THE BEST naval news since 1995
The Navy conducted its first test flight of the MQ-4C Triton in its upgraded hardware and software configuration July 29 at NAS Patuxent River, beginning the next phase of the unmanned aircraft’s development. The MQ-4C Triton flew in its new configuration, known as Integrated Functional Capability (IFC)-4, which will bring an enhanced multi-mission sensor capability as part of the Navy’s…
Read More
July 26, 2021 – BAE Systems, Inc. has received a $117 million contract from Lockheed Martin to produce next-generation missile seekers for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The seeker technology enables LRASM to detect and engage specific maritime targets in contested environments with less dependence on traditional navigation systems. The next-generation seeker design reduces overall missile costs. We’re committed…
Read More
From Jun 22-24, P-1 maritime patrol aircraft from Fleet Air Wing 4 conducted joint training in the waters south of the Kii peninsula with P-8A patrol aircraft from the U.S. Navy, to enhance tactical skills and increase Japan-U.S. interoperability. The Commanding Officer of Fleet Air Wing 4, RADM KANAYAMA Tetsuji, who served as the Commander of this exercise, stated, “This…
Read More
The F/A-18 and EA-18G program office (PMA-265) has experienced a stretch of readiness control since meeting mission capable rate mandates in 2019 thanks in part to the Hornet Health Assessment and Readiness Tool or HhART. As of June 1, the program also marked 90 days without a reported Physiological Episode (PE) for all F/A-18s and EA-18Gs – citing HhART as…
Read More
June 24, 2021 – Aircraft corrosion will soon be easier to find thanks to redOx, a Department of the Navy (DON) Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)-funded innovation that combines data collected by drones with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities to interpret the data. The redOx team recently was named a 2021 American Council for Technology and Industry…
Read More
June 10, 2021 – The first operational TH-73A helicopter was presented to the U.S. Navy June 10 during a ceremony at the AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo) plant in Philadelphia. “The TH-73A will be instrumental in providing higher fidelity training to our future rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aviators for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard,” said Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, Commander,…
Read More
June 7, 2021 – For the first time in history, the U.S. Navy and Boeing have demonstrated air-to-air refueling using an unmanned aircraft – the Boeing-owned MQ-25™ T1 test asset – to refuel another aircraft. During a test flight June 4, MQ-25 T1 successfully extended the hose and drogue from its U.S. Navy-issued aerial refueling store (ARS) and safely transferred…
Read More
May 18, 2021 – The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability for the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) on May 4, signaling the system’s ready to provide precision approach and landing capabilities to tactical carrier aircraft at sea in support of naval aviation operations worldwide. JPALS is a global positioning system based system that integrates with shipboard air…
Read More
April 27, 2021 – An unmanned helicopter crashed into the side of USS Charleston (LCS 18) after taking off from the ship around 3:40 p.m., April 26. No one was injured, and the Littoral Combat Ship continued to safely operate after the incident involving the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV). The Fire Scout…
Read More