12 mars 2019 | International, Aérospatial
By: Kyle Rempfer
The XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator, a long-range, high-subsonic unmanned combat air vehicle, completed its inaugural flight Tuesday at Yuma Proving Grounds, in Arizona.
The Air Force's fleet of current drones, such as the MQ-9 Reaper, are basically giant gas bags that fly — able to loiter for long periods above friendly forces in order to provide armed overwatch and intelligence. But the airspace over future battlefields will likely not be permissive, and so new drones will need to be developed.
XQ-58A Valkyries were developed under the low-cost attritable aircraft technology program — meaning they're cheap and can be lost in combat without too much concern.
The drone and its derivatives are anticipated to perform a range of missions, including suppression of enemy air defenses, offensive and defensive counter-air maneuvers, nap-of-the-earth or terrain masking flight and high-altitude flying.
The Valkyrie appears to come with a stealthy, low radar signature design, meaning it may be able to be paired with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in a manned-unmanned configuration.
When entering enemy airspace filled with counter-air systems, the Valkyrie could conceivably soak up enemy fire or even attack enemy positions and aircraft.
The F-35 has been touted by the Air Force chief of staff as the “quarterback of the joint team," and not simply another stealth aircraft. The fifth-generation fighter is expected to come with a suite of information fusion capabilities, enabling its pilot to process information and coordinate on the battlefield like never before.
18 septembre 2024 | International, Aérospatial
Under the terms of the contract, KBR will continue to actively assist the F-16, A-10 and T-38 System Program Offices on their digital transformation journeys under digital material management initiatives
29 octobre 2019 | International, Aérospatial
The F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin finalized a US$34 billion agreement for the production and delivery of 478 F-35s at the lowest aircraft price during the history of the program. This contract includes all U.S., international partners and foreign military sales aircraft in Lots 12, 13 and 14. In the agreement, the F-35 Enterprise meets and exceeds its long-stated cost reduction targets for each variant – and the F-35A unit price, including aircraft and engine, is now below US$80 million in both Lot 13 and Lot 14, the F-35A unit cost represents an estimated overall 12.8 per cent reduction from Lot 11 costs for the conventional landing variant, and an average of 12.7 per cent savings across all three variants from Lot 11 to 14. “Driving down cost is critical to the success of this program. I am excited that the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin have agreed on this landmark three-lot deal. This agreement achieves an average 12.7 per cent cost reduction across all three variants and gets us below US$80 Million for a USAF F-35A by Lot 13 — one lot earlier than planned,” said Air Force LGen Eric Fick, F-35 program executive officer. “This US$34 billion agreement is a truly historic milestone for the F-35 Enterprise.” The agreement includes 291 aircraft for the U.S. Services, 127 for F-35 international partners, and 60 for F-35 foreign military sales customers. Price details include: F-35A — Lot 12: US$82.4M; Lot 13: US$79.2M; Lot 14: US$77.9M; % reduction from Lot 11: 12.8 per cent F-35B — Lot 12: US$108M; Lot 13: US$104.8M; Lot 14: US$101.3M; % reduction from Lot 11: 12.3 per cent F-35C — Lot 12: US$103.1M; Lot 13: US$98.1M; Lot 14: US$94.4M; % reduction from Lot 11: 13.2 per cent “With smart acquisition strategies, strong government-industry partnership and a relentless focus on quality and cost reduction, the F-35 Enterprise has successfully reduced procurement costs of the fifth generation F-35 to equal or less than fourth generation legacy aircraft,” said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin, F-35 program vice-president and general manager. “With the F-35A unit cost now below US$80 million in Lot 13, we were able to exceed our long-standing cost reduction commitment one year earlier than planned.” The sub US$80 million unit recurring flyaway cost for an F-35 represents an integrated acquisition price for the fifth generation weapon system. With embedded sensors and targeting pods, this F-35 unit price includes items that add additional procurement and sustainment costs to legacy fourth generation aircraft. Program Progress With more than 450 aircraft operating from 19 bases around the globe, the F-35 is playing a critical role in today's global security environment. More than 910 pilots and 8,350 maintainers have been trained, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed more than 220,000 cumulative flight hours. Eight nations have F-35s operating from a base on their home soil and seven services have declared initial operating capability. In addition to strengthening global security and partnerships, the F-35 provides economic stability to the U.S. and international partners by creating jobs, commerce and security, and contributing to the global trade balance. The F-35 is built by thousands of men and women in America and around the world. With more than 1,400 suppliers in 46 states and Puerto Rico, the F-35 Program supports more than 220,000 direct and indirect jobs in the U.S. alone. The program also includes more than 100 international suppliers, creating or sustaining thousands of jobs. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/pentagon-and-lockheed-martin-reach-agreement-reducing-f-35a-cost-by-12-8-per-cent
30 avril 2021 | International, Aérospatial
The proposal comprises 64 Gripen E fighter aircraft and an extensive weapons package, as well as two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft.