Platforms & Systems Archives - Page 5 of 7

Chinese Shijian-25 and -21 Satellites Execute Close GEO Rendezvous for Refueling Test

WASHINGTON — The Chinese spacecraft Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 have come within docking range high over the equator twice this month, and data suggest a third close pass is hours away. According to industry sources, the two satellites occupy nearly identical geostationary slots

June 21, 2025

Aircraft

F-35 Engine Unit Costs Continue to Grow Even As Production Increases

Early F-135 advocates promised a smooth learning curve. They said each production lot would cost less than the one before. Fresh data show the opposite. Unit prices still hover near $30 million, even though annual output has more than doubled since 2011.

April 28, 2015

Aircraft

Hybrid Base Station Sniper Pod Upgrade Enables F-35 to Share Sensor Data with 4th-Gen Aircraft

The Defense-Aerospace editorial team has confirmed that Lockheed Martin is pressing ahead with the Hybrid Base Station upgrade for its Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. The move clears a long-standing barrier that limited how much targeting and sensor data an F-35 could pass

June 20, 2025

Helicopters

Poland Receives First AH-64D Apaches to Prepare for Guardian Fleet

Three AH-64D Apache attack helicopters landed this morning at the 56th Air Base in Latkowo, near Inowrocław. They taxied to the ramp in quick succession, rotors still spinning while ground crews signaled them into place. Defense officials confirm these aircraft now belong

June 17, 2025

Aircraft

The F-35 Fighter Jet, The World’s Costliest Weapons Program, Just Got More Expensive

The Pentagon just raised the F-35 bill again. Numbers inside its fresh acquisition report point to $438 billion for development plus production. Last year they put the figure at $412 billion. Now planners must live with extra $26 billion—they said inflation and

October 11, 2023

Aircraft

The F-35: Even the Engine Is Compromised (excerpt)

The F-35 promised reach without rival, yet its heart - Pratt & Whitney’s F135 - burns fuel like an older design. Thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) shows why. The F100-PW-229 that powers late-model F-15s and F-16s clocks 0.726 lb/hr/lb. The F135 sits at

July 2, 2017

Aircraft

Rafale in Combat: “War for Dummies”

Pilots walk to their jets before sunrise, climb the ladder, key the INS, and watch the route and target files flow in by Link 16. A typical launch leaves the chocks with the following kit:

May 31, 2011

Aircraft

Lockheed’s F-35 Still Falls Short, Pentagon’s Chief Tester Says

Lockheed Martin’s F-35 is America’s most expensive weapons project. After fifteen years in development, the jet is still not ready for the fight the services expect. A confidential memorandum dated Aug 9 from Dr. Michael Gilmore, the Defense Department’s Director of Operational

August 24, 2016

Aircraft (civil/military systems)

Eaton Wins Hydraulic System Contract For A380 – $200 Million Potential For U.S. Company

Airbus has chosen the diversified power-management company Eaton Corporation to develop and build the hydraulic power-generation system for its new A380 wide-body jetliner. The multi-year award covers design, qualification, initial production and long-term support. Eaton projects revenue of about $200 million over

October 10, 2001

Naval Systems

Singapore Launches Fifth Littoral Mission Vessel RSS Indomitable

The Republic of Singapore Navy rolled out RSS Indomitable, its fifth Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV). The slip at Benoi Yard filled fast with brass, engineers, and overseas guests keen to see what fresh hull adds to regional sea security.

September 4, 2024

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