It’s Show Time for the Navy’s Elite Pilots
The US Navy’s Blue Angels in a flyover across the Navy-Marine Stadium in Annapolis, MD, in 2020. (DoD photo) Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff. The US Navy’s elite pilots are headed for the big screen again. “The Blue Angels,” a new documentary, will make its way to Amazon Prime and IMAX theaters, reports NBC News. The film follows the service’s flight demonstration squadron as it enters its 78th year….
US Defense Trade Up Over Last Year
Through the first two quarters of this fiscal year, the US has signed $46.9 billion in weapons sales to foreign partners and allies — smashing past the $41.9B figure from all of fiscal 2017.
US Faces Cyber Threats on Many Fronts
National Intelligence Director Dan Coats issues warnings about cyber threats to US national security. Digital attempts to undermine America are occurring daily, not just at election time from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and criminal networks and individual hackers.
US to Promote Arms Sales at Air Show
Lots of senior American officials will be in attendance this week at the Farnborough International Airshow in England eager to boost sales of US weapons and aircraft.
A New Flying Classroom for Test Pilots
An old Fairchild Swearingen C-26A Metroliner is now the Airborne Systems Training and Research Support, or ASTARS III, and belongs to the Test Pilot School at NAS Pax. The aircraft will serve as a flying classroom.
New Roles on Horizon for F-35
The US Air Force might deploy the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to the Baltics for an air-policing role once the new stealth aircraft becomes operational later this year. The new fighter is to enter service with the Air Force with an interim software capability that offers limited combat capability.
Must-See Aviation Event Underway
The year’s biggest aviation event is underway in the United Kingdom at Farnborough International Air Show. The biggest names in aviation, rising unmanned aerial systems, emerging plane makers and hardware displays fill the week.
DepDefSec Work Expected at UK Air Show
While the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is expected to dominate much of the news coming out of the upcoming Farnborough Air Show, the appearance of US Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work is adding what Breaking Defense is calling “a boost in firepower for the air show.” Reports are that he will discuss his Third Offset Strategy in closed-door meetings while he is in the United Kingdom.
Triton UAS Demonstrates Key Capabilities
The US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton UAS, in flight, demonstrates two key capabilities: exchanging full motion video feedback with the P-8A Poseidon using a common data link, and creating ate situational awareness for P-8 aircrew by tracking a target with its electro-optical/infrared digital camera.
Move to Put Drones at Wallops Gains New Support
The Accomack County, VA, joins lobbying efforts to locate the Navy still-under-development MQ-4C Triton drone program at the Wallops Flight Facility. Two other sites under consideration are in Jacksonville, FL, and Key West, FL.
