ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps’ first operational squadron to fly the F-35C carrier-capable version of the Lightning II joint strike fighter has retired its last F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter. In ceremonies held June 21 at Marine Corps Air Station…
Navy Frigate Manager: Practices Reducing Acquisition Timeline By 6 Years
WASHINGTON — A disciplined set of practices by the U.S. Navy’s frigate program office enabled the planned acquisition timeline for the new ship to be shortened by six years over what a new warship normally might have taken. Regan Campbell,…
Marine Corps Awards BAE Systems Contract to Develop ACV Mission Variants
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems a contract to develop two variants of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) and manufacture one of them. Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded “a not-to-exceed [$67 million] modification for…
CNO: Technological Readiness for War ‘Not a Pick-Up Thing’
WASHINGTON — The Navy’s top officer told a gathering of naval engineers and industry officials that being technologically ready for war is not something that can be achieved overnight but is the result of diligent experimentation and keeping pace with…
Missile That Brought Down Navy Global Hawk UAV Shot From Iranian Surface-to-Air System
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy RQ-4A Block 10 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) shot down June 19 by Iranian forces was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile of indigenous Iranian design and manufacture. The Global Hawk was downed by…
Navy Admiral: A Stable Shipbuilding Era, But New Opportunities on the Horizon
WASHINGTON — The admiral in charge of building the Navy’s surface ships said the construction programs are tracking well and that the service is gearing up for some new platforms, including unmanned surface ships. “We are in an era of…
New Pentagon $250 Million Aid to Ukraine Includes Naval Support
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department’s plans to provide additional security cooperation aid to Ukraine includes unspecified support for Ukraine’s navy and naval infantry, the Pentagon said in a release. DoD said it would provide $250 million in security cooperation…
Central Command Releases Timeline of Mine Attack in Gulf of Oman
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Central Command has published a timeline of the June 13 attacks on two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The two motor tankers, the Norway-flagged M/TAltair and the Japan-flagged M/T Kokuka Courageous, were apparently…
Raytheon, United Technologies to Merge
ARLINGTON, Va. — The merger of the Raytheon Co. and United Technologies Corp. (UTC), announced June 9, will result in a defense company with a broad portfolio in weapons, sensors, mission systems, avionics and propulsion. In a joint announcement, Raytheon…
Navy Awards $1.8 Billion Contract for F-35 Block 4 Capabilities
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. a contract to continue development of Block 4 capabilities for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Naval Air Systems Command awarded a $1.8 billion “cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee,…
