Latest news with #F-35LightningII
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Faltering F-35 program compounds Lockheed Martin's woes as company profit drops, share plunges over 18% in one year
Lockheed Martin 's F-35 Lightning II is currently considered as the pinnacle of military aviation. The fifth generation stealth fighter forms the cutting edge of the United States military combat aircraft as well as that of 11 other allied countries. But the American defense and aerospace manufacturer is facing a crisis with the F-35 as its biggest customer, the Pentagon , has scaled down the number of stealth fighters it will buy coupled with apprehension among a section of potential buyers like Canada. A second-quarter profit drop of almost 80% and a pretax loss of $1.6 billion, show Lockheed Martin is flying into troubled weather. Lockheed's stock price has mirrored its financial health, registering a drop of 18.60% in the past one year. The company's stock closed at $419.39 on July 23, 2025, compared to the price of $515.20 on July 24, 2024. The aviation major's second quarter 2025 sales stood at $18.2 billion, just a shade more than the figure of $18.1 billion in the second quarter of 2024. "Net earnings in the second quarter of 2025 were $342 million, or $1.46 per share, including $1.6 billion of program losses and $169 million of other charges. This compares to $1.6 billion, or $6.85 per share, in the second quarter of 2024. Cash from operations was $201 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $1.9 billion in the second quarter of 2024. Free cash flow was $(150) million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $1.5 billion in the second quarter of 2024," the press release by Lockheed stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo Admitting that its Aeronautics Classified Program is facing trouble, the company said, "Aeronautics has experienced design, integration, and test challenges, as well as other performance issues on this program. These trends continued into 2025 and had a greater impact on schedule and costs than previously estimated." Its Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program (CMHP) and Türkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) have also been hit by various issues, which the company claims it is trying to resolve. The two programs reported pretax losses of $570 million and $95 million respectively. Subsidiary Sikorsky, which focusses on helicopters, is also facing turbulence. Live Events F-35 program runs into trouble The F-35 program is facing delays with the Block 4 upgrade and the company lost the race to develop the sixth-generation fighter - the F-47 - to its rival Boeing announced by President Donald Trump on March 21, 2024. The Pentagon refused to take any more F-35 jets for much of 2023 and the first half of 2024 after Lockheed failed to integrate new software and hardware. This was due to delay with TR-3, which Lockheed calls the 'backbone' of Block 4 upgrade. The new batch of F-35, albeit with a lesser capability than initially proposed, were delivered to the US military from July 2024. General David Wayne Allvin, the United States Air Force Chief of Staff, has asked Lockheed to fix the issues in the F-35 program before more jets can be ordered and bought. "In the end, because we have limited financial resources, we need to make sure that the F-35s we buy have the capability to meet the pacing threat. So, some of the delays with respect to Block 4 and TR-3 weighed into decisions by the department,' the US Air Force top general told Defence One at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England. Lockheed's order book now has 24 F-35s for the U.S. Air Force, down from 48 proposed earlier in 2024. The US Navy also wants less of the F-35, its order is down to 12 from the 17 aircraft while Marines have brought down their order by two fighters. With China deploying its fifth generation fighters - Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon and Shenyang J-35, the US is for the first time facing threat to its stealth fighter dominance. Recently, China also revealed that the naval variant of J-35 for its aircraft carriers was also operationally active. To counter the growing Chinese threat, the Pentagon has made it clear that the F-35 Block 4 fight must be fully capable in all aspects including software upgrades, weapons integrations and related sensitive parts, and not depend on upgrades to showcase its potential might. China and tax angle to Lockheed's woes Lockheed Martin is focussed on the military sphere. With the F-35 program slowing down due to the extremely high cost of maintenance and day to day operation, it was betting on getting the sixth-generation deal. But that did not materialize As Trump unleashed the tariff war, China responded with curbs on rare earth metals and minerals hitting the production line of the F-35 fighter aircraft. Lockheed and U.S. tax authorities are also engaged in a fist fight. The tax authorities claim Lockheed's unpaid tax bill stands at $4.6 billion, which the company plans to pursue legally.
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First Post
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- First Post
What did it cost to park UK fighter jet stranded in Kerala for over a month?
