The Year Ahead for Military UAVs
The US and the West are not alone when it comes to fielding advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. Its likely in 2017 western militaries will invest in complex UAVs; smaller countries will seek a basic level of drone capability.
Sequestration Taking Its Toll on Readiness
President Obama says the “reckless budget cuts of sequestration” have hurt military readiness. Also at issue is that sequestration takes a toll on Marine aviators’ safety.
Trump Keeps Attention on Defense Industry
President-elect Donald Trump is taking aim at the defense industry: saying the industry should be banned from hiring former Pentagon contracting officials and criticizing the cost of the F-35 JSF program and the Air Force One contract.
Warships’ Nuclear Waste Heading to Idaho
A $1.65 billion nuclear waste storage facility in eastern Idaho will be built to handle fuel waste from the nation’s fleet of nuclear-powered warships.
F-35 JSF Has Friends in High Places
The chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and 70 House members are calling for an agreement with the Senate to pay for 11 new F-35s, while at the same time adding $100 million to help the Air Force fund advance procurement for 2018.
After Delay, Rocket Now on Way to ISS
After a 24-hour delay, the Orbital Antares rocket was launched from Wallops Island in the Chesapeake Bay on Monday night. It’s on its way to the International Space Station with supplies.
New Ops Center for Atlantic Test Ranges
Construction has begun of a new operations center for the US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Atlantic Test Ranges has begun. slated for completion in 2017. The project will boost the ATR’s ability to support simultaneous test operations for future and current naval aviation programs, including unmanned systems and virtual, live, and constructive battlespace environments.
Confrontations Escalate in Persian Gulf
Iran escalates confrontations with US warships in the Persian Gulf.
Has F-35 JSF Turned a Corner?
The US Air Force declared its first squadron of F-35As ready for battle last week. The JSF was declared operational by the Marine Corps in July 2015; and the Navy aims for February 2019. The F-35 Lightning II might have finally turned a corner, overcoming the technical problems that have plagued its readiness to serve.
With F-35s, USMC Could Dominate Naval Aviation
With the US Marine Corps purchasing the bulk of the Navy’s planned fleet of 680 Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, the USMC will likely form the dominant component of naval tactical aviation in the coming years.
