F-35 program leader Lieutenant General Greg Masiello delivered something of a lite-beer testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee last week, with many questions deferred to a closed session. But the discussion (transcript here) pointed …
Articles by: "Bill Sweetman"
More than a year ago, I speculated here about a connection between the forthcoming Boeing F-47, a modest technology demonstration program from the 1990s and a little-remembered pioneer of stealth. A set of images of …
The expertise of the South Asian sub-region is robust, so the title of Worst Defence Acquisition System is in safe hands. But Britain’s allies in a post-American world should worry that Blighty is as far …
The US Air Force just revealed that it was launching a study of a new heavy bomber that might replace the Boeing B-52. The analysis of alternatives in the FY27 budget will look at ‘future …
In London a few weeks ago, taking a break from grim Washington and catching some early spring weather, I met a British defence executive for coffee on the concourse of one of the city’s smaller …
Canada may well cancel part of its 2022 order for 88 Lockheed Martin F-35As and replace them with Saab JAS 39E Gripens. One report suggests that Ottawa might cut the order in half and accept …
Another element in the US Air Force’s plans for long-range operations, essential for Asia-Pacific deterrence, may have emerged from under cover of secrecy. It looks like we’ve just got a good view of a shadowy …
In a matter of weeks, the Trump administration has proclaimed a new national security strategy and declared war on the status quo in defence acquisition, via executive order. Defence contractors’ use of share buybacks and …
As 2025 recedes in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to look at the combat-aircraft stories that are likely to make news in 2026. Anyone waiting for the Xian H-20 shoe to drop over the holiday …
Ukraine’s massive drone strike against Russian air bases on 1 June should reverberate across all theaters of conflict. But there is one Western Pacific scenario where it could be very relevant indeed: a Chinese invasion …
Launching an air-to-air missile from the Australian-developed Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat would be just the start of a new phase for the Royal Australian Air Force, according to a senior officer at the Defence IQ …
The United States and China are not the only ones who are designing great range into their upcoming combat aircraft. Britain, Italy and Japan have made the same decision. The US is developing the Northrop …