Lockheed Martin Facing A Problem To Deliver F-35s Due To A Shortage Of A 'Handful Of Key Components'

Crew chiefs assigned to the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, perform a pre-flight check for an F-35A Lightning II aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Feb. 13, 2023. U.S. Air Force / Senior Airman Joshua Hastings 

EurAsian Times: Not Enough F-35s With The US To Fight A War; Lockheed Faces Huge Task Of Supplying Upgraded Jets 

At a time when it is argued that US “Air Force readiness and capacity levels are at all-time lows” and American fighter pilots are flying fewer hours compared to their counterparts in China, the Pentagon and the US lawmakers are worried that Lockheed Martin is not meeting its contractual agreements to supply enough upgraded fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets. 

Pentagon officials say that hardware for the Technology Refresh-3 upgrade is not being produced fast enough, and these shortages are slowing deliveries of the F-35’s latest upgrade, which, as a result, would cost “almost US$1 billion more than expected”. 

Read more .... 

Lockheed Martin Facing A Problem To Deliver F-35s Due To A Shortage Of A 'Handful Of Key Components' 

Newest F-35s stalled by slow production of key parts -- Defense News  

Industry isn’t building enough parts for upgraded F-35s, DOD says -- Defense One  

Lockheed F-35’s Upgrade Overrun Risks Topping $1 Billion, Top Lawmaker Says -- BNN Bloomberg  

'Handful of key components' creates F-35 fighter jet shortage -- Bulgarian Military  

Wittman Criticizes F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Program Delays -- USNI News

GAO Report Says F-35 Fighter Jets Are Only Capable Of Flying Missions 55% Of The Time

An F-35 aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 and an F-35B instructor pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 perform preflight checks on an F-35B Lightning II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 20, 2023. US Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan  

Insider: F-35 stealth fighter jets are only capable of flying missions a little over half the time, watchdog finds 

* A new government watchdog report reveals that the F-35 program is plagued by maintenance issues. 

* Because of these problems, the stealth fighters can only fly a mission just over half the time. 

* "Maintenance challenges negatively affect F-35 aircraft readiness," the report noted. 

The US military's F-35 fighters are only capable of flying missions just over half the time due to serious maintenance issues, according to a watchdog review of the Pentagon's long-term procurement plans for the stealth aircraft. 

The new findings, included in a lengthy report published on Thursday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), come just days after a F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter crashed over South Carolina during a training mishap, leading the US Marines Corps to issue a two-day pause to all flights over ongoing safety concerns.  

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Why is this not surprising. 

 GAO Report Says F-35 Fighter Jets Are Only Capable Of Flying Missions 55% Of The Time  

Only 55 percent of F-35s mission capable, putting depot work in spotlight: GAO -- Breaking Defense  

F-35 fighter jets are only ‘mission capable' 55% of the time, new report says -- NBC News  

America's F-35 fighter jets are only 'mission capable' HALF of the time and are costing $1.3 trillion to maintain new report claims - just days after $80M stealth plane crashed in South Carolina -- Daily Mail  

F-35 military fighter jets ‘mission capable’ 55% of time: Report -- News Nation  

F-35 Stealth Fighter Only Mission Capable About Half The Time, Government Report Finds -- Zero Hedge/Epoch Times

U.S. Marines Corps Orders 2-Day Stand-Down For All Jets

An F-35B jump jet practices vertical landing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. (US Marine Corps)  

Breaking Defense: Marines order 2-day aviation stand down after F-35 goes missing, third mishap in 6 weeks  

During the stand down, units will discuss "fundamentals of safe flight operations, ground safety, maintenance and flight procedures, and maintaining combat readiness," Marines say.  

Acting Marines Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith today issued a two-day stand down for all Marine aviation units, following a six-week stretch that saw two fatal accidents followed by a 24-hour jet-hunt for a missing stealth fighter. 

