🔺 Lowdown Newsletter Defense & Aviation - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺

This week on The Lowdown, we break down the biggest headlines in defense and aviation. The Marine Corps is shifting its F-35 fleet, cutting planned F-35B purchases in favor of more carrier-based F-35Cs.

The Air Force has built a Frankenstein F-35—merging two damaged jets into one combat-ready aircraft. We also cover the Kirov-Class battlecruiser revival, a major development for the Russian Navy. The U.S. deployed F-16s to Greenland in response to increasing Russian bomber activity in the Arctic.

Meanwhile, a former Federal Reserve official was arrested for allegedly selling U.S. economic secrets to China—a case that could have major national security implications. We also dive into the VH-92 Marine One helicopter delays, hypersonic missile threats, and how infrared search & track (IRST) is reshaping air combat.

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