Category Archives: Aviation

Northrop Grumman Awarded $3.64 billion E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Contract

Northrop Grumman Awarded $3.64 billion E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Contract

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft conduct a test flight in 2009. The Navy included one more E-2D in its unfunded priorities list submitted to Congress this week. US Navy Photo

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft conduct a test flight in 2009. The Navy included one more E-2D in its unfunded priorities list submitted to Congress this week. US Navy Photo

The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a $3.64 billion contract to build 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. The five-year contract, which was awarded on Monday, will save the U.S. government about $369 million, according to the Navy. Read More

Air Force Grounds All F-35As Following Fire

Air Force Grounds All F-35As Following Fire

Lockheed Martin test pilot, flies AF-2, the second production F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, during an airframe loads envelope expansion mission June 11, 2014, over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. US Air Force Photo

Lockheed Martin test pilot, flies AF-2, the second production F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, during an airframe loads envelope expansion mission June 11, 2014, over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. US Air Force Photo

The U.S. Air Force has extended the grounding of its Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter to include its entire fleet after a fire on Monday severely damaged one aircraft on take-off. The pilot was not injured. Read More

Chinese Ships Arrive at Pearl Harbor

Chinese Ships Arrive at Pearl Harbor

An American sailor on guard near the Chinese guided missile destroyer Haikou (171) at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on June 24, 2014. CCTV Photo

An American sailor on guard near the Chinese guided missile destroyer Haikou (171) at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on June 24, 2014. CCTV Photo

Two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships arrived at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Tuesday, according to Chinese press reports. Read More

Fire Breaks Out on F-35 at Eglin Air Force Base, Pilot Safe

Fire Breaks Out on F-35 at Eglin Air Force Base, Pilot Safe

 F-35A Lightning II while another Air Force joint strike fighter waits to be refueled at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. US Air Force Photo

F-35A Lightning II while another Air Force joint strike fighter waits to be refueled at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. US Air Force Photo

This post was updated to include a statement from Lockheed Martin.

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was severely damaged — possibly destroyed — in a Monday morning fire on the runway at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., USNI News learned.

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Next Generation Engine Work Points to Future U.S. Fighter Designs

Next Generation Engine Work Points to Future U.S. Fighter Designs

A Boeing artist's conception of a potential design for F/A-XX. Boeing Photo

A Boeing artist’s conception of a potential design for F/A-XX. Boeing Photo

The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force are in the earliest stages of creating the requirements for their next generation of fighters but development of the engines that will power those aircraft are already well underway — and provide hints on what American sixth-generation aircraft will be able to do. One thing is already clear, both aircraft will be fast, long range and extremely efficient. Read More