In a press release, the Marine Corps said that with “three Class-A aviation mishaps over the last six weeks,” Smith “directed all Marine Corps aviation units to conduct a two-day pause in operations this week to discuss aviation safety matters and best practices. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: As Marines continue to search for F-35 after 'mishap,' officials order 2-day stand-down for all jets (ABC News)  

Update #2: With F-35 still missing, Marine Corps holds aviation standdown (Marine Times) 

WNU Editor: Some are wondering if this was a cyberattack .... New Footage Reveals Wreckage Of F-35 Jet Amidst Speculation Of Potential 'Cyberattack' (Zero Hedge).

Lockheed Continues To Face F-35 Production Problems

Software problems with the F-35's latest upgrades will cause Lockheed Martin to deliver roughly between 30 to 50 fewer fighters than it planned in 2023. (Senior Airman Kayla Christenson/U.S. Air Force)  

Defense News: F-35 delivery delays to cost Lockheed hundreds of millions in 2023 

WASHINGTON — Problems with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s newest upgrades will cause the aircraft’s manufacturer to miss its 2023 delivery goal by up to roughly 50 jets, Lockheed Martin officials said Tuesday. 

The delays could bring down Lockheed’s revenue for 2023 by hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Lockheed originally planned to deliver between 147 and 153 fighters this year. But software problems with the upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3, are causing significant delays. The Pentagon announced in June that it would not accept newly built F-35s with TR-3 until the upgrades are completely ready.  

Read more .... 

Lockheed Continues To Face F-35 Production Problems  

Lockheed CEO sees up to 120 F-35 deliveries amid TR-3 delays, tamps down engine controversy -- Breaking Defense 

Lockheed Risks $400 Million Payment Delay Until It Shows New F-35 Software Works -- Bloomberg  

Software problems will cut F-35 deliveries this year, Lockheed says -- Defense One  

F-35 Supply Chain Stuck At 156 Goal Without Broad Investment -- Aviation Week

Lockheed Closes-In On Building Its 1000th F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet

File Image: F-35B 

EurAsian Times: 1000 F-35 Stealth Jets! Lockheed Closes-In On Big Milestone But Must Overcome Hurdles To Produce Enough Fighters 

While the 5th-generation fighter F-35 is now in bigger demand by the US Air Force and the American allies all over the world for its formidable combination of stealth, advanced sensors, and weapons systems, it seems to be increasingly difficult for its manufacturer Lockheed Martin to meet the demand with a cap of 156 aircraft produced for the year. 

The problem is further compounded by the growing supply chain hurdles, limited infrastructures at the production centers, and delayed engine-overhaul programs.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: What I found interesting in the above article is a breakdown on how much the US Air Force has shrunk since 1990 ....

.... its strength has dwindled from 4,556 aircraft in 1990 to 2,176 today—and will continue to fall, as “USAF is retiring 801 fighters and only buying 345 through 2028”.

Israel To Buy More F-35s From The U.S.

FILE - An Israeli F-35 lands at Ovda airbase near Eilat, southern Israel, Oct. 24, 2021. Israel will buy 25 F-35s from the U.S., the Israeli Defense Ministry announced, July 2, 2023. 

Times Of Israel: Israel to procure third F-35 squadron, eventually bringing fleet to 75 

Defense minister approves military’s recommendation to purchase additional stealth fighters, in deal estimated at $3 billion from US aid funds 

The Defense Ministry and military on Sunday said Israel would be procuring a third squadron of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States. 

The additional 25 aircraft would bring the Israeli Air Force’s F-35i fleet to 75 in the coming years. 

 In a joint statement, the Defense Ministry and Israel Defense Forces said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the recommendation proposed by IDF chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi; the director general of the ministry, Eyal Zamir; and chief of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, to procure the third F-35i squadron.  

Read more .... 

Israel To Buy More F-35s From The U.S. 

Israel Buying More Fighter Jets From US, Expanding Fleet by 50% -- AP  

Israel to Buy 25 Lockheed Martin F-35 Jets in $3 Billion Deal -- Bloomberg 

Israel to buy 25 more F-35 stealth jets in $3 bln deal -- Reuters  

Israel greenlights purchase of new F-35 squadron from US -- Jerusalem Post 

Israel to buy 25 more F-35 fighter jets in $3bn deal -- Middle East Eye

F-35 Jets Operating In ‘Stealth Mode’ & Helping Ukraine ‘Failed’ To Identify Russia’s AD Systems

File Image: F-35

EurAsian Times: Unusual Failure! F-35 Jets Operating In ‘Stealth Mode’ & Helping Ukraine ‘Failed’ To Identify Russia’s AD Systems 

US Air Force F-35A fighters detected unusual S-300 radar emissions that didn’t match with the existing database of the air defense system’s radar signature cataloged in the jets’ computers. 

