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F-35 Lightning II advances closer to full-rate production after successful JSE testing

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In a landmark achievement for the F-35 Lightning II program, the final Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) event was successfully completed on September 21st. This pivotal phase of testing took place in the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE), marking a significant milestone in the development of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

JOTT, F-35 Five Ship behind tanker, 1 F-35C, 2 F-35B, & 2 F-35A, Edwards AFB, Ca., 20 September 2019

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Milestone achieved: First SRVL landing on HMS Prince of Wales by F-35B

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It was a crisp October morning when the mighty HMS Prince of Wales, Britain’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, sliced through the waters of the Western Atlantic. Aboard the massive warship, anticipation buzzed through the crew and the test team. The goal: to execute the very first Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) with the formidable F-35B Lightning II fighter jet.

A controller watches from his position in flying control (FLYCO) one of the build-up flights for the first F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) aboard HMS Prince of Wales (R09) aircraft carrier in the Western Atlantic Oct. 17, 2023. An F-35 test pilot performed the first roll-on landing of an F-35B fighter jet aboard Britain’s biggest warship Oct. 19, 2023. Marine Maj. Paul Gucwa piloted the short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the 5th generation strike aircraft for the first SRVL as part of developmental test phase 3 (DT-3) flight trials during the ship’s deployment to the Western Atlantic for WESTLANT 2023. “It was a wonderful experience to see our training and preparation lead to a predictable and comfortable outcome.” Gucwa said. “Expanding on the initial work the team executed during DT-1 and DT-2 is the next step in providing these types of increased capabilities to the warfighter, which is what flight test is all about” he said. F-35B pilots usually approach the carrier from the port side to a position adjacent to a landing spot. They then transition, or fly sideways, to the landing spot and land vertically. More than looking and sounding different, the landing technique could lead to tactics where a pilot returns to the ship with heavier loads, for example more fuel or weapons. (Photo by Mike Jackson)

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French and Taiwanese pilots collaborate in air combat training exercise

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In a demonstration of cooperation and skill-building, the Taiwanese and French Air Forces recently conducted their annual exchange at the Chiashan Air Force Base in Hualien. The event, which took place on Oct. 14, involved mixed teams of pilots from both nations, Central News Agency reported.

ROCAF Mirage 2000-5EI Pilot Opened Canopy and Waveing Hand on Runway 20120602
玄史生, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Apache Version 6.5 takes flight

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On Oct. 11, the AH-64E Apache achieved another milestone with the successful flight of the latest Version 6.5, marking a significant leap in the modernization of the world’s premier attack helicopter. This new configuration, known as the V6.5, is a critical step toward streamlining training and maintenance processes, all while enhancing the Apache’s operational capabilities.

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Photo: U.S. Army

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KC-135 Stratotankers of the 100th Air Refueling Wing transform operations with RTIC

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In a groundbreaking development, the 100th Air Refueling Wing has equipped some of its KC-135 Stratotankers with the Real-Time Information in the Cockpit (RTIC) system, marking a significant leap in military aviation capabilities. The RTIC system introduces advanced communication and information-sharing capabilities, enhancing situational awareness and tactical efficiency for aircrews.

The Real-Time Information in the Cockpit system – more commonly known as “RTIC” – is shown on one of the 100th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-135 Stratotankers, at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Oct. 18, 2023. The communications equipment provides the ability for aircrew to see tactical data-link information in the jet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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