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…
Navy’s Heliborne EW Pods Set for Delivery at Year’s End
ARLINGTON, Va. — Lockheed Martin is set to deliver to the Navy the first Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare AOEW pods at the end of 2019, the company’s program manager said. The first set of pods is on track for delivery…
Boeing’s MQ-25 Prototype Will Save the Navy 18 Months of Development
ARLINGTON, Virginia — The existence of a working prototype of the Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based aerial refueling UAV will save 18 months of development time and could be a factor if the Navy decides to move up the date of…
Lack of Well Deck Seen as a Wash for LHA USS America
ARLINGTON, Va.— The transfer of the new amphibious assault ship USS America to the Forward-Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) next fiscal year will bring a change in capabilities to the 7th Fleet’s amphibious ready group, but the Marines that will go…
Marines to Rebuild WWII B-29 Airfield on Tinian for Training Use
ARLINGTON, Virginia — The airfield that launched the B-29 bombers that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan in World War II is being partially refurbished for use as a divert field and refueling point for Marine Corps aircraft in training…
