Grounded F-35 fighters of USAF to be airborne again

The entire F-35 fighter jets fleet of the USAF that was grounded on account of a reported cracked turbine blade has been cleared to take off.

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The fault was detected during a routine inspection of an air force version of the jet (F-35A) at Edwards Air Force Base in California,

The tests by engine maker Pratt and Whitney, after the reported cracked turbine blade reports, show that the problem was "unique" problem and not a design flaw.

After the test reports, the Pentagon has confirmed that all its 51 planes had been cleared to resume flights.

It may be added that the F-35 is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons programme, with a cost of nearly $400bn (£260bn). And thousands of F-35s are due to be made for the US and its foreign partners.

Read more about it at: BBC News
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Bodies of 52 US Soldier who crashed aboard Old Shaky found after 60 years

Bodies of 52 US soldiers aboard C-124 'Old Shaky' which crashed 60 years ago only minutes away from landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, have been found.

C-124 - a similar aircraft nick named Old Shaky crashed 60 years ago

For 60 years the debris was etched into Colony Glacier, moving with the ice through time as family members held on and refused to let their loss be forgotten.

The remains will be brought home in an official arrival ceremony and reunited with those who will finally say their goodbyes.

Read details: Business Insider

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USAF launches top-secret spy satellite able to see through clouds and bad weather

 The United States Air Force has launched a rocket from Cape Canaveral carrying a top-secret spy satellite, which analysts believe has the ability to see through clouds and bad weather.

An unmanned Atlas V rocket carrying the classified device rose from its seaside Florida pad successfully following an aborted launch on Monday that was foiled by a problem with the environmental control system.

It is believed to be the second in a series of four spy satellites that are being launched over the next five months for the United States National Reconnaissance Office.

Read details: Mail Online

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US Air Force Removes "God" From Logo

Dozens of members of US Congress are upset that the US Air Force (USAF) has removed the Latin word for "God" from the logo of an Air Force acquisitions office.

The logo was recently removed, according to Forbes, after objections by the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers.

Jason Torpy, president of the association, said the word "God" had no place in the logo because not all members of the military are religious. "We just hope (the Air Force) can provide more equal opportunities for atheists and humanists in the military."

Read more: Huffington Post

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The USAF buys Its Biggest and Fastest Armed Drone Ever

[ via Business Insider ] 31 Dec

The Air Force just bought itself the next generation "hunter-killer" drone, and at nearly 16,000 pounds and 44 feet long the Avenger is now the largest UAV in the U.S. arsenal.

Avenger - the biggest drone ever (Photo: General Atomics)

William Hennigan of the LA Times reports the $15 million drone is one of the models in consideration to replace the aging Predators and Reapers in use for the past several years.

The new drone won't be able to fly as long as the Reaper, 20 hours compared the the Reaper's 30, but it will reach a top speed of 460 mph, more than 120 mph faster than its predecessor.

Read more: Business Insider

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