SINGAPORE - A proposal for Singapore's F-15 fighter jet training to be conducted in New Zealand on a long-term basis will not be taking off, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Monday (Jan 7). The decision follows nearly two years of discussions between the two countries, and confirms a New Zealand media report last month (Dec 2018) that the plans have been scrapped due to "excessive costs". In response to media queries, Mindef said the ministry and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)appreciated New Zealand's support in assessing the feasibility of a long-term fighter training detachment in Ohakea, in Manawatu on the North Island. "Both sides have mutually concluded that the proposal will not proceed. Singapore and New Zealand will continue to look for new opportunities to cooperate on defence and security activities," it added, without specifying reasons behind the decision. In the report on New Zealand-based news website Newsroom on December 21, New Zealand's Defence … [Read more...] about Proposal for Singapore’s F-15 fighter jets to train in New Zealand cancelled: Mindef
News s f
The US Navy just quietly sent an F-35 aircraft carrier to the Pacific — and it signals a big change
caption An F-35B beginning its short takeoff from the USS America with an external weapons load. source Lockheed Martin The US Navy deployed the USS Essex, a small-deck aircraft carrier, to the Western Pacific with a deck full of US Marine Corps F-35Bs Joint Strike Fighters – but it did it with secrecy. The US typically hypes up F-35 deployments, but this time it was silent, perhaps signaling a big shift. The US has major adversaries in the Western Pacific and may be shifting to a more operational approach to keeping them in check, rather than using media attention. The US Navy broke with its tradition of hyping up F-35 deployments when it sent the USS Essex jump-jet carrier into the Western Pacific with a deck full of the revolutionary fighter jets this week – and it could signal a big change in how the US deals with its toughest adversaries. When the USS Wasp became the first small-deck aircraft carrier to deploy with US Marine Corps F-35Bs … [Read more...] about The US Navy just quietly sent an F-35 aircraft carrier to the Pacific — and it signals a big change
Exclusive: Lockheed resumes F-35 jet deliveries to Pentagon
Business The U.S. Department of Defense has resumed accepting F-35 jet deliveries from Lockheed Martin Corp after reaching an agreement on who would cover the costs to fix a production error, a Pentagon official said on Monday. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The cost of the fix was US$119 million, people familiar with the situation had previously told Reuters. 08 May 2018 03:20AM (Updated: 08 May 2018 03:55AM) Bookmark WASHINGTON: The U.S. Department of Defense resumed accepting F-35 jet deliveries from Lockheed Martin Corp last week after reaching an agreement on who would cover the costs to fix a production error, the Pentagon told Reuters on Monday.The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The cost of the fix was US$119 million, people familiar with the situation had previously told Reuters.The Pentagon had stopped accepting the jets on March 29, the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program office told Reuters in a statement. The dispute was over who was … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Lockheed resumes F-35 jet deliveries to Pentagon
News Lockheed Martin to propose stealthy hybrid of F-22 and F-35 for Japan
TOKYO - U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp plans to offer Japan a stealth fighter design based on its export-banned F-22 Raptor and advanced F-35 Lightning II aircraft, two sources said. Lockheed has discussed the idea with Japanese defense ministry officials and will make a formal proposal in response to a Japanese request for information (RFI) after it receives permission from the U.S. government to offer the sensitive military technology, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of the proposal. The decision on whether to release parts of the highly classified aircraft designs and software to help Japan stay ahead of Chinese advances will test President Donald Trump's promise to overhaul his country's arms export policy. The proposed aircraft "would combine the F-22 and F-35 and could be superior to both of them," said one of the sources. Japan, which is already buying the radar-evading F-35 to modernise its inventory, also wants to introduce a separate air superiority … [Read more...] about News Lockheed Martin to propose stealthy hybrid of F-22 and F-35 for Japan
Jaguar doubles down on power with new F-Pace SVR SUV
On Tuesday, March 27, prior to the first official press day of the New York Auto Show, Jaguar debuted a hyped-up version of its best-selling compact SUV. The new Jaguar F-Pace SVR is faster, more powerful, and a crucial play for consumers of small luxury SUVs. Next year, the hyper-competitive segment is expected to grow by double digits in the US alone, according to analytics firm IHS Markit. A supercharged 5.0-liter, V8 engine gets 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque—that’s 170 more horsepower than Jag’s F-Pace S—with a top speed of 176 miles per hour and a 4.1 second sprint time. The news comes on the heels of Jaguar’s having committed to a 20,000-strong fleet of self-driving I-Pace SUVs in partnership with Waymo, a ride-hailing taxi service spun off from Google. The I-Pace was introduced during the Geneva Motor Show recently and, as the company’s first … [Read more...] about Jaguar doubles down on power with new F-Pace SVR SUV