Retrofit Ordered for F-35 Fleet Worldwide
The F-35 Joint Program Office has ordered that all F-35 jets should be retrofitted with a fix intended to solve a potential engine vibration problem. This includes a global retrofit, not just for US aircraft.
Probe Finds Pilot Error in F-35C Crash
Naval Air Forces investigators found that pilot error caused an F-35C Lightning II fighter jet to crash onto the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson before sliding into the South China Sea last year. The error “was not conducted in a reckless manner nor with malicious intent,” according to the Naval Air Forces Command.
DoD End-of-Year Contracts for Dec. 27-30
These end-of-the-year Department of Defense contracts were awarded in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, from December 27-December 30, 2022.
Contractors Get Half of DoD Budget
More than half of the Pentagon’s yearly budget goes to private contractors. In 2021, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman received over $116 billion in Pentagon contracts while paying their top two dozen executives a total of $287 million. The CEOs of the top five contractors received compensation ranging from $18 million to $23 million each.
TPP Topic: Carrier Air Wing in DMO
There’s still time to register for The Patuxent Partnership’s panel discussion December 14 on “The Carrier Air Wing in DMO – The Sequel.” The event will feature RADM Andrew Loiselle, director of Air Warfare Division, N98, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Pax Alum 1st Native Woman to Fly Into Space
NAS Patuxent River alum Nicole Mann will be the first Native woman to fly into space this fall. She is scheduled to be aboard the SpaceX Crew-5 mission to go to the International Space Station.
State Dept. Ups Reward for Info on Hackers
The US State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identity and location of five hackers thought to be part of the Russia-backed Conti ransomware group. Another Russian hacking group is claiming an attack on Lockheed Martin that knocked the company’s websites offline.
Ukraine ‘Fantastic Case Study’ in Information Warfare, Says General
US Marine Corps commandant GEN David Berger said the past four months of war in Ukraine has been a “fantastic case study” in information warfare. “If you can manage information, you can actually gain an advantage,” he said.
Aircraft ‘Safety Pause’ Ordered by Navy
Three US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft crashes in the past week and a half — two of which were fatal — have led the Navy’s aviation community to undergo a “safety pause.” During the pause Monday, all non-deployed units reviewed risk-management practices and conducted training “on threat and error-management processes.”
New Helicopters Headed to Andrews
Joint Base Andrews, MD, will be the next location to receive the new MH-139 helicopter. The Grey Wolf will replace the aging UH-1N Huey and expand the base’s fleet size.
