Lockheed Martin has been forced to increase thrust and reduce weight on the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter to save more than 2,100kg (4,630lb) in 12 months. Most recently, the company has proposed more than 400 design changes to cut 1,225kg from the F-35B. The performance improvement plan also proposes to save about 550kg by increasing propulsion performance and redrafting some operating assumptions.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
