Aviation

Lockheed Martin Plans to Finish 1,000th F-35 By End of Year, and Graduates 2,000 Pilots

Lockheed Martin is set to manufacture its 1,000th F-35 fighter by the end of 2023 at its one-mile, 20-foot-long assembly line at Air Force Plant 4, which has been in operation since 1942, producing planes such as the B-24 Liberator bomber. The production of the F-35 is a complex process that relies on contributions from approximately 1,650 suppliers, including around 1,000 small companies and contractors like Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

After a brief halt in deliveries due to an incident where an F-35B pilot ejected on the runway at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, in December 2022, Lockheed Martin resumed deliveries in early 2023. The F-35 Joint Program Office has ordered a retrofit to reduce “harmonic resonance,” a higher-than-usual engine vibration that may put additional strain on the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, for all F-35 models to mitigate future risks.

The F-35 program is used by 17 nations, and recent purchasers include Finland, Switzerland, and Germany. The Czech Republic and Greece may also join the list of nations using the F-35. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin has graduated over 2,000 pilots through the F-35 training system, which requires an average of 192 hours of training before takeoff, with nearly half of the qualifying flights conducted in a simulator.

Lockheed Martin collaborates closely with pilots from all services and nations involved in the F-35 program to ensure that their abilities are honed and every flight is safe. The F-35 Full Mission Simulator is a fully immersive training tool that simulates all weapons and sensors using the same software as the aircraft. The simulator enables pilots to practice a wide range of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic warfare operations, ensuring that they are prepared for future missions. Utilizing simulations reduces the expense and wear on the jets, allowing fleets to remain mission-ready, and pilots to maintain their skills.

Aviation

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

Boeing’s challenges continue as employees halted production due to a strike, creating new obstacles for delivering aircraft to customers. The company now faces financial losses from delays in the delivery of its boeing 777x aircraft.

Boeing recently announced that the new delivery date for the 777-9 will be in 2026, with the freighter variant scheduled for 2028. This news has been frustrating for airlines that have committed to and are waiting for the aircraft.

Mega Comparison of Boeing 777x vs A350-1000 Aircraft

The Boeing 777X program, which began in early 2019, was initially delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19 disruptions. Subsequent issues, including defects found during testing, have placed the program under scrutiny by the FAA, which insists on the aircraft meeting all safety standards before entering service. Boeing is now facing pressure from both airlines and investors.

Boeing 777x Delay

New Commercial Airplanes expects to incur pre-tax charges of $3.0 billion related to the Boeing 777X and 767 programs.

The company forecasts a $2.6 billion pre-tax charge due to the updated timeline, which accounts for delays in flight testing for the 777-9 and the impact of the IAM (International Association of Machinists) work stoppage. The first 777-9 delivery is now expected in 2026, with the 777-8 freighter following in 2028.

Exploring the Boeing 777x: Highlights from the Debut at …

In addition, Boeing plans to conclude production of the 767 freighter, resulting in a $0.4 billion pre-tax charge. From 2027 onwards, the company will solely produce the 767-2C aircraft for the KC-46A Tanker program.

In August 2024, Boeing grounded its 777X test fleet after detecting a failure in a key engine mounting structure during a routine inspection. The new boeing 777x, powered by the GE9X engine, is the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, but this issue has caused further setbacks.

Boeing 777x, A close-up of the engine, landing gear, and wing

Comparison of 777x vs A350

Meanwhile, the Airbus A350 continues to secure new orders from airlines, becoming a strong competitor in the wide-body aircraft segment. While the a350 vs b777 offer similar ranges, the 777X is designed to carry a heavier payload.

In other developments, Boeing has hinted at starting production of a new mid-sized aircraft, the Boeing 797, which would likely compete with the Airbus A321 XLR.