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)…
SECNAV: Allies, Partners Are ‘Huge Advantage’ for U.S.
WASHINGTON — The secretary of the Navy stressed forward presence and engagement with U.S. allies and partners as advantageous in pacing the threat of China and Russia in the maritime domain. Allies and partners “are our huge advantage,” said Navy…
Cooper: LCS Deploying to U.S. 5th Fleet in 2022
ARLINGTON, Va. — The long-planned forward deployment of littoral combat ships to the Persian Gulf is approaching execution, with the anticipated first deployment of an LCS to the U.S. 5th Fleet, the fleet commander said. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander,…
Official: Navy Seeks Integration of Combat Systems Across the Fleet
ARLINGTON, Va. — A senior Navy program executive said that the service is moving toward integration of combat systems across the fleet to achieve commonality of sensors and weapons and the benefits derived from fielding common and scalable systems. Bob…
