Internationale fighter ontwikkelingen

[Sparkplug]

F-15EX Fleet Too Small For What Commanders Want Out Of It

Air Force leadership touts the F-15EX's unique abilities and mission sets, but most of the 104 jet fleet will have to focus on one thing.

An important theme to come out of the Air & Space Forces Association's main annual symposium this year was the unique mix of capabilities the new F-15EX Eagle II fighter offers and how those attributes will be in very high demand. Air Force leadership constantly spotlighted what the F-15EX will bring to the table, especially in the context of a Pacific fight.

.../...

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-15ex-fleet-too-small-for-what-commanders-want-out-of-it

De toekomstige vloot F-15EX is te klein. Niet alleen de F-15C/D gaat eruit, maar er zijn ook plannen voor het verkleinen van de F-15E vloot (van 218 stuks naar 99 stuks).

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-f-15e-senate-ndaa-debate/

[Harald]

F-15EX Fleet Too Small For What Commanders Want Out Of It

Air Force leadership touts the F-15EX's unique abilities and mission sets, but most of the 104 jet fleet will have to focus on one thing.

An important theme to come out of the Air & Space Forces Association's main annual symposium this year was the unique mix of capabilities the new F-15EX Eagle II fighter offers and how those attributes will be in very high demand. Air Force leadership constantly spotlighted what the F-15EX will bring to the table, especially in the context of a Pacific fight.

The Eagle IIs are especially well-positioned to act as airborne controllers for future Collaborative Combat Aircraft and other drones, be launch platforms for hypersonic weapons and other large munitions, and provide new advanced electronic warfare capabilities. These roles are beyond its central counter-air focus and its task of helping to protect the U.S. homeland.

What isn't being addressed is how the Air Force can hope to make the most of what the F-15EX has to offer with a planned fleet of just over 100 jets, many of which will be tasked primarily to perform the aforementioned homeland defense mission, especially in a time of major crisis or war.

The War Zone previously explored the many pitfalls of a truncated Eagle II purchase in great detail when the Air Force said it would only buy around 80 of the jets. The Air Force currently plans to acquire 104 Eagle IIs in total, still down from an originally planned minimum fleet size of at least 144.

.../...

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-15ex-fleet-too-small-for-what-commanders-want-out-of-it

[Harald]

Czech government greenlights deal for 24 F-35s

The $5 billion deal would see Prague get all 24 F-35As by 2035, while extending a lease of older Saab Gripen jets thorough that date.

.../...

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/czech-government-greenlights-deal-for-24-f-35s/

[Huzaar1]

Australië is bereid af te zien van de aankoop van 30 F-35 Lightning II gevechtsvliegtuigen van de vijfde generatie ter vervanging van de F/A-18F Super Hornet.

https://gagadget.com/nl/aviation/317875-australie-is-bereid-af-te-zien-van-de-aankoop-van-30-f-35-lightning-ii-gevechtsvliegtuigen-van-de-vijfde-generat/

[Sparkplug]

The Status of the F-35 Programme (lang artikel van de Finse luchtmacht)

https://ilmavoimat.fi/en/-/the-status-of-the-f-35-programme

[Harald]

A first Dassault Aviation Rafale B for the Croatian air force has been photographed in flight at Saint-Dizier air base in France.

Zagreb in 2021 signed a contract to acquire a dozen Rafales sourced from French air force stocks to replace its Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-21s. It will receive 10 single-seat Cs and two B-model examples.

Pictured at Saint-Dizier on 14 September, two-seat aircraft 701 sports Croatian markings, including a two-tone-grey tail.

Croatia's secondhand aircraft are around 14 years old, but have a remaining operational airframe life of roughly 3,800 flight hours each.

A first batch of 12 Croatian air force pilots started their training for operating the type at Saint-Dizier earlier this year. In total, France will provide instruction for around 80 Croatian personnel over a period of approximately 18 months.

First aircraft deliveries are expected late this year, with eight Rafales scheduled to arrive in Croatia during 2024 and the remainder to follow in early 2025.

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/first-croatian-air-force-rafale-b-takes-flight/154978.article

[Harald]

Spain launches Halcon II follow-on buy of Eurofighter combat aircraft

Spain has officially launched its anticipated Halcon II follow-on buy of Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, budgetary documents released by the government show.

Published by the Council of Ministers on 12 September, the documents say that 25 additional Eurofighters (designated C.16 in national service) will be acquired to replace the Boeing EF-18 Hornet (C.15M) aircraft that the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire Español: EdAE) is decommissioning from 2030.

"The C.15M aircraft fleet is currently about to begin the process of decommissioning, scheduled for around 2030, so it is necessary to replace it. This requires the acquisition of 25 new EF2000 [Eurofighter] aircraft, engines, and associated mission support systems," the council said. A Eurofighter spokesperson confirmed to Janes that this represents the launch of the Halcon II procurement rather than an expansion of the previous Halcon I buy of 20 aircraft.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/defence/latest/spain-launches-halcon-ii-follow-on-buy-of-eurofighter-combat-aircraft

[Sparkplug]

Lockheed Martin And Slovak Republic Minister Of Defence Unveil Country's First F-16 Block 70 Aircraft

GREENVILLE, S.C, Sept. 7, 2023 – The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Slovak Republic was unveiled at Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) facility in Greenville, South Carolina, during a visit from the country's Minister of Defence, Martin Sklenár.

The Slovak Republic will be the first European country to receive this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon. The F-16 Block 70 aircraft will deliver decades of 21st Century Security capabilities in support of the Slovak Republic's national security. 

"These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region, and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO and around the world," said OJ Sanchez, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. "This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic and allies."

This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic.

