Lockheed Martin

Turkey is getting Su-35s instead of F-35s, but how do the two fighters stack up?

In recent months, Turkey announced plans to purchase Russia’s advanced S-400 air defense system, a decision that cost them their opportunity to purchase America’s premier fighter, the F-35. Since then, speculation has run rampant about what fighter platform Turkey will procure in its place, with initial rumors pointing toward Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57. These rumors were […]

Pentagon announces new deal that makes the F-35 cheaper than buying new F-15s

The Air Force has agreed to purchase 478 more F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from Lockheed Martin for an estimated $34 billion. This announcement represents a reduction in cost for the most advanced fighter on the planet and is sure to reignite debate about the proper makeup of America’s fighter forces. Last year, the U.S. Air […]

After more than 20 years of development, F-35 production expected to be delayed again

In 1997, Lockheed Martin earned the distinction of being one of two final competitors for the Pentagon’s revolutionary new Joint Strike Fighter concept program. Within four years, they had beaten out the competition at Boeing and secured victory for their X-35 concept. Five years after that, in February of 2006, the first production F-35A rolled […]

The aircraft’s software crashed mid-flight, what do you do? F-35 pilot speaks out

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is widely considered to be the most advanced air combat platform ever to take to the skies, but with the increased capabilities allotted by new technologies comes an inherent drawback: the possibility that the technology can fail. That’s exactly the situation Captain Robert Larson, a student F-35 pilot assigned to […]

Raytheon found a way to double the F-35’s firepower

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is, without question, one of the most advanced combat aircraft ever to take to the sky. While most of the media coverage regarding the F-35 tends to focus on its stealth capabilities, the technology that makes the F-35 stand head and shoulders above its multi-role competition isn’t just skin-deep. By […]

From the Cockpit: Into Hell’s Mouth

Tullia continued to unload and accelerate, watching the missiles as they closed on his aircraft. As he reefed his Viper into yet another series of gut-wrenching turns, one missile passed so close that Tullia heard the roar of the rocket motor as it went by.

This is the only 5th generation fighter statistic that actually matters

Last week, China released a video that showed seven of their fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters flying in formation, suggesting to the world that China’s most advanced warplane may have finally moved into mass production. The stealth platform, which is believed to be based on stolen plans for America’s F-22 Raptor, has run into a number […]

From The Cockpit: Defensive BFM

This is our very first “organic” From The Cockpit video, featuring two Lockheed-Martin Block 42 F-16CMs dueling over the desert in the Southwest.

SEAL teams to get new clandestine underwater craft

As the Pentagon shifts its gaze from low-intensity conflicts to nation-level adversaries, the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is following suit, and the Navy SEAL teams are eager to prove their strategic utility in the rediscovered domain. SOCOM and the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) are focusing their efforts on two underwater craft: a Shallow Water […]

Air commandos will soon receive new combat search and rescue helicopter

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and the Air Force Rescue Squadrons (RQs) will soon receive their new search and rescue (SAR) workhorse, the Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter. The HH-60W recently completed its maiden flight and will soon replace the aging HH-60G Pave Hawk. According to Lockheed Martin, the parent company of Sikorsky, […]

Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan cleared of favoring former employer Boeing

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan is the longest-serving acting Pentagon head in American history, though he may have just cleared the final hurdle necessary to pursue an official appointment. An Inspector General (IG) investigation into the possibility Shanahan demonstrated favoritism toward his former employer while conducting official Pentagon duties has now cleared the former Boeing […]