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Portugal and Canada re-evaluate F-35 amidst geopolitical shifts

Posted on March 17, 2025 by alert5

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, a highly advanced stealth fighter jet, represents a substantial and often debated military acquisition for any nation. Presently, both Portugal and Canada are at a critical juncture, re-evaluating their strategies concerning the procurement of these aircraft manufactured in the United States. These reassessments are occurring within a dynamic environment, influenced by evolving geopolitical landscapes and internal political and economic factors.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, lands for the first time at Souda Air Base, Greece, July 7, 2022. The fifth-generation aircraft will be participating in exercise Poseidon’s Rage, in an effort to bolster U.S.-Hellenic readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo By Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

Canada to invest in new helicopters amid Arctic concerns over F-35 jets

Posted on March 13, 2025 by alert5

Canada is set to embark on a significant military modernization effort, with plans to spend $18 billion on a new fleet of helicopters, according to reporting by David Pugliese of the Ottawa Citizen. A primary impetus behind this substantial investment is the need to respond to potential F-35 fighter jet crashes in the Arctic. Concerns regarding the F-35’s suitability for operations in the far north first emerged in 2010 when critics pointed out that the aircraft is equipped with only one engine, a potential drawback for reliability in the harsh Arctic environment.

Letartean, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Sikorsky successfully flies Rotor Blown Wing UAS

Posted on March 11, 2025 by alert5

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully validated the advanced control laws for its ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in both helicopter and aeroplane modes. This innovative prototype, weighing 115 pounds (52kg) and powered by batteries, has demonstrated operational stability and manoeuvrability across all flight regimes, showcasing its potential for scaling to larger sizes with hybrid-electric propulsion.

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Royal Thai Air Force celebrates 88th anniversary

Posted on March 10, 2025March 10, 2025 by alert5

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) recently marked its 88th anniversary with grand celebrations at the Air Force Base in Don Muang on Mar. 7-8. The theme of the airshow, “AIR SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH UNBEATABLE COLLABORATION,” underscored the RTAF’s commitment to national security through strong partnerships with various nations.

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X-37B concludes historic High-Orbit mission

Posted on March 10, 2025March 10, 2025 by alert5

The U.S. Space Force’s X-37B spaceplane successfully completed its seventh mission, touching down at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 02:22 a.m. EST on Mar. 7, following 434 days in orbit. The landing marked the conclusion of the program’s first mission to highly elliptical orbit.