3 Options in Navy’s New Shipbuilding Plan
The Navy is sifting through three options for its shipbuilding plans — only one gets to the goal of 355 ships.
Air Force Wish List Includes More F-35s
Add more F-35 fighter jets to the US Air Force’s wish list. The service’s list for fiscal 2023 include billions of dollars for seven more, brand-new F-35As as well as EC-37 Compass Calls aircraft, hypersonic technology tests, and 26 construction projects for bases recovering from natural disasters.
Pilots Take First-Ever Crewed Flight in Military-Worthy Electric Aircraft
US Air Force pilots conducted the first-ever crewed flight of an electric aircraft — an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) — with military airworthiness. This milestone, which took place at BETA Technologies’ Plattsburgh, NY, facility earlier this month was the culmination of a two-year partnership between BETA and the Air Force’s Agility Prime program.
Russia’s Assault on Ukraine Continues
Ukraine President Zelenskyy called on volunteers from around the world to join the fight for his country as the assault from Russia continues. Russia’s invasion into Ukraine is raising questions about what would trigger a military response from the US and NATO forces.
Mach 1 Caucus to Advocate for Fighter Jets
Fighter jets have a new ally on Capitol Hill. Four GOP House members, all former military pilots, have formed the Mach 1 Caucus to advocate for policy issues important to the fighter pilot community.
2 Mishaps in January Rough Start for F-35
Two mishaps in January have gotten the F-35 off to a rough start in 2022. There was a landing mishap with an F-35C on the deck of the carrier USS Carl Vinson and a bird strike that caused an F-35A to make a belly landing in South Korea.
Israel to Purchase 12 CH-53K Helicopters
The Israeli Air Force will purchase 12 Lockheed Martin CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopters at the price of $2 billion. Negotiations are said to have taken place over the last several years.
MQ-25 Stingray Arrives for Carrier Trials
The US Navy’s new MQ-25 Stingray carrier-based tanker drone demonstrator is now aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier for the first time to begin deck-handling trials.
Atwa, Wanted for Role in 1985 Hijacking That Killed Local Sailor, Dies
Ali Atwa, a senior Hezbollah operative who was on the FBI’s most wanted list for his role in in the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 that led to the death of a US Navy diver Robert D. Stethem of Waldorf, MD.
Navy Challenges: China, Culture, Climate, COVID
China, culture, climate, and COVID. These are the four main challenges facing the US Navy, says NavSec Carlos Del Toro in his statement to the fleet.
