Boeing artist’s conception of a potential design for F/A-XX. Boeing Photo
The U.S. Navy expects to undertake an analysis of alternatives (AoA) for its F/A-XX next-generation replacement for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet starting in fiscal year 2015. Read More
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter transports supplies over the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) in the Middle East. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy is participating in the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program to develop an eventual replacement for its Sikorsky MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk fleets. Read More
USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) pulls away from its escort boats in transit to its dive point in 2013. US Navy Photo
The following is the Dec. 19, 2013 report from the Congressional Budget Office: Projected Costs of
U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2014 to 2023.
In its most recent review of U.S. nuclear policy, the Administration resolved to maintain all three types of systems that can deliver nuclear weapons over long ranges—submarines that launch ballistic missiles (SSBNs), land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and long-range bombers—known collectively as the strategic nuclear triad.
Navy F-35C test plane CF-3 successfully catches a wire during testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Lockheed Martin Photo
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has begun testing a new carrier arresting hook for the Navy’s version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Read More
X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator taxies on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) in May 2013. US Navy Photo
The U.S Navy’s unmanned carrier launched airborne surveillance and strike (UCLASS) program has evolved to call for a jet that is much larger and much more capable than what was envisioned just six months ago, Navy officials told USNI News.
USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts, and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2013.
JDS Myoko (DDG 175) pulls out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to support Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. US Navy Photo
This week Japan approved its latest five-year defense plan. The Mid Term Defense Plan (MTDP) defines Japan’s defense policy and capabilities for 2014 to 2018. The MTDP is meant to give policymakers, politicians, and the public an understanding of Japan’s defense priorities and the direction national defense is taking. Read More
X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) launches from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Nov. 10, 2013. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy may be forced to revamp its acquisition strategy for the Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) aircraft program if the House of Representatives’ version Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sticks. Read More
An F-35C Lightning II aircraft in August, 2013. US Navy Photo
Lockheed Martin is set to deliver a production version of the tailhook for the carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighter after an engineering glitch forced a partial redesign of the system.
An F-35B Lightning II aircraft lands aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) in August, 2013. US Navy Photo
While the U.S. Air Force is catching flack from Congress based on the assumption it will retire its fleet of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Warthog ground attack aircraft due to budgetary pressures for F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF), the U.S. Marine Corps is thrilled to be receiving Lockheed Martin F-35Bs to perform that same close air support (CAS) mission. Read More