A British fighter jet stuck in Kerala for over five weeks is ready to leave India after repairs on Tuesday (July 22). The F-35B Lightning II stealth aircraft has been grounded in the southern state since it landed at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in mid-June. Now, the plane has incurred a hefty parking fee of Rs 26,261 per day read more A British Royal Navy fighter jet being moved to a designated facility for British engineers to assess it after remaining stranded for about a month following a technical issue, at Kerala airport in Thiruvananthapuram, July 6, 2025. File Photo/PTI A stranded British fighter jet is set to leave Kerala after more than five weeks. The state-of-the-art F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet is expected to fly out of the southern Indian state on Tuesday (July 22). The British Royal Navy's plane had landed in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in mid-June and remained grounded since then. The jet inadvertently became a unique ambassador to promote the state's tourism, with the prolonged grounding making it a subject of jokes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But how much did it cost to park the British plane in a foreign airport? Let's take a closer look. Why British jet remained grounded in Kerala for weeks The UK Royal Navy's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14. The highly advanced stealth jet, built by Lockheed Martin, is worth more than $110 million. According to defence officials, the British aircraft was running low on fuel. It also faced bad weather as the jet was flying about 100 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, leading to the pilot onboard the plane seeking permission to land at the civilian airport in Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian Air Force (IAF) helped with refuelling the UK's advanced stealth aircraft, which was part of the fleet of the HMS Prince of Wales. However, the jet encountered hydraulic failure during its attempted return. Despite efforts to repair it, the plane continued to be grounded. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) guarded the British aircraft, which was parked at bay number 4 of the domestic terminal. While India offered to move the jet to a hangar or temporary shed amid concerns about monsoon rains, the UK initially resisted the calls. How the British fighter jet was finally repaired A 24-member British Royal Air Force technical team landed in Kerala on July 6 on board a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft to inspect the grounded jet. It comprised 14 technical experts from the British Royal Air Force and 10 crew members. The team came with specialist equipment necessary for the movement and repair process. A British Royal Air Force transport aircraft Atlas ZM417 lands at the Trivandrum International Airport, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Sunday, July 6, 2025. File Photo/PTI The UK Ministry of Defence said they had deployed a team of 14 engineers 'to Thiruvananthapuram airport to assess and repair the F-35B aircraft'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The British Royal Navy's F-35B was later towed to Air India's maintenance hangar at the airport following the arrival of the team of experts from the UK. The team worked under intense security and secrecy, operating in a restricted zone of the hangar, Mathrubhumi reported. The repair operations have been kept under wraps, with British military officials providing protection to the jet. As per The Hindu report, the auxiliary power unit of the combat aircraft developed some major snags, which needed services of an expert team. The maintenance work on the grounded British fighter jet was finished last week. There were speculations that if the expert team from the UK failed to repair the aircraft, it would be dismantled and flown out in a bigger cargo plane such as a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The F-35B will now depart Kerala on July 22. However, the exact time of its departure is 'yet to be communicated, which airport will be used for refuelling on the way to London or when the backup aircraft will arrive to transport the technicians and equipment back,' an airport official told the BBC. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Latest visuals of the British Navy's F-35 fighter jet, which made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14. It is likely to fly back soon. Official confirmation is awaited. A technical team of the UK… — ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2025 Parking the British jet in India for over a month cost… The UK authorities will have to pay a hefty sum in parking fees for the aircraft for each day it was stationed at the Thiruvananthapuram airport since June 14. The fee for using the hangar facility since July 6 will be charged by AI Engineering Services Ltd, which owns the hangar and provides the maintenance, repairs, and overhaul facility, reported The Hindu. According to the Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW), the British fighter jet F-35B has reportedly incurred daily parking charges of Rs 26,261. This amounts to about Rs 9.19 lakh for over 35 days. With inputs from agencies
India.com
15-07-2025
- India.com
The price of helmet of this US fighter jet is more than price of a luxury flat in Mumbai, it is worth Rs..., here's why?
The price of helmet of this US fighter jet is more than price of a luxury flat in Mumbai, it is worth Rs.., here's why? Helmet That's Worth Rs 34,366,358.80: The United States' F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and is known for its stealth technology, electronic warfare, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities. The multi-role combat aircraft is specially designed for both air superiority and strike missions. Because of these qualities and features, the F-35 is used by several countries. The F-35 is a high-tech jet and relies heavily on its helmet. Its helmet is not a contemporary skull dome; on the contrary, it is equipped with modern technologies, and the pilot can operate most of the jet's functions and features through the helmet only. The cost of the helmet is around USD 400,000 (approx. Rs 34,366,358.80), and it is made by Rockwell Collins and Elbit Systems. More expensive than a Ferrari or a luxurious flat in a posh area of Mumbai city, the helmet is a combination of precision engineering and cutting-edge optics. Let's know more about it. Why F-35 Fighter Jet's Helmet Is Custom-Built Fit For Each Pilot? The company makes custom helmets for each F-35 jet's pilots. Pilots have to spend two or more days at a specialist facility where a team scans their head, take necessary measurements in order to ensure a precise fit. The helmet is so precise that a pilot's minor weight gain or even a new haircut can affect its balance which ultimately affects its performance. After assembly each helmet is carefully aligned using a pupilometer to ensure the pilot sees a single, clear image with an accuracy of up to two millimeters. Dost The F-35 Has See-Through Cockpit – 360° Vision? Notably, the helmet of the fighter jet act as a virtual head-up display. The jet is fitted with six cameras that stream real-time video to the helmet. Known as Distributed Aperture System (DAS), this feature all-around situational awareness to the pilot, reducing the number of manoeuvres. Does The Helmet Have Built-In Night Vision And Target Tracking Capabilities? Unlike conventional nigh-vision goggles, the F-35's helmet visor projects infrared images, flight data and target symbols similar to what we see in the Iran Man movie, where the suit provides all data in front of Tony Stark's eyes.
