ARLINGTON, Va. — The use of towed sensors provides a measure of survivability for small unmanned surface vessels but presents other problems such that the Navy is looking to move away from towed sensors in favor of onboard sensors, a…
Meier: Ford CVN to Range Widely in the Atlantic for U.S. 2nd Fleet
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), will operate all over the North Atlantic this year when it completes its current shipyard availability, a Navy admiral said, and will operate under the…
Navy Looking to Launch Analysis of Alternatives for SSN(X) Within the Next Year
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy plans to begin a formal Analysis of Alternatives for its next generation nuclear-powered attack submarine, or SSN(X), a senior program official said. “We are looking at starting an AoA here probably within the next year…
Radar Integration Determined Deployment Timing of Navy’s MQ-8C Fire Scout
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter reached initial operational capability more than 2.5 years ago but made its first operational deployment only last month. The reason, the Navy’s program manager explained, centered on the integration…
Northrop Grumman Delivers MYP-1’s Final E-2D to U.S. Navy; Begins MYP-2
ARLINGTON, Va. — Northrop Grumman has successfully delivered the 51st E-2D Advanced Hawkeye for the U.S. Navy. The aircraft is the final one of a Multi-Year Procurement-1, the company said Jan. 21. The E-2D, numbered AA-52 in company production, is…
Marine Squadron First to Complete Transition to CH-53K
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. — The CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter now equips an operational Marine heavy helicopter squadron, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing said Jan. 25. A Jan. 24 ceremony at New River marked the transition…
Navy Delayed Announcement of First MQ-8C Deployment Five Weeks
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has deployed the MQ-8C version of its Fire Scout unmanned helicopter for the first time but waited five weeks to make the announcement. An MQ-8C, built by Northrop Grumman, was deployed operationally on Dec. 14…
Pilot Ejects as F-35C Lightning II has Landing Mishap on USS Carl Vinson
ARLINGTON, Va. — An F-35C Lightning II suffered a landing mishap Jan. 24 on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) while the carrier was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea, the U.S Pacific Fleet…
Navy’s Newest Fire Scout UAV Version Apparently on First Deployment
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has not officially announced it yet, but its newest version of the Navy’s Fire Scout unmanned helicopter — the MQ-8C — apparently is on its first deployment, according to Navy photographs. An MQ-8C Fire…
USS George Washington Next Carrier in Line for F-35C Capability
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s next aircraft carrier to receive modifications to operate the F-35C Lightning II strike fighter is the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), according to a Navy official. USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)…