2013-07-18 (Excerpts): The Japanese government has decided to allow domestic defense-related manufacturers to participate in production of U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets for the Air Self-Defense Force, government sources said Wednesday. The government, which will sign contracts with the manufacturers in August, is aiming to solidify Japan-U.S. relations in the…
2013-07-18 (Excerpts) Lockheed Martin recently delivered the 100th Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for the F-35 Lightning II. EOTS is the first sensor that combines forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality to provide F-35 pilots with situational awareness and air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting from a safe distance. This technology…
2013-07-17 The F-35 is built around a new maintenance approach. The computer-based system is designed to facility a global supply system with significant advantages for improvements in sortie generation rates and global supportability. But like any new system, the effort is a work in progress. With the declaration of entry into…
2013-07-17 The new A400M airlifter combines a capability to carry oversized equipment similar to a C-17 but deliver it on airfields more like the C-130 can land on. The ability to deliver significant amounts of equipment or supplies close to the area of operations is a significant development for the airlift…
2013-07-16 A contingent of 20 US marines arrives in Simon’s town on Saturday to begin preparation in earnest for next week’s joint Exercise Shared Accord. When in full swing in Eastern Cape as well as the sea off the province it is envisaged some 5 000 troops will be active…
2013-07-15 by Kenneth Maxwell This was a headline which appeared on USA Today on June 23, 2013: Brazil: 250K protest against government corruption. The article noted that: A quarter-million Brazilians took to the streets in the latest a wave of sometimes-violent protests that are increasingly focusing on corruption and reforming…
2013-07-14 “Australian industry is well placed to capitalize on the government's investment in the program, winning $329 million (US$303 million) in contracts to date," Minister for Defense Materiel Dr. Mike Kelly said. While Australian companies are currently bidding for work making parts for the construction of F-35 fighter, in the not-too-distant…
2013-07-13 Delivery of Morocco’s FREMM frigate is nearing, with the Mohammed VI having recently completed a third set of sea trials prior to delivery later this year, as the North African country continues to expand its navy. The ship’s builder DCNS said that the Mohammed VI frigate successfully completed a…