This was when the stealth jets were silently gathering electronic intelligence (ELINT) data on Russian air defense radars by flying patrols along the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) eastern flank for the first three months of the war. 

A recent article EurAsian Times reported the experience of the 388th Fighter Wing and the 419th Fighter Wing, which were discreetly eavesdropping on Russian radar emissions. But they were surprised to find unknown peacetime frequencies from the S-300 that the pilots knew was the system, but the sophisticated computers aboard the fighters could not identify.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Russia - Ukraine war has become a conflict where all sides are testing their equipment. I am sure this F-35 failure to detect the specifications of this Russian air defense system is one of many.

Only 56 Percent of F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Ready for Battle

FILE PHOTO: A Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft is seen at the ILA Air Show in Berlin 

19FortyFive: Problem: Only 56 Percent of F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Ready for Battle 

 If you are an F-35 fan for its all-around, go-anywhere fighting ability, you will be concerned about this.  

F-35 Can't Fight?  

According to a defense official at a joint program office, American F-35s across the service branches are only 56 percent ready for battle. 

The Department of Defense wants to get this number up to at least an average of 64 percent rate of combat readiness within the next year, but that is a glaring shortcoming for the program's future. 

 If there is to be conflict with China in a fight over Taiwan, America needs every F-35 it can muster to dominate the skies. 

 Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The Pentagon is still buying more F-35s .... Pentagon awards $7.8 billion F-35 contract to Lockheed Martin (Reuters).

China Says The F-35 Is A Greater Threat Than The F-22

F-35 Lightning II/Wikipedia 

SCMP: F-35 tops China’s threat list, beating older F-22: military study 

* Ranking could have implications for how China develops its own technologies and tactics in response, researchers said 

* Authors recommend a combination of "soft and hard kill" capabilities to ward off incursions into Chinese territory 

A comparison of US jets by Chinese military scientists has shown the F-35 to be a greater threat in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait than the older F-22, which is still generally regarded as the world's most powerful stealth aircraft. 

The study, published in the Chinese language journal Modern Defence Technology, analysed the threat levels of various US military aircraft in different stages of a penetrating counter air operation at a range of distances from China's coastline.  

Read more ....  

Update: China ‘Shoots Down’ F-22 Raptor In Latest Threat Assessment; Calls F-35 Lightning II ‘Bigger Threat’ In Indo Pacific (EurAsian Times).  

WNU Editor: The Chinese researchers said, “The F-35A poses a greater threat than the F-22A due to its more advanced avionics systems and multirole capabilities.”

Lockheed Martin Clears Crucial Hurdle To Restart F-35 Deliveries

A pilot assigned to the 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, performs a pre-flight checklist onboard an F-35A Lightning II aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Feb. 13, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster 

Defense News: Lockheed Martin resumes F-35 flights with engine vibration fix in hand 

WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin on Monday morning resumed conducting acceptance flights of newly built F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, nearly three months after an engine problem grounded new jets and halted deliveries.

Lockheed announced Monday that the first flight took off from Fort Worth, Texas, where it builds the majority of F-35 fighters. 

“We resumed F-35 production flight operations today following an F135 engine mitigation action,” Lockheed Martin said in its statement. Lockheed stopped acceptance flights after a Dec. 15 mishap involving an F-35B fighter that was undergoing a quality check flight. 

A video showed the fighter bouncing on the ground, tipping forward and spinning before the pilot safely ejected. 

The investigation that ensued found signs of a problem with the fighter’s Pratt & Whitney-made F135 engine, and engine deliveries were halted in late December. Further investigation found the engine had vibration issues.  

Read more .... 