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
NATO Ally's F-35 Program To Cost 'Significantly' More Than Acknowledged
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.K.'s F-35 fighter jet program costs will be "significantly higher" than the British government has publicly acknowledged, the country's public spending watchdog has said. Over the life span of the fifth-generation F-35 program, the overall price will reach roughly £71 billion, or just over $96 billion, the National Audit Office (NAO) said early on Friday. The forecast that had been made public predicted the U.K. would need to spend close to £18.8 billion ($25.5 billion) for 48 F-35s until 2048. The Defense Ministry said following the watchdog presenting its report to the government that it will spend a little under £57 billion, or just shy of $77 billion, on buying and operating 138 aircraft through to 2069, the NAO said. This figure does not include personnel, fuel and other linked costs, the audit office added. Newsweek has approached the Defense Ministry for comment via email. An RAF Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is seen at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 on July 22, 2024 in Farnborough, England. An RAF Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is seen at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 on July 22, 2024 in Farnborough, watchdog said it assessed these additional costs would be around the £14 billion mark, equivalent to $19 billion. The £71 billion estimate from the NAO also includes other costs associated with the F-35, including personnel, fuel, and the infrastructure needed to operate the aircraft. It does not include the cost of weapons carried by the jets. The U.K. in June announced it would buy at least another 12 F-35s, opting for the slightly cheaper F-35A variant that would also bring London into NATO's nuclear-capable aircraft fleet. These jets are certified to carry conventional munitions as well as U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, picked instead of more of the F-35B variants the U.K. already has. The U.K. currently has 37 operational F-35s. The variants of the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 are the only fifth-generation fighter aircraft available to Western militaries, and many of the 20 nations operating or buying F-35s are NATO members, including the U.K. Fifth-generation jets are harder to detect, have more advanced avionics and are more equipped to take out enemy air defenses than fourth-generation aircraft, which are still widely used. The F-35 has become a more controversial purchase since President Donald Trump—notoriously unpredictable with American allies—returned to the White House, and speculation about a "kill switch" has been rife. This term refers to a supposed way for Washington to control the expensive aircraft operated and owned by recipient countries at will. Experts and officials have downplayed these concerns, but concede that the U.S. could have a noticeable impact on how well these aircraft could operate, should it choose to influence software upgrades or change access to intelligence. U.K. deliveries of F-35s, as well as the F-35 program more broadly, have been beset by delays. The British Defense Ministry predicts that it will have received 48 aircraft by April 2026. The NAO said it estimated the Defense Ministry has spent £11 billion, or almost $15 billion, on F-35s to date.
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
F-35 Stuck In Kerala May Be Dismantled Before Being Airlifted To UK: 5 Points
New Delhi: The UK is considering taking home the grounded Royal Navy F-35B from Kerala in a transport aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster. Field repair attempts have been unsuccessful so far. The F-35B made an unscheduled landing in Thiruvananthapuram 19 days ago. Here are five points on the process of dismantling an F-35B The F-35B will have to be dismantled to fit into the C-17 Globemaster. Only engineers trained by aerospace and defence firm Lockheed Martin can do it. The stealth fighter jet with classified technology has to be monitored closely by the British military while it is being dismantled. Every move has to be logged and verified; every screw has to be security-coded to minimise the risk of data breach. Theft of stealth technologies could reveal combat secrets, and poses a threat with diplomatic and military consequences. Protecting stealth tech is critical for national defence integrity. The first ever F-35 wing removal and shipment via air transport took place in May 2019. An F-35 Lightning II was airlifted by a C-17 Globemaster at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The $200,000 four-year project culminated in the transport of the aircraft to Hill AFB, Utah, according to information on Eglin AFB's official website. The F-35 has advanced stealth coating and radar blockers. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) and data fusion, along with encrypted software and sensors for modern air warfare. The fighter jet can carry nuclear weapons. Foreign access to the F-35 is a big concern for nations that fly this aircraft. The F-35 is the most expensive military programme ever at over $1.7 trillion. It is also the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet in the world. F-35 pilots have a huge advantage against any adversary.
