Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs are flying two weeks of combat trials, testing their interoperability with the RNLAF’s F-16s, KDC-10 tanker, and allied aircraft at Edwards AFB, Calif. The two Dutch F-35s are conducting operational tests to evaluate how the aircraft integrates with current platforms in both offensive and defensive counter-air and ground-attack missions, according to an Aug. 20 Defense Ministry release. The trials, conducted Aug. 17 to 28, involved six F-16s from the RNLAF’s training detachment with the Air National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson, Ariz., as well as six Air Force and British Royal Air Force F-35A/B, according to the release. The Dutch stood up their first F-35 unit, Number 323 Squadron, last year, specifically to conduct operational testing and evaluation at Edwards. The Dutch plan is to eventually replace their F-16s with a fleet of 37 F-35As, split between two operational squadrons.
Pentagon Cancels $6B GPS Ground System Contract
April 20, 2026
The Pentagon has canceled its contract with RTX to field a ground segment to manage its most capable GPS satellites, a more than 15-year effort beleaguered by software development issues and cost overages.