Category Archives: Aviation

DEPSECDEF Hicks: DoD Wants Thousands of Drones to Counter China’s Military Mass Advantage

DEPSECDEF Hicks: DoD Wants Thousands of Drones to Counter China’s Military Mass Advantage

A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel (USV) operates with guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) in the Arabian Gulf during exercise Phantom Scope, Oct. 7, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Pentagon is betting that by fielding thousands of attritable autonomous systems across domains in fewer than two years, the United States can overcome China’s advantage of mass in manpower, ships, aircraft and missiles, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said in a Monday speech. Read More

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 28, 2023

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 28, 2023

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 Aug. 28, 2023, 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

UPDATED: 3 U.S. Marines Killed in Australian MV-22 Crash

UPDATED: 3 U.S. Marines Killed in Australian MV-22 Crash

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, transports Royal Australian Air Force and Navy senior leadership during Talisman Sabre 23, in the Coral Sea, July 22, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

Three Marines were killed in a Sunday MV-22B Osprey crash off the coast of Darwin, Australia, according to the service.

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Growing Tension with China Requires More Surveillance off the Philippines, Report Finds

Growing Tension with China Requires More Surveillance off the Philippines, Report Finds

PCG vessels – BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan escorted the indigenous boats utilized by the AFP as supply vessels to transport essential provisions to our troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, completing the mission on Aug. 22, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard Photo

With a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane circling overhead, two resupply ships escorted by two Philippine Coast Guard vessels maneuvered their way through a Chinese naval blockade in a five-hour confrontation to bring food, other supplies and a fresh crew to its forces guarding a contested shoal, according to press reports. Read More

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 21, 2023

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 21, 2023

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 Aug. 21, 2023, 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

USS Bataan, USS Carter Hall and 26th MEU Now in the Persian Gulf

USS Bataan, USS Carter Hall and 26th MEU Now in the Persian Gulf

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft operate alongside amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) in the Gulf of Oman, Aug. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and landing dock ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), sailing on orders to the Persian Gulf region, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, USNI has learned. Read More