For 1st Time, F-35 Pilots Train at Japan Air Base
Marine Corps F-35B Lighting II stealth fighters are training alongside Japanese F-35As for the first time at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan. US and Japanese airmen welcomed the first operational JASDF F-35A to Misawa earlier this year.
F-35 Flies Final SDD-Phase Test at Pax
Three F-35 Lightning IIs have completed the most comprehensive flight test program in aviation history, Lockheed Martin officials said last week.
Senate Compromise Ends Gov’t. Shutdown
A bipartisan group of negotiators in the Senate prevailed with leadership, trading Democratic support for ending the nearly 60-hour federal government shutdown, for a commitment by Republicans to hold a vote resolving the status of young undocumented immigrants next month.
Students Train to Use Quadcopters
Early in December, more than 75 Southern Maryland students, mentors, coaches, and parents gathered at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum to learn about a new quadcopter program, initiated by The Patuxent Partnership, for local high school students.
Marines Taking UAS to New Heights and Lengths
From developing robots as advance troops, protectors even of the JSF, Marines seek to enlarge US military force with UAS. There are others who fear a robot arms race.
County to Create Business Incubator
Using seed money from the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, the St. Mary’s County commissioners are taking the first step toward creating a business incubator in the county.
Military Wants to Keep Eye on Small UAS
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency — DARPA — wants the capability to track and identify low-flying drones, as it can with planes and other unmanned aerial systems. Systems are being developed to track UAS flying below 1,000 feet. That would be the military equivalent of the air traffic control system.
Hypoxia Nagging Safety Problem in Some Aircraft
Pilots in F/A-18 Hornet variants and EA-18G Growler aircraft may be vulnerable to hypoxia-like symptoms.
Missile Defense Higher Priority
Missile defense develop is rising as a result of more aggressive posturing by North Korea, China and Russia.
Outgoing NavSec Supports Another BRAC
Increasing national defense costs on all fronts: pricing, sophistication of systems, rising non-traditional threats, and growing retiree expenses drives outgoing NavSec Mabus’ support for another BRAC, acknowledging the impact on the Navy and Marine Corps would be less severe than on the Army or Air Force.