About the F-16

The F-16 is a strategic and valuable choice for many customers around the world seeking advanced fighter aircraft capabilities, regional and worldwide partnerships, and affordable lifecycle costs. More than 3,100 F-16s are operating today in 25 countries. The F-16 has flown an estimated 19.5 million flight hours and at least 13 million sorties. Today's latest version, the Block 70/72, offers unparalleled capabilities and will be flown by six countries and counting.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.


Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Martin Sklenár (left) and Vice President of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin OJ Sanchez (right)


This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic.

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2023-09-07-Lockheed-Martin-and-Slovak-Republic-Minister-of-Defence-Unveil-Countrys-First-F-16-Block-70-Aircraft#assets_all

[Sparkplug]

Lockheed Martin Statement: First TR-3 Delivery

SEPTEMBER 06, 2023

We have updated our F-35 TR-3 schedule projections with a first TR-3 aircraft delivery between April and June 2024. As a result, we now expect to deliver 97 aircraft in 2023, all in the TR-2 configuration. We are producing F-35s at a rate of 156 per year and expect to continue at that pace while simultaneously working to finalize TR-3 software development and testing. Additionally, we remain focused on receiving the necessary hardware from our suppliers to deliver this critical combat capability for the F-35.

https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/statements-speeches/2023/lockheed-martin-first-TR-3-delivery.html

[Harald]

extra info :

Boeing offers F-15EX for Poland, but details are scant

Boeing declined to talk about "price and delivery schedule" on a potential F-15EX sale to Warsaw, but clearly has high hopes for Poland as a market.

Boeing today announced it is actively seeking to sell its F-15EX fighter aircraft to Poland — but for now, both sides are keeping their cards close to their chest.

Boeing held a Thursday press conference at the annual MSPO defense trade exhibition, although offered little in the way of details about what a potential F-15EX buy would look like.

Rob Novotny, director of business development for Boeing's F-15 program, declined to talk about "price and delivery schedule" for the American firm's offering to Warsaw. He also acknowledged that "there is no negotiations and no contract talks, only some conversations with Polish Air Force."

.../...

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/boeing-offers-f-15ex-for-poland-but-details-are-scant/

[Lynxian]

Hoe duur is een oorlog?

Kan zijn dat ze de F16's op termijn doorschuiven naar Oekraïne.

Dat is geen slechte gedachte. Dan houden ze F35 en F15EX over voor hun hoofdmacht en de FA-50GF voor het opleiden van de vele piloten die ze nodig gaan hebben.

[Enforcer]

Maar kun je deze mix met 4 vliegtuigtypen wel betalen, onderhouden ?

De defensie investeringen van Polen zit op ca. 4% ! dat is nog meer dan de Amerikanen

Hoe duur is een oorlog?

Kan zijn dat ze de F16's op termijn doorschuiven naar Oekraïne.

[Harald]

De interesse voor de F-15EX begint te groeien ! Indonesië, Polen

Voor de Polen snap ik wel de interesse, de Mig-29 en de SU-22 willen ze vervangen, met de F-15EX hebben ze een hele goede mix, namelijk F-15EX, F-35A, F-16C/D en FA-50GF.
Maar kun je deze mix met 4 vliegtuigtypen wel betalen, onderhouden ?

De defensie investeringen van Polen zit op ca. 4% ! dat is nog meer dan de Amerikanen


https://www.thedrive.com/uploads/2023/09/07/nato-defense-spending-by-percent-of-gdp.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&quality=70&width=1440

[Parera]

Poland Eyeing F-15EX Buy Amid Weapons Buying Spree

Poland has an active interest in buying F-15EX Eagle II fighters, according to the jet's manufacturer Boeing. This announcement comes amid continued uncertainty about the U.S. Air Force's F-15EX plans and a massive Polish defense spending spree that has already included the purchase of new combat aircraft.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/poland-eyeing-f-15ex-buy-amid-weapons-buying-spree

[Sparkplug]

Lockheed Martin delays F-35 deliveries further because of TR-3 issues

07 SEPTEMBER 2023

by Gareth Jennings

Lockheed Martin has had to delay again the delivery of Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3)-standard F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft to international customers as it looks to finalise software developments.

The manufacturer announced the move on 6 September, saying that TR-2 configuration aircraft will continue to be delivered as planned.

"We have updated our F-35 TR-3 schedule projections with a first TR-3 aircraft delivery between April and June 2024. As a result, we now expect to deliver 97 aircraft in 2023, all in the TR-2 configuration. We are producing F-35s at a rate of 156 per year and expect to continue at that pace while simultaneously working to finalise TR-3 software development and testing," Lockheed Martin said. "Additionally, we remain focused on receiving the necessary hardware from our suppliers to deliver this critical combat capability for the F-35," the company added.

News of the extended delay of TR-3 deliveries through to the second quarter of 2024 came weeks after the company had to trim its planned delivery rate for 2023 from 147–153 aircraft down to 100–120 aircraft, also because of delays in developing the TR-3 upgrade.

Up to that announcement in mid-July, Lockheed Martin had delivered 50 TR-2 jets to customers. It said at that time that it "remained fully dedicated" to delivering its first TR-3 aircraft in 2023. The company noted that it had not changed its expectation that annual deliveries will increase to 156 F-35s in 2025 and "the foreseeable future". Lockheed Martin delivered 141 F-35s in 2022. It is unclear if this latest delay will impact this expectation.

Already a Janes subscriber? Read the full article via the Client Login

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/lockheed-martin-delays-f-35-deliveries-further-because-of-tr-3-issues

Lockheed Martin trims F-35 jet delivery outlook after supplier delays

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/lockheed-martin-trims-f-35-jet-delivery-outlook-2023-09-06/