 Lockheed Martin Clears Crucial Hurdle To Restart F-35 Deliveries  

Lockheed Martin Clears Crucial Hurdle to Restarting F-35 Deliveries -- Air Force Magazine  

Lockheed resumes F-35 flights following December crash caused by 'harmonic resonance' -- Flight Global   

New F-35s Are Being Test-Flown Again Following Texas Crash -- Military.com

Pentagon Orders An Engine Vibration Fix For The Entire F-35 Fleet Worldwide

A Pratt & Whitney F135 engine undergoes ground testing at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee. (Rick Goodfriend/U.S. Air Force)  

Defense News: Pentagon orders engine vibration fix for entire F-35 fleet worldwide 

WASHINGTON — All F-35 fighter jets should be retrofitted within 90 days with a fix intended to solve a potential engine vibration problem, the F-35 Joint Program Office said Thursday. 

The JPO issued an order Wednesday evening recommending the fleetwide retrofit — globally, not just American aircraft — over the next three months, as well as immediately putting it in place for a “small number” of fighters that have been grounded since December.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: US military orders fleet-wide F-35 retrofit to address F135 engine issue (Flight Global)  

Update #2: JPO directive orders F-35 retrofit to return grounded jets to flight (Breaking Defense)  

WNU Editor: The Pentagon wants these fighter jets flying ASAP.

Problems Continue With The F-35

US Air Force F-35As during an exercise at Hill Air Force Base in Utah on January 2020. US Air Force/R. Nial Bradshaw 

Business Insider: Ongoing headaches with F-35 fighter jets are rippling through the rest of the US military's combat aircraft fleet 

* The F-35 program has been plagued by years of delays, cost overruns, and technical glitches. 

* Those problems have prompted the Pentagon to extend the service lives of older combat jets. 

* Extensions keep jets flying but don't guarantee they will meet future needs, a government watchdog says. 

Years of delays, cost overruns, and technical glitches with the F-35 have put the Pentagon in a dilemma. 

If F-35s aren't fit to fly in sufficient numbers, then older aircraft such as the F-16 must be kept in service to fill the gap. 

In turn, having to extend the lifespan of older planes consumes money that could be used to acquire new aircraft and results in aging warplanes that may not be capable of fulfilling their missions on the current battlefield. 

"While service life extension programs are one way to keep current aircraft capable and in operation, they do not guarantee that those aircraft will be available when needed or that they will possess required capabilities to meet future needs," the Government Accountability Office warned in a new report on US tactical aircraft.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Problems like this one do not help .... New F-35 engine deliveries suspended amid ongoing investigation (Defense News).

Canada Strikes Deal To Buy 88 F-35s

 

CBC News: Federal government inks deal to buy fleet of F-35 fighter jets  

First of 88 aircraft will not be delivered until 2026 

Canada has signed off on the final contract to buy F-35 jet fighters to replace the air force's aging CF-18s, Defence Minister Anita Anand said Monday. 

The final agreement for 88 warplanes — involving the Canadian and U.S. governments and the jet's manufacturer — won't see its first delivery until 2026 and the first F-35 squadrons will not be operational until 2029, senior defence officials said during a technical briefing before the minister's announcement.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Before he was elected Prime Minister, Trudeau said that he would kill the F-35 deal that the previous Conservative government was negotiating. When he became PM he put together a panel to determine what fighter jet to purchase. Now .... seven years later .... we learn that the previous government's decision to buy the F-35 was the right one. 

Canada Strikes Deal To Buy 88 F-35s  

Canada finalizes agreement to buy 88 US F-35 fighter jets -- AP  

Canada strikes C$19 bln deal for Lockheed's F-35 fighter jets -- Reuters 

Canada strikes deal to buy F-35s from Lockheed, as CF-18s retire -- Defense News  

Canada officially inks F-35 deal: 88 fighters, $19B CAD -- Breaking Defense  

Canada inks multibillion-dollar deal for F-35 fighter jets. Here’s how much it will cost -- Global News  

Government delay in purchasing F-35 'severely' impacted RCAF: MacKay -- CTV News

US Bars Israeli Pilots With Foreign Passports From Flying The F-35 Jet

An F-35i Adir jet in Nevatim base, southeast of Beersheba (photo credit: IDF) 

Jerusalem Post: US barring Israeli pilots with foreign passports from F-35 aircraft 

This move by the US stems from an increasingly expanding focus on information security and safeguarding US interests. 

