F-35 to serve into 2060s as sixth-gen timeline left vague
The Ministry of Defence has said the UK’s F-35 fleet will remain in frontline service into the 2060s.
F-22 jet controls MQ-20 combat drone in advanced trials
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris have completed a new crewed-uncrewed teaming demonstration in which an F-22 Raptor directly commanded an MQ-20 Avenger unmanned jet.
UK revising delayed F-35 stealth verification plans to 2027
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the UK does not yet have a domestic facility to measure the stealth characteristics of its F-35B fleet, with a revised business case for a sovereign verification site now delayed until 2027.
MOD disputes National Audit Office F-35 availability figures
The Ministry of Defence said the F-35 availability figures published by parliamentary committees lack essential context and rely on a metric that does not reflect how the fleet is actually operated.
British F-35 engineer shortfalls to take years to fix
The Ministry of Defence expects it will take three to four years to resolve the engineer shortages affecting the UK’s F-35 programme, according to statements made in response to Parliamentary questions.
GA-ASI and Saab plan demo of AEW&C-equipped MQ-9B drone
The trial will take place at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon site in Southern California using an MQ-9B fitted with Saab’s airborne early warning sensors, a platform the UK has also acquired in its Protector programme.
Ukraine signs up to buy 100 French fighter jets
Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 French Rafale multirole fighter jets along with air defence systems and drones during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris.
Saab wins new Arexis orders for German jets
Saab has secured two major orders from Airbus Defence and Space to supply its Arexis electronic warfare suite for German Eurofighters, the UK Defence...
Robertson: China a ‘problem’, not direct threat for now
Lord Robertson and Lord West used the latest Lord Speaker’s Corner podcast to outline how Beijing and New Delhi fit into the shifting geopolitical landscape, arguing that Western policy must adapt to long-term structural realities.
RAF Gibraltar underscores UK reach in Mediterranean
Squadron Leader David Walker, the station’s Executive Officer, has highlighted the role of RAF Gibraltar in sustaining the UK’s posture in the western Mediterranean.
