Air Force explores unmanned version of F-117 stealth fighter aircraft

Posted at: Fri Apr 21st, 2006

The Air Force is exploring the option of converting some of the Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-117A Nighthawk stealth strike aircraft that it otherwise plans to retire in the next several years to unmanned attack platforms, according to service and industry sources.

JSF - Hidden problems of stealth

Posted at: Fri Apr 21st, 2006

While there is no Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) export 'variant' as such, it is apparent from a review of open sources that it would be practical to deliver JSFs in different configurations with different signatures to match national operational requirements documents, protecting US and UK aircraft fro...

NAVAIR UAV Chief Says New Strategy Needed For Joint Development

Posted at: Fri Apr 21st, 2006

The demise of the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program is another example of why the Pentagon needs to reconsider what it wants from joint development programs, the head of the Navy's strike weapons and unmanned aviation program said April 18.

Defense Officials Outline Long-Range, Global Strike Plans

Posted at: Fri Apr 21st, 2006

The U.S. Air Force's analysis of alternatives (AOA) for a new long-range strike (LRS) bomber awaits formal approval by the Pentagon's acquisition chief, while the service's prompt global strike (PGS) concept's AOA is about to be published, Air Force Brig. Gen. Andrew Dichter said April 19.

F-22 Raptor Flight Tests AMRAAM Missile Noise, Vibration

Posted at: Fri Apr 21st, 2006

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --- The F-22 Combined Test Force here achieved another first when a Raptor flew with an AIM-120D missile in its weapons bay to test the effect of noise and vibration on the missile April 14. What was unique about the flight was that the weapon on boar...

Lockheed Prepares for New THAAD Tests

Posted at: Fri Apr 21st, 2006

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has created 30 new jobs to support testing of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, Hawaii. Lockheed Martin has begun hiring and is actively recruiting engineers, anal...