The US Defense Department and intelligence authorities are barring Israel Air Force (IAF) pilots with foreign passports from flying F-35 fighter jets, in fear of information security and technology leaks. 

This move by the US stems from an increasingly expanding focus on information security and safeguarding US interests. 

As a result, sources claim the IAF accepted this stipulation and gave up assigning pilots to F-35 Adir aircraft.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: No F-35 For ‘Select’ Israeli Pilots: US Bars Foreign Passport Holders From Flying F-35 Adir To Guard Aircraft Tech (EurAsian Times)  

Update #2: US prohibits Israel pilots from flying F-35 jets (Middle East Monitor)  

WNU Editor: There are a lot of Israelis who are from Russia, with many of them holding dual citizenship. This concern over security from the US is not surprising in the current global environment.

Pentagon Suspends Deliveries Of F-35 Engines In Latest Fallout From Texas Crash

This image taken from video provided by KDFW, shows emergency personnel at the scene after a fighter jet crash landed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. The pilot safely ejected from a plane after a failed landing. (KDFW via AP)  

Breaking Defense: F-35 program pauses engine acceptance as crash investigation continues  

The news comes just a few days after prime contractor Lockheed Martin reached an agreement with the government on a $30 billion contract for hundreds more F-35s. 

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has temporarily stopped accepting engines for the F-35 joint strike fighter while it investigates the cause of a mid-December crash of an F-35B jet. 

“Currently, acceptance of new engines has been suspended,” JPO spokesman Chief Petty Officer Matthew Olay said in a statement. “That pause began Tuesday, Dec. 27. The length of the pause is currently to be determined, and it is hard to say how long it will last given the current investigation of what specifically would allow deliveries to resume. The root cause analysis and accident investigation need to be completed first.”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like they discovered something that is raising concerns. 

 Pentagon Suspends Deliveries Of F-35 Engines In Latest Fallout From Texas Crash 

New F-35 engine deliveries suspended amid ongoing investigation -- Defense News  

Deliveries of F-35s and Engines on Hold in Latest Fallout from Texas Crash -- Military.com  

Pentagon suspends F-35 engine deliveries after recent crash at Texas base -- Stars and Stripes 

F-35 Stealth Jet Crash Prompts Engine Maker To Halt Deliveries -- Zero Hedge

Israel Grounds 11 F-35 Jets After US Crash

An F-35B jet crashes at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, December 15, 2022. (Screenshot: Twitter)  

Times of Israel: Israel grounds 11 F-35 jets after US fighter crashes during test 

Military says some of its fleet to be examined for issue that apparently downed a modified version of the plane in Texas 

The Israeli Air Force on Sunday said it had grounded 11 of its advanced F-35 stealth jets after a similar model of the plane crashed during a test flight in the United States earlier this month. 

On December 15, an F-35B crashed on a runway at a US Navy base in Texas, reportedly during a test of its hovering capabilities being conducted by Lockheed Martin. 

The pilot ejected safely and was unharmed. The Israeli military on Sunday said 11 of its F-35I jets would be checked for a similar issue to the one that apparently caused the crash, before being returned to service, following recommendations by the F-35 Joint Program Office.  

Read more .... 

 Israel Grounds 11 F-35 Jets After US Crash  

Israeli Air Force Grounds 11 F-35 Fighter Jets Following Recommendation From U.S. -- i24 News  

Eleven F-35 fighters grounded after US crash -- Jerusalem Post 

Israel grounds 11 F-35 stealth jets over US crash - Daily Sabah Israel grounds flagship US fighter jets -- RT

Germany to Buy F-25s

Bloomberg: Germany Sets Aside $10.5 Billion to Buy F-35 Fighter Jets 

Germany has earmarked €10 billion ($10.5 billion) to buy 35 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, according to a government document seen by Bloomberg, reflecting Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s pledge to boost defense spending. 

The money will come from a debt-financed €100 billion special fund that Scholz announced shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. 

Deliveries under the plan are scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2029. The cost includes items such as air-to-ground missiles and ground infrastructure, according to the German document. Scholz pledged in a speech to parliament after Russia’s attack that Germany would invest “more than” 2% of gross domestic product annually in defense, aided by the special fund. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Germany to decide mid-December on purchase of F-35 fighter jet (Reuters) 

Update #2: Germany will buy 35 Fighter Jets from the US for $10.5 billion (Novinite)  

WNU Editor: Delviery is expected between 2026 and 2029.

Marine Corps F-35B Nose Gear Collapses As It Was Being Towed At Kadena Air Base In Okinawa

Video of today's incident with the F-35 fighter jet of the 121st squadron of the #USMC at the Kadena Air Force Base on the #Japanese island of #Okinawa

When towing the aircraft, the front landing gear dropped.pic.twitter.com/xIkJZYxXns

— Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Military News (@IndoPac_Info) December 1, 2022

Marine Times: F-35B goes nose down as plane is being towed after electrical issue 

The nose of a Marine Corps stealth fighter jet touched the ground Thursday when its landing gear malfunctioned as it was being towed following a precautionary landing in Japan, according to service officials.

Lan A pilot flying an F-35B Lightning II aircraft landed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time Dec. 1 because of a suspected electrical issue, according to a statement by Maj. Roberto Martins, a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like the brakes were put on causing the collapse of the nose gear. 

 Marine Corps F-35B Nose Gear Collapses As It Was Being Towed At Kadena Air Base In Okinawa  

Marine Corps F-35B Ends Up Nose-Down In Japan -- Warzone/Drive  

Watch an F-35 faceplant after a landing gear failure in Japan -- Task & Purpose  

Down & Out! US F-35B Stealth Fighter Spotted With Its ‘Nose Down’ On The Runway In Japan. Here’s Why -- EurAsian Times  

WATCH: F-35 Collapses on Okinawa Runway After Landing Over Electrical Issue -- Sputnik

US Air Force F-35 Fighter Jet Crashed At Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Wednesday Evening

 

Air Force Times: Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashes in Utah; pilot safely ejects 

An Air Force pilot safely ejected from a F-35A Lightning II fighter jet that crashed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on Wednesday evening. 

The airman was treated at a local hospital and has since been released, 388th Fighter Wing spokesperson Micah Garbarino told Air Force Times Thursday. 

“The pilot was returning to Hill AFB from a routine training mission when the crash occurred,” Garbarino said. 

“The crash recovery/site investigation is still ongoing, but it appears there was no other damage.” 

Read more .... 

US Air Force F-35 Fighter Jet Crashed At Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Wednesday Evening  

Ejected pilot safe after F-35 crash at Utah Air Force base -- AP  

Pilot has been safely recovered after ejecting from an F-35 crash at an Air Force Base in Utah -- CNN  

F-35 Has Crashed At Hill Air Force Base (Updated) -- Warzone/The Drive  

Air Force pilot miraculously survives as $78m F-35 crashes in ball of flames in Utah training exercise -- The Independent 

F-35 'totally destroyed,' investigation underway after crash at Hill Air Force Base -- FOX News 

Hill F-35 pilot released from hospital, crash investigation underway -- KSL

Lockheed Martin Profiting From 'Global Conflict'. Beats Estimates On F-35 Sales

 

CNBC/Reuters: Lockheed Martin beats estimates on F-35 sales, maintains guidance 

* U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin Corp reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue on Tuesday, helped by higher sales in its aeronautics unit which makes the F-35 fighter jet. 

* Ukraine is using the Maryland-based company’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and their ammunition to beat back Russia’s incursion. 

* Shares were up as much as 3.8% to $412.56 during morning trading in New York. 

WASHINGTON - U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin Corp reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue on Tuesday, helped by higher sales in its aeronautics unit, which makes the F-35 fighter jet, as the company sees demand for arms increasing after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Shares were up as much as 3.8% to $412.56 during morning trading in New York The maker of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and their ammunition, which Ukraine is using to beat back Russia’s incursion, saw lower profit margins compared with the same quarter a year ago. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It is definitely a good time to be a arms manufacturer.