***** ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier force is losing relevance because of a lack of investment in the aircraft that it carries, a naval analyst said. “We are a carrier-based force, so we have the 11 aircraft…
Berger: Lack of Amphibs Left AFRICOM with No Sea-Based Option for Sudan Evacuation
***** WASHINGTON — The presence of an amphibious ready group (ARG), with a Marine expeditionary unit (MEU)embarked, gives a regional combatant commander an option to respond to a crisis ashore. When the United States government decided to evacuate its embassy…
General Lists Marine Corps VTOL Development Priorities for Congress
***** WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps general in charge of aviation requirements detailed for Congress the service’s priorities for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platforms during testimony regarding the 2024 defense budget hearings. “Our VTOL Family of Systems has three…
Admiral: Analysis of Alternatives for MH-60 Helo Replacement Completed
***** WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has completed analysis of its options for future rotorcraft to replace the service’s MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters and has forwarded the analysis to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Rear Admiral Andrew…
Senator Grills SECNAV on Amphib Ship Plans
***** ARLINGTON, Va. — A senator used a congressional hearing to point out that the Navy would be violating the law by letting the number of amphibious warships drop below a Congressionally mandated level of 31 in fiscal year 2024. …
Marine Corps to Activate Second F-35C Squadron
***** ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Marine Corps is scheduled to activate its second F-35C Lightning II strike fighter squadron at the end of the week, Headquarters Marine Corps announced in a media announcement. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311)…
Navy’s Frigate Program Pushing Hard for 2026 Delivery of USS Constellation
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. —The Navy is pressing full bore to ensure that its new guided-missile frigate joins the fleet on time, the ship’s program manager said. “We’re pushing hard with our industry partners to deliver that ship in 2026,” said…
Navy’s Newest Carrier to Deploy in May, Program Official Says
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. —The Navy is pressing full bore to ensure that its new guided-missile frigate joins the fleet on time, the ship’s program manager said. “We’re pushing hard with our industry partners to deliver that ship in 2026,” said…
Navy Studying Arming P-8A Aircraft with the AARGM-ER Missile
************* NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Navy is conducting an integration study for arming its P-8A maritime patrol aircraft with the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER), a Navy program official said. Capt. Alex Dutko, program manager…
Textron Developing New Unmanned MAGNUSS Minesweeping Technology
*************** ARLINGTON, Va. — The technology to sweep sea mines without endangering Sailors has made another advance with a recent contract award to Textron Systems Corporation for the development of the Magnetic and Acoustic Generation Next Unmanned Superconducting Sweep (MAGNUSS)…
