Italian pilot school achievements may benefit American T-X trainer program

“Italy is a step ahead of the U.S. in the use of this technology [(embedded simulator)],” said Lt. Col. Wyatt Morrise, a U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot-turned-instructor, who is six months into a three-year stint at Lecce as part of an exchange program.

“After a flight, you have to climb out of the aircraft and remind yourself that capabilities like radar are not really there,” said Morrise, who will qualify and work as an M-346 instructor.

Morrise said that with his experience at Lecce, he hopes to help development of the syllabus for the pending U.S. T-X fighter pilot training program.

“We have a front row seat here on a syllabus, which we may be able to improve on,” he said.

The M-346, built by Italian firm Leonardo, is a contender for the TX program, alongside a new build offering from Boeing and Saab, and Lockheed Martin’s T-50.

Source:
DefenseNews.com

WHere is that like button ?

On the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5174341/Incredible-images-Britains-Cold-War-RAF-1950-70.html#i-93cf0e4c2a2ba747
Source:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5174341/Incredible-images-Britains-Cold-War-RAF-1950-70.html

Potential defense shift may see Japan arm helicopter carriers with F-35B stealth jets

In what could be a major change in Japan’s policy on aircraft carriers, the Defense Ministry is mulling a plan to buy F-35B stealth fighter jets for use on its helicopter carriers, government sources said.

The introduction of F-35Bs, which have short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) capability, will be useful in countering China’s growing maritime assertiveness. They are expected to bolster Japan’s ability to defend far-flung islands in the southwest, where only short runways exist, the sources said Sunday.

EDIT:

“Regarding our defense posture, we are constantly conducting various examinations. But no concrete examination is under way on the introduction of F-35B or remodeling of Izumo-class destroyers,” [Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori] Onodera told reporters on Tuesday.

The Izumo has a sister ship called the Kaga.

Sources:
The Japan Times.co.jp
Reuters.com

*Note: added here since rulors were confirmed by J. MoD

Are the plane spotters now to be… spotted? Howdy guys, raise your colors!

All my best wishes for this endeavor, Phil.

Great pic in front of that A109.

The F-35 and F-22 Teach Each Other New Tricks

An interesting read (IRST, New [conformal] antenna tech being added to the 22 and B2, new thin display panel for the 22 with integrated circuit board located behind etc…).

Source:
AirforceMag.com

Saab to Support South Korean KF-X Fighter Jet’s AESA Radar Development

Saab has received an order for support of algorithm development and evaluation of airborne AESA radar for South Korea’s indigenous KF-X fighter jet.

The radar development programme is led by the Korean Agency for Defence Development (ADD) and Saab will work in cooperation with ADD and its contractual partner LIG Nex1. The order value is MSEK 125 (US$25 million).

Source:
DefenseWorld.net