The F-35 Joint Program Office, which runs the fighter effort from just outside Washington, awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.6 billion spare parts contract last week. It is the largest such deal in the history of the F-35 Lightning II program.
Pentagon
The Pentagon has raised its estimated cost of the ongoing Iran conflict to $37.5 billion, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warning lawmakers that military training could be reduced unless Congress quickly approves supplemental funding.
The US Air Force is significantly expanding its long-range strike capabilities after the Pentagon announced new framework agreements with three defense companies to accelerate the production of affordable air-launched cruise missiles.
The US Marine Corps has accepted 6 F-35B jets without radars, fitting ballast in the nose cones to maintain weight and balance. A delayed Northrop Grumman AN/APG-85 radar is the cause, and the Air Force and Navy will face the same situation later this year.
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 achieves first supersonic flight at Mach 1.21 over White Sands during its third test flight.
The Pentagon’s latest operational assessment found that the F-35 Lightning II modernization program has failed to deliver the combat improvements originally expected from its Technology Refresh 3 upgrade package.
Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin $177M for three F-35 flight test jets to accelerate delayed Block 4 upgrades and certifications.
The Pentagon has awarded Pratt & Whitney a $6.6 billion contract to supply F135 engines for upcoming F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program production batches.
The US Department of Defense has introduced stricter requirements for Airmen and Space Force Guardians seeking religious accommodations to wear beards.
The Pentagon has raised the projected cost of its Golden Dome missile defense system to $185 billion, reflecting expanded requirements for advanced space-based technologies.