 or in a primary position Vulcan, is uncertain due to emergence of Blue Origin, a new competitor with private funding to help speed its development work. Topics include the problem being that Blue Origin was developing ULA's engine of choice for Vulcan and views of the chairman of ULA Craig Cooning on the same.

The article reports that the U.S. Air Force's Air Craft F-15C indicates a bright future as of the lack of an official retirement date. It mentions that the F-15C was to be replaced by a fleet of F-22s who production was ended by Defense Secretary Robert Gates in 2009 due to high costs in its production. It presents the views of says Mike Gibbons, Boeing's F-15 vice president, on the same.

The article offers information on the 2015 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference held in Washington on September 14, 2015 during which two generals of the U.S. Air Force including Herbert Carlisle and Bradley Heithold emphasized that advances in generating a laser of operationally significant power, cooling, and beam control all point to an operational date by 2020. Topics include AC-130 aircraft based option and a fighter-borne laser for strategic targets during air campaigns.

The article discusses the plan of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for the Long-Range Strike Bomber. Topics discussed include application of stealth technologies, a report of the U.S. Government Accountability Office for the U.S. nuclear containment & modification plan and views of the U.S. Strategic Command chief Admiral Cecil Haney at the 2015 Space and Missile Defense Conference in Huntsville, Alabama regarding nuclear-capable version operational around 2030.

The article reports on new stealthy bombers of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and informs that the USAF will keep the B-52 and B-1 bombers by 2040. It presents views of the USAF's chief of staff general Mark Welsh regarding the replacement of the B-52 and B-1 bombers by new one. It also highlights comments of the U.S. Strategic Command chief admiral Cecil Haney for new bomber ready for nuclear operations around 2030.

The article reports that the U.S. rocket engine manufacturer Aerojet has purchased United Launch Alliance as of September 2015. Topics discussed includes certification earned by the Space Exploration Technologies from the U.S. Air Force, the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program and views of Boeing's chief executive officer (CEO) Jim McNerney for the same.

The article offers information on a bomber development project of the U.S. Air Force. Topics discussed include negotiations about the program with former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, briefing of the program which revealed that cost will be controlled and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract which means that the contractor will not earn profits without performing.

the article reports on issuance of three concept development contracts for the Multiple Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) program by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). It mentions that the contract has been awarded to airplane manufacturers Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing. It mentions that MDA Director James Syring refused to outline a specific cost target.

The article reports that aerospace company Boeing is facing delay for the maiden flight of its first fully outfitted KC-46 tanker due to the use of subpar fuel as a substitute an integrated fuel system. It mentions that a mislabeled solution was mistakenly inserted into the aircraft's fuel system during ground vibration testing and the it will pass through the crucial flutter-test phase. It also mentions that Scott Fancher, executive of Boeing, will look out the problem.

The article focuses on challenges associated with operations of the F-35 operations with the U.S. Marine Corps. It informs that the aircraft faces major testing challenges, including continued trials of the 3F software package required for external weapons stores. It presents views of Jon Davis, the Marines' deputy commandant for aviation, who said that main goal of the F-35 operation is to maintain an 80 percent mission-capable rate.

The article focuses on the strategies of the U.S. Navy to introduce new payload for the EA-18G Growler electronic-attack aircraft, as of August 2015. It states that the decision has been impacted by lessons from airstrikes in Syria and Libya, and mentions the installation of an advanced targeting forward-looking infrared (ATFLIR) system in the aircraft. It notes the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) EA-18G aircraft by Boeing, which is supposedly similar to the Navy aircraft.

The article reports on strategies of aerospace companies Boeing and Saab to launch the fighter airplane T-X, as of October 2015. It states the possible purchases of fighter aircrafts by the U.S. Air Force from aerospace companies like Lockheed Martin, and mentions features and possible development costs of the T-X fighter plane.

The article discusses about the issues affecting the KC-46 aerial tanker program of aerospace company Boeing. Topics discussed include an overview of the KC-46 aerial tanker model and its integrated fuel systems, the impact of the U.S. Air Force's requirements on the KC-46 aerial tanker program, and a brief description of the defects found in the tanker's fuel system. The article also presents the opinions of chief executive officer Dennis Muilenburg concerning the issues in the program.

The article presents a reprint of the article "Massive Air Launch System Promises Reduced Costs" which appeared in the July 24, 2015 issue of the publication "Aviation Week & Space Technology." It focuses on the air launch system adopted by aerospace company Vulcan Aerospace called Stratolaunch Systems. It also provides a description of the system and its advantages over conventional launch system.

The article discusses the decision of the U.S. Air Force to adopt the Automatic Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS) technology for its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drones. Topics include a Description of the ATLS technology, the benefits offered by ATLS technology to drone pilots, and an overview of the 2015 funding request document prepared by the Air Force for the adoption of ATLS technology.

The article discusses the investigation into the launch failure of the Falcon 9/CRS-7 resupply rocket of the SpaceX company on June 28, 2015. U.S. Air Force spokesman Chris Calkins takes note of the decision to self-destruct after detection of overpressurization at first-stage while 45th Operations Group deputy commander Thomas Ste. Marie addresses public safety for launch missions. Flight termination over the ocean and outside of protected areas is also discussed.

The article discusses the live virtual constructive training system introduced by the U.S. Air Force for its pilots combining simulator and live flying elements. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin Mission and Training Systems manager Lou Olinto takes note of the ability of pilots to virtually engage threats in an anti-access/area-denied (A2/AD) environment as required by the Air Combat Command. The operational cost of the U.S. Marine Corps for F-35 fighter training is also noted.

The article discusses the efforts of the Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dynetics and Schafer aerospace consortium to incorporate the AR1 rocket engine to the Atlas V system of the U.S. Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. It takes note of the assignment to United Launch Alliance of the Atlas rocket design and the certification of Falcon 9 booster of competitor SpaceX. Air Force procurement chief William LaPlante and spokeswoman Annmarie Annicelli note the degree of control of Alliance.

The article reports on the 1 billion-dollar cost avoidance the U.S. Air Force is boasting of through a redesign of the Space-Based Infrared System (Sbirs) early missile warning satellite built by Lockheed Martin. Topics discussed include the modification that was agreed to the June 2014 contract award for Sbirs geosynchronous (GEO) satellites 5-6, the flexibility the refresh design will allow, and the Air Force's Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload program.

The article reports on the collaboration between several aerospace firms including Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Northrop Grumman in the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (STARS) initiative of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Topics discussed include the sensor system to be contributed by Raytheon to the initiative, remarks from Skunk Works vice president of strategy Jack O'Banion regarding the deal, and the objectives and operations of the Joint STARS project.

The article reports on the testing of the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter aircraft during the 2015 Green Flag exercises performed by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada. Topics discussed include the notable performance and capabilities demonstrated by the F-35 aircraft, remarks from Nellis AFB spokesman Sanjay Allen regarding the F-35 flight testing results, and the lessons learned by F-35 pilots from the exercises.

The article focuses on the support by the U.S. Defense Department to block buy of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) from aerospace company Lockheed Martin. Topics covered include the interest shown by every F-35 partner nation in participating in a block buy of the single-engine jets, the benefit of the block buy to countries choosing to participate according to Pentagon procurement chief Frank Kendall and the country's partners in the Joint Strike Fighter project.

The article focuses on the investigation by the U.S. Air Force of a possible Procurement Integrity Act violation that occurred in the lead-up to a request for proposals (RFP) for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Topics covered include the call by lawmakers to break the United Launch Alliance's (ULA) monopoly over military space launches and the posting by Lieutenant General Samuel Greaves of a paper for coordination among officials and program stakeholders.