DefenseNews

Pentagon, Lockheed reach handshake deal for next F-35s

November 26, 2024
The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have reached a handshake agreement for two more lots of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The initial agreement will cover production of lots 18 and 19 of the stealth fighter’s air vehicle, Lockheed and the F-35 Joint Program Office said in a joint statement. The handshake deal was first reported by Air and Space Forces Magazine. The JPO and Lockheed said they are…
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DefenseNews

Marine Corps F-35C notches first overseas combat strike

November 22, 2024
Marines recently carried out the service’s first combat strikes using the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter during air missions against Houthi targets near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Launching from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln on Nov. 9 and 10, the…
DefenseNews

Last American soldier to leave Afghanistan to command US Army Europe

November 20, 2024
A career special operations veteran who was featured in a hazy green, night vision photo as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan has been nominated to pin a fourth star and lead the U.S. Army in Europe. Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue’s name was on a list of Pentagon-recommended general officer nominations released Nov. 15. If confirmed by the Senate, he could receive the promotion and…
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DefenseNews

French Navy carrier commander ponders data overload, battle at sea

November 15, 2024
Rear Adm. Jacques Mallard has led the French carrier strike group (FRSTRIKEFOR) since August 2023, focusing his efforts on enhancing how the naval formation shares information and trains in realistic battle conditions. France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its strike group are set to deploy over the next few weeks to the Indo-Pacific as part of mission Clemenceau 25…
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DefenseNews

Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

November 12, 2024
A pilot who ejected from a malfunctioning F-35B in heavy rain over South Carolina last year — which kept flying on autopilot for 64 nautical miles before crashing — was fired from his command of a prestigious squadron as a result of the mishap. Col. Charles “Tre” Del Pizzo, 49, confirmed to Marine Corps Times he was the pilot who ejected from the F-35B over Charleston, South Carolina, on…
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