WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps’ fleet of AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft may serve until 2028, the Corps’ aviation chief told Congress, a two-year extension of the previous plan. “We will continue to be a fourth-gen/fifth-gen [tactical aircraft] fleet out…
Marine Corps Sees Cargo UAVs as the Future of Logistics in Distributed Operations
WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps plans to continue experimentation with its two K-Max cargo unmanned aerial vehicles (CUAVs) and hopes to procure more to add to experimentation in logistics for distributed operations. “We see this as the future of distributed…
Marine Pilots Killed in AH-1Z Helicopter Crash; First Naval Aviation Loss of 2019
ARLINGTON, Va. — The loss of a Marine Corps AH-1Z helicopter March 30 was the first crash of a U.S. naval aviation aircraft since the beginning of the calendar year. Two Marine pilots were killed when the AH-1Z Viper helicopter…
Marines Perform ‘Arduous’ Evaluation of New Grenade Launcher
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia —The Marine Corps plans to introduce a new weapon intended to enhance the lethality of infantry Marines on the battlefield, the Marine corps Systems Command said in a March 26 release. The M320A1 is a…
Proposed 2020 Budget Promises Major Funding for Marine Aviation and Ground Combat Programs, Hurricane Repair
The fiscal year 2020 national defense budget unveiled March 12 provides substantial funding for the Marine Corps’ major aviation and ground combat programs and promises help in repairing the heavy damage inflicted on its East Coast bases by hurricanes last…
Keel Laid on Future USS Bougainville
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — The keel-laying and authentication ceremony for the future USS Bougainville (LHA 8) was held March 14 at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Pascagoula shipyard, the Naval Sea Systems command said in a release. The ship’s sponsor, Ellyn…
Corps Committed to National Defense Strategy While Continuing to Fill Traditional Missions, Including Counter-Insurgency, Commandant Tells Defense Forum
WASHINGTON — Although the Marine Corps is responding to the National Defense Strategy’s focus on preparing for the return to great power competition, “we still have to operate across the full range of military operations,” the Marines’ top officer said…
House Panel’s Dissatisfaction With President on Afghanistan, Syria, Africa Cuts Across Party Lines
Members of the House Armed Services Committee expressed bipartisan concern and opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies and statements on Afghanistan, Syria and Africa, with Republicans and Democrats throwing critical questions and opinions at the commanders of those crucial areas…
EA-6B Prowler Naval Electronic Attack Aircraft Set for Retirement
ARLINGTON, Va. —The Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft will be retired from naval service on March 8 in ceremonies at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. The last squadron to operate the Prowler, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare…
Marine Corps Seeks Ideas, Information for Optical Communication Transmission System
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has released a Request for Information (RFI) to identify a nondevelopmental solution to provide a complete Line of Sight (LOS) Optical Communication Transmission System (OTCS), the command said in a…
