Air Force Archives - Page 5 of 2538

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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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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Meet the air boss of RTAF’s 88th Anniversary Airshow

Posted on March 6, 2025March 6, 2025 by alert5

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is set to mark its 88th anniversary with a spectacular international airshow on Mar. 7-8, 2025, at Wing 6 in Don Mueang, Bangkok. Aviation enthusiasts can look forward to breathtaking aerial displays featuring teams from around the world, including the August 1st Aerobatic Team from China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team from the Indian Air Force, and the U.S. Air Force’s cutting-edge F-35A demonstration team. The RTAF will also showcase its own aerial prowess by bringing the Saab JAS 39 fighter of the Shark Gripen Demonstraion Team from Wing 7, Surat Thani, performing flying demonstrations that highlight the capabilities of this advanced Swedish-made combat aircraft.

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USAF hustles Harpoon onto F-16

Posted on February 28, 2025 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force 53rd Test and Evaluation Group’s Detachment 3 recently conducted an operational taxi test at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, successfully integrating a U.S. Navy AGM-84 Harpoon missile system onto an F-16 fighter.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Perish
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