Category Archives: Aviation

Short-Term Problems are Prime Focus of New Pentagon Drone Initiative

Short-Term Problems are Prime Focus of New Pentagon Drone Initiative

Two unmanned surface vessels, a Devil Ray T-38 and Saildrone Explorer, operate in the Gulf of Aqaba, Sept. