US, Britain Ready for F-35B Flight Trials
Great Britain’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has departed for the US to carry out flight trials with F-35B fighter jets at the Portsmouth naval base.
Defense Spending Bills Taking Shape
Both the House and Senate are proposing $675B in defense spending. The House passed its version of the defense appropriations bill last week. Lawmakers will return after the holiday to reconcile their differences in the legislation.
Senate Blocks F-35 Sale to Turkey
US Senate blocks Lockheed’s $10 billion sale of F-35s to Turkey, fearing the fighter jet’s secrets are at risk since the NATO ally’s decision to buy the Russian S-400 air defense system.
Raptor, Not F-35, Deployed for Security Mission
The F-22 Raptor has deployed to the Pacific as part of a theater security mission, swapping in for the Air Force’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Naval Aviation Ground Mishaps on Rise
Class C ground mishaps in naval aviation have doubled in the past decade. VADM DeWolfe Miller, Naval Air Forces chief, has made eliminating the mistakes his current No. 2 priority — behind the continued efforts to eliminate cockpit physiological episodes.
355-Ship Navy Not a Wish. It’s Now Policy
President Trump’s 2018 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision that calls for the US to build up to 355 ships “as soon as practicable.” That makes achieving a 355-ship Navy national policy.
Navy Receives First New Triton Drone
The Navy’s first Triton drone is set to meet early operational capability in 2018, with initial operational capability slated for 2021.
GAO: F-35 Plagued With Problems
A Government Accountability Office report says DoD’s new fleet of F-35 Lightning IIs is experiencing spare parts shortages and other sustainment problems that are hurting the readiness of the fighter jets.
Navy Eliminates Office Overseeing Warfare UAVs
The Navy’s Office of Unmanned Warfare Systems has been eliminated, and its functions are being distributed to other offices. OPNAV N99 was set up less than two years ago to oversee the warfare development of UAVs by then-NavSec Ray Mabus.
New US Challenge: Dealing With N. Korea
North Korea’s latest nuclear test was the biggest recorded detonation since the country began underground testing in 2006. Analysts say this is a key step toward developing missile capable of reaching the US mainland.
