The following is the Feb. 4, 2019 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
Category Archives: Aviation
Pentagon’s Director, Operational Test & Evaluation 2018 Annual Report
The following is the Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) 2017 annual report. It was released in late January 2019. Read More
Navy’s Last F-18 Hornet Squadron Sundowns Ahead of Transition to Super Hornet
A Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 34 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) prepares to launch during the Rim of the Pacific 2018 exercise. VFA-34’s planes were painted to honor the squadron’s history ahead of its transition to the Super Hornet. USNI News photo.
The Navy held a sundown ceremony on Friday for its last operational F-18 Hornet squadron, with the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 taking their last flight over Naval Air Station Oceana before transitioning to newer jets. Read More
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 4, 2019
USNI News Graphic
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Feb. 4, 2019, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Read More
USNI News Video: All-Female ‘Missing Woman’ Flyover Honors First Female Navy Jet Pilot
On Feb. 2, 2019, eight naval aviators based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. flew four F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters in the first “missing woman’ formation to honor the passing of the first female U.S. Navy jet pilot, Capt. Rosemary Mariner. Read More
Carrier Lincoln Crew Preparing for Mid-Deployment Homeport Shift to San Diego
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Atlantic Ocean during a strait transit exercise on Jan. 30, 2019. Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12. US Navy photo.
ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, IN THE VIRGINIA CAPES OPERATING AREA – When the sailors of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group leave Naval Station Norfolk for deployment this spring, some will be returning to Virginia afterwards and others won’t due to a homeport shift taking place during the deployment. Read More
UPDATED: Navy Awards 2-Carrier Contract to Newport News Shipbuilding
The final piece of the underwater hull of the future aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is lowered into place at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in September. Photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries.
THE PENTAGON – The Navy awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding a contract for two aircraft carriers, the first of its kind since the 1980s. Read More
Navy to Honor First Female Fighter Pilot with Female-Piloted Flyover at Funeral
Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia – ENS Rosemary Conatser (later Mariner) at the controls of a fleet composite Squadron Two, VC-2, S-2 Tracker Antisubmarine Aircraft. January 9, 1975. Via U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
This post has been updated to correct the name of Cmdr. Paige Blok, which was misspelled in an initial version of the Navy’s press release.
The Navy will say goodbye to its first female fighter pilot with its first all-female flyover, the service told USNI News on Wednesday. Read More
Lockheed: F-35A Cost To Drop Below $80 Million Per Fighter In 2023
Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 Heritage Flight Team pilot and commander, performs a tactical pitch maneuver in an F-35A Lightning II during the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 23, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif.
Lockheed Martin is committed to producing the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for $80 million each by next year and further reducing the overall program costs as part of the next production contract negotiations with the Department of Defense, the company said on Tuesday Read More
Carrier Lincoln Preparing for Deployment After Several High-End Training Opportunities
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) (left), USS Nitze (DDG 94), and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) transit ahead of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during flight operations. Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12. The components of CSG-12 embody a “team-of-teams” concept, combining advanced surface, air and systems assets to create and sustain operational capability. US Navy photo.
ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, IN THE VIRGINIA CAPES OPERATING AREA – The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway for pre-deployment training after reaping the benefits of several high-end training opportunities in the last several months. Read More
