A microwave/electro-optic (MS32) electronics engineer at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Corona Division, uses visible lasers to align various optical components on Aug. 29, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Defense Department is projecting a future where the United States will no longer hold an insurmountable advantage over its adversaries. As such, the Pentagon is launching an initiative to spur technological innovation in an attempt to maintain America’s military edge. Read More
Screenshot of Iranian PressTV footage of the Iranian copy of an American RQ-170 Sentinel Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). PressTV via YouTube
Iran claims to have test flown a domestically built copy of a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that crashed in country in 2011, according to local press reports. Read More
An undated photo of the Shenyang-J-31
The Chinese Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter will use Russian-built engines when it enters production. The prototype was known use Klimov RD-93 engines, which were derived from the Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum’s RD-33 afterburning turbofans. Many observers had expected the new Chinese fifth-generation fighter to eventually sport domestically developed engines. Read More
An undated photo of the Shenyang-J-31
China’s new Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter — making its debut next week at the Zhuhai international airshow — could eventually become more than a match for American stealth fighters in battle, several U.S. military and industry officials told USNI News. Read More
An undated picture of five F-35B and a single F-35C. Lockheed Martin Photo
Foreign air forces ordering the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will be able to customize the mission data packages loaded onto their aircraft in a compromise that defense officials say both preserves U.S. security and allows allies a greater degree of customization of their fighters. Read More
AV-8B Harriers sit on the flight deck at night aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) on Oct. 3, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Marine Corps will phase out the Boeing AV-8B Harrier II jump jet by 2025 — about five years earlier than planned — and will instead extend the life of its fleet of aging Boeing F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters, according to the service’s recently released 2015 aviation plan. Read More
US Navy F-35C Joint Strike Fighter lands for the first time on USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Nov. 3, 2014. US Navy Photo
The Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighter has made a successful trap onboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). Read More
Lt. Scott Cleveland, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, is directed to park the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter after landing at Naval Air Station Oceana. US Navy Photo
The naval variant of the tri-service Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter is set to land upon the deck of USS Nimitz (CVN-68) next week. Two of the single-engine F-35C stealth fighters are set to carry out a set of sea trials onboard the carrier to ensure that the jets can operate safely from the flight deck. Read More
Yasen-class attack submarine.
The Russian Navy is set to take delivery of an improved Project 885M Yasen-class attack submarine in 2016 according to Russian state media. The new vessel, named after the city of Kazan, incorporates many improvements to the lead Project 855 boat, K-329 Severodvinsk, which was commissioned earlier in 2014. Read More
Russian Project 885 submarine during sea trials.
One of the U.S. Navy’s top submarine officers was so impressed with Russia’s new Project 885 nuclear attack boats that he had a model of K-329 Severodvinsk built for his office. Read More
