March 28, 2024

After 45 Years, F/A-18 Continues to Evolve

F/A-18

The Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet celebrated its 45th anniversary earlier this month. The aircraft was born at Naval Air Systems Command and developed to be a strike fighter. The Hornet introduced a level of aircraft superiority that had not been seen before and set the standard for future development of next-generation fighters. Improvements to the fighter jet ensure that it will remain the Navy’s “workhorse.”

Power Companies Face Supply Crisis

Energy

US power companies face a supply-chain crisis this summer that threatens the availability of electricity heading into the heat of summer and peak hurricane season while federal agencies warn that the extreme weather could pose reliability issues. Meanwhile, the global supply-chain remains bottle-necked in Southern California ports.

Russian Test Threatens Space Station

A Russian missile test blew up one of Russia’s own satellites, creating debris that forced the ISS crew — four Americans, a German, and two Russians – to shelter in capsules. NASA says the Chinese space station was threatened as well.

Esper Targets Area No Longer Under Treaty

Esper

A day after the US pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, DefSec Mark Esper said he wants to deploy a ground-based missile able to travel into the previously prohibited range, “sooner rather than later.”

VADM: F-35 Program Could Be Hurt If Plan With Turkey Is Nixed

Defense Trade

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. F-35 program manager VADM Mathias Winter tells Capitol Hill lawmakers that if Turkey is ejected from the F-35 program, it would deal an immediate blow to the production rate for new planes and place fresh stress on an already strained supply chain, reports Breaking Defense. NAWCAD Lakehurst has adapted weapons loaders for the F-35B, reports dcmilitary.com. The modified support equipment gives the Lightning II more…