DefenceTalkThe US military’s bureaucratic watchdog on Monday accused companies building the F-35 fighter of shoddy management that could jeopardize the reliability, performance and cost of the aircraft. The Pentagon inspector general cited 363 problems in the design and manufacture of the costly Joint Strike Fighter, the hi-tech warplane that is supposed to serve as the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-f-35-jet-plagued-by-shoddy-quality-control-audit-49237/

DefenceTalkBoeing has recently finished delivering more than 40 computer processing units that will support an integrated network of computer and communication equipment critical to U.S. Army air and missile defenses. Boeing’s Plug and Fight Processing Units are the main computing assets that link together various Army weapons and sensor platforms with the Integrated Air and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-completes-deliveries-of-processing-units-for-armys-air-missile-defense-network-49181/

DefenceTalkThe leader of Air Combat Command unveiled his assessment of the blueprint required for the combat air forces in the 2020s in remarks during the Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17. On the second day of the three-day, 55-session conference highlighting various topics relevant to the Air Force, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/combat-air-forces-leader-describes-role-requirement-of-future-force-49109/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force’s third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite, designed and built by a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team, is ready to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Launch is set for Sept. 18 with a two-hour launch window opening at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-ready-to-launch-third-advanced-extremely-high-frequency-satellite-49096/

DefenceTalkThis report seeks to inform the debate over the extent of U.S. military presence overseas by providing a rigorous estimate of the costs associated with maintaining U.S. Air Force installations and units overseas rather than in the United States. The authors describe the various types of expenditures required to maintain bases and military units overseas […]https://www.defencetalk.com/cost-analysis-of-the-us-air-force-overseas-posture-49092/

DefenceTalkAfter a 20-year wait, the B-2 Spirit will receive a significant new communications upgrade. The first increment of the Common Very Low Frequency Receiver, or CVR, program was designed to be a successor to the very low frequency communication system originally slated to be included with the B-2’s communication package. The original system was deferred […]https://www.defencetalk.com/b-2-undergoes-communications-upgrade-48956/

DefenceTalkAirmen applying for tuition assistance in fiscal 2014 will see several changes in both eligibility for and administration of the program. Due to these changes, the application window for classes beginning on or after Oct. 1 will not open until Sept. 9 to allow for system updates. This program is applicable to Guard and Reserve […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-tuition-assistance-application-window-delayed-for-fy14-48930/

DefenceTalkGroundbreaking advancements to F-16 Fighting Falcon warfare training here arrived during the week of Aug. 12 through 16 in the form of a Joint Deployable Electronic Warfare Range, or JDEWR. The JDEWR is a weapon system that provides tactical-level training to participants in live training events. It’s implemented as a threat capable of submitting ground […]https://www.defencetalk.com/training-system-brings-fight-to-f-16-pilots-48870/

DefenceTalkA program office here working to provide warfighters with a new ground-based, long-range radar system is ready to move forward after the completion of recent prototype demonstrations. The Theater Battle Control Division’s Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar, or 3DELRR, program office recently evaluated three prototype capability demonstrations during the pre-engineering and manufacturing development phase of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/long-range-radar-program-heading-to-next-phase-48866/

DefenceTalkThe US Air Force is unable to keep up with a growing demand for pilots capable of operating drones, partly due to a shortage of volunteers, according to a new study. Despite the importance placed on the burgeoning robotic fleet, drone operators face a lack of opportunities for promotion to higher ranks and the military […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-lacks-volunteers-to-operate-drones-48831/