Despite the extraordinary gathering of fighter types at this year’s event, the so-called super-maneuverability flying display in the Su-35 is one of this year’s most eye-catching and eagerly anticipated.
Approval of the UAE’s request to buy the F-35 hinges on the Gulf nation’s agreeing to take steps to protect the fighter’s sensitive technology and vast data bank of critical information.
The U.S. government is in the early stages of discussions about selling the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to the UAE and other allies in the Persian Gulf, according to top brass.
Restricted from selling armed unmanned aircraft systems in the Middle East, an interim approach is to wirelessly link surveillance drones with attack helicopters.
Accumulated technological preparation, a record of cost control and a need to transfer experience argue for getting on with the next Japanese fighter, says local industry.
One former F/A 18 pilot says: “I just remember looking around the airplane thinking, man, I’m not completely certain I know how to fly this airplane anymore.”
The true first flight milestone will occur sometime in late October or early November, when the aircraft hovers about 20-30 ft. off the ground for about 1-2 hr. of powered hover testing.
The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with preparations to take two off-the-shelf light attack turboprop aircraft downrange to fight terrorists next year.
