ARLINGTON, Va. — The first two fuselages for the Navy’s CMV-22B Osprey carrier-onboard-delivery (COD) aircraft have been detailed for final assembly, the aircraft’s program manager said. “First delivery is later this year,” said Marine Col. Matthew Kelly, joint program manager…
Navy’s Next Tomahawk Missile: Block 5
ARLINGTON, Va.— Raytheon Missile Co. will build a new block upgrade of the Tomahawk cruise missile for the U.S. Navy even as the company takes older missiles into a recertification program to return them to service. “Tomahawk has returned to…
Marine Corps to Procure Naval Strike Missile
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Using the congressionally approved Other Transaction Authority with the Marine Corps Systems Command, Raytheon will integrate the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) into the Marine Corps’ existing force structure. In recent years the Corps has determined a…
Boeing’s Service-Life Modernization of Navy Super Hornets Underway
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The first seven of Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters have been inducted into the service-life modernization (SLM) at Boeing’s St. Louis, Missouri, facility, while next month the company’s San Antonino facility will induct its…
MQ-25 IOC ‘As Soon as Possible,’ Navy’s Unmanned Aviation Chief Says
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Navy’s admiral in charge of unmanned aviation said that the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the MQ-25A aerial tanking unmanned aerial vehicle is “as soon as possible.” Speaking May 6 to an audience at the…
Marine Corps Looking at Future Light Helicopter Replacement
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Marine Corps and the Army are running an analysis of alternatives (AOA) to see whether the two services can meet the same requirements for Milestone A or B start in fiscal 2021, a Marine helicopter…
Milestone C Decision Expected in Late May for Presidential Helicopter
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Navy expects to reach a Milestone C decision in late May for the VH-92A presidential transport helicopter. Such a decision would mark approval for the helicopter to enter low-rate initial production. Speaking to an audience…
Last HH-60H Helicopters to Be Retired This Year
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Navy will retire is last HH-60H Seahawk special operations support helicopters this year, an official said. Speaking to an audience at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space expo in National Harbor, Maryland, Marine Maj. Gen Greg Masiello,…
Analysis Underway for E-6B Mercury Aircraft Replacement
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — An analysis of alternatives (AOA) is underway in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for a replacement for the Navy’s E-6B Mercury strategic communications aircraft. Speaking to an audience at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference…
Pentagon Report Cites Rapidly Modernizing Chinese Navy
ARLINGTON, Virginia — China’s first home-built aircraft carrier is likely to join the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet this year, a highlight of China’s effort to modernize its fleet with modern, farther-ranging platforms and weapons. Construction began on a…
