March 19, 2024

Flying Taxi Maker Joins Paris Airshow

While the world’s largest air show typically focused on military and commercial planes, flying taxi maker Volocopter showed up at the Paris Airshow to show it is on track to ferry customers around Paris Olympics next year. Other 2023 newcomers to the world’s largest air show included electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Protocols Reduce Hypoxia – But No Clear Cause

hypoxia

The Navy has substantially reduced hypoxic-like events in its fighters and trainers through implementation of new protocols and techniques. After spending $50 million and producing 8,000 pages of technical documentation, no single reason can be identified as the cause of hypoxia-like events.

Navy Plans for Unmanned ‘Ghost Fleet’

unmanned fleet

Navy plans for a “ghost fleet” of 10 large unmanned vessels able to operate without humans aboard and estimated at $2.7 billion over the next five years.

Most F-35s Return to Flight

F-35

Most F-35s return to flight operations after fuel tubes were inspected. About 20 percent are still awaiting replacement tubes.

Defense Bill Includes Submarine Launched Nuclear Weapon

submarine launched nuclear weapon

The Senate and House agreed on a $716 billion defense authorization bill which includes $65 million to develop a controversial new submarine-launched nuclear weapon, the Trident II D5 with a W76-2, aimed at deterring Russia.

Trump’s Military Parade Tentatively Set for Veterans Day in DC

counterterrorism

Nothing’s final and none of the $10 million to $30 million necessary has been located, but tentatively President Donald Trump’s military parade is scheduled for Veterans Day in Washington, DC.

Is F-35 ‘Ready to Go at 50 Below’?

'ready to go at 50 below'

Along with everything else, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has to operate in harsh weather conditions. A series of tests is slated for Eielson AFB in Alaska, with the motto, “Ready to Go at 50 Below!”

Japan Struggles to Accept Osprey Role After Recent Crash

Osprey

Despite strong local concerns about the safety of the US V-22 Ospreys at Okinawa, the Japanese Defense Ministry describes the aircraft as imperative for Japan’s defense.

Warships’ Nuclear Waste Heading to Idaho

nuclear waste

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.

Lasers Shoot Down a UAV at ‘Black Dart’

laser trap

Lasers features increasingly prominently in military researching seeking radically advanced weapons.