Frankenstein F-35 🚨 Russian Hypersonic Missile 🚨 Ex-United Pilot Sues

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Edited by: Sidney McAlear

HISTORY OF THE DAY

NORAD’s First Bomber Intercept (1961) – On December 5, 1961, two F-102 Delta Daggers from Galena Air Force Station, Alaska, scrambled to intercept two Soviet Tu-16 Badger bombers approaching North American airspace over the Bering Sea. This encounter marked a pivotal moment in Cold War air defense, demonstrating NORAD’s ability to detect, track, and respond to potential threats in real-time. This mission set a precedent for decades of strategic deterrence, as NORAD has since monitored and intercepted countless Russian bomber patrols testing North American defenses.

THREAT OF THE DAY (TOD)…via Wikipedia

Threat: Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile (Kh-47M2)
Country of Origin: Russia
Initial Operational Capability: 2017
Primary Role: Hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile for strategic strikes

🔺 Speed: Mach 10+ (7,672+ mph)
🔺 Range: 1,500–2,000 km (1,200–1,900 nm)
🔺 Warhead: Conventional or nuclear (500 kt)
🔺 Launch Platform: MiG

• Maneuvers unpredictably during flight, making interception extremely difficult

• Travels at speeds that overwhelm most missile defense systems.

“Fun Facts” 
🔸 18 March 2022: First use in combat - making it the first hypersonic weapon used in combat.
🔸 4 May 2023: First recorded Kinzhal interception by a U.S.-supplied Patriot missile system over Ukraine

FLIGHT LINE

🎯 VH-92A Patriot Delays – Sikorsky’s VH-92A Patriot, set to replace the aging VH-3D Sea King, won’t fully take over Marine One duties until 2030. While it has flown some presidential support missions, the VH-60N will now fill the gap (until 2030)—despite the original plan calling for both the VH-3D and VH-60N to retire by 2023.

🎯 U.S. Plane Crash in the Philippines – A U.S. Marine and three defense contractors were killed when a military-contracted Beechcraft King Air 350 crashed in Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines. The aircraft was conducting an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

🎯 F-35 Upgrades Delayed – Key operational tests for the F-35’s Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrade won’t begin until mid-to-late 2026—two years after the first TR-3 jets rolled out. Initially set for April 2023, the delays push back critical Block 4 enhancements, including expanded weapons and advanced electronic warfare capabilities, now expected no earlier than 2029.

🎯 Restored 'Franken-bird' F-35 Returns to Flight – After more than a year of work, engineers from the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin have successfully flown a regenerated F-35A, dubbed the "Franken-bird." The aircraft was rebuilt using the nose section of one jet that suffered a landing gear failure in 2020 and the rear fuselage of another that sustained an engine fire in 2014. The restored F-35A completed a check flight at Hill Air Force Base on January 31, marking a milestone for combat aircraft repairs. The repair cost approximately $6 million dollars.

🎯 U.S. Navy HELIOS Laser Test – The U.S. Navy recently tested its High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system aboard the USS Preble (DDG-88). Developed by Lockheed Martin, HELIOS is a 60+ kW-class laser weapon designed to neutralize drones, small boats, and potentially missiles. The test highlights continued advancements in directed energy weapons and their integration into naval defense systems.

🎯 U.S. Navy Declares IOC for F/A-18 Super Hornet IRST – The U.S. Navy has declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's Infrared Search and Track (IRST) Block II system. This advanced sensor enhances the aircraft's ability to detect and track targets without relying on radar, providing a significant advantage in stealth and electronic warfare scenarios. The IRST Block II system is now ready for deployment across the fleet, marking a milestone in the Super Hornet's operational capabilities.

🎯 United Pilot Sues After Buckling 767 Fuselage – In July 2023, a United Airlines Boeing 767-300 experienced a hard landing at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, causing significant fuselage damage. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the incident to the first officer's improper control inputs and the flight crew's failure to recognize that the speedbrakes were not armed. Following his termination, the first officer filed a lawsuit against United in December 2024, alleging the airline falsely reported him as the pilot in command to the Federal Aviation Administration, which he claims has hindered his ability to secure subsequent employment.

🎯 U.S. Air Force Tests F-16 with New Viper Shield EW System – The U.S. Air Force has successfully completed the first flight of an F-16 Block 70 equipped with the new Viper Shield electronic warfare system. Developed by L3Harris Technologies, Viper Shield enhances the F-16's survivability against modern radar and electronic threats. The test flight took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California, utilizing two Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16Cs.

🎯 Former Federal Reserve Adviser Arrested for Alleged Espionage – John Harold Rogers, a former senior adviser in the Federal Reserve's international finance division, was arrested on charges of economic espionage. Prosecutors allege that from 2010 to 2021, Rogers shared confidential Federal Reserve information with individuals linked to China's intelligence services, receiving approximately $450,000 in return. The indictment claims he transferred sensitive data to his personal email and met with Chinese contacts under the guise of academic activities. Rogers denies the allegations.

🎯 U.S. Air Force Deploys F-16s to Greenland – In response to recent Russian bomber activity near the Arctic, the U.S. Air Force has deployed F-16 fighters to Greenland. According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Canadian and American aircraft monitored Russian Aerospace Forces bombers operating in international airspace near the region. Subsequently, F-16 Fighting Falcons were dispatched from Alaska to Greenland as part of NORAD's strategic response.

🎯 U.S. Increases Intelligence Flights Along Southern Border – The U.S. military has intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the southern border and off the coast of Mexico, deploying Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint and Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft. These operations aim to enhance situational awareness and support border security efforts. The RC-135, a signals intelligence aircraft, conducted missions near Mexico's Baja Peninsula, while P-8s captured imagery along the border from various locations, including Florida, California, and Arizona.

🎯 Marine Corps Adjusts F-35 Procurement Strategy – The U.S. Marine Corps has revised its aviation plan, reducing its purchase of F-35B jets from 353 to 280 and increasing its acquisition of F-35C models from 67 to 140, maintaining a total procurement of 420 F-35s. This shift aims to enhance the Corps' capabilities in carrier-based operations.

🎯 Russia Powers Up Nuclear Reactors on Admiral Nakhimov – The Russian Navy has activated the nuclear reactors of the Kirov-class battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov, marking a significant step toward its return to operational status after extensive modernization. The Admiral Nakhimov, one of the world's largest surface combatants, has undergone upgrades to its weapons systems, sensors, and propulsion.

Answer: ✅ C) 1958–NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) on May 12, 1958, to provide early warning and defense against potential Soviet air and missile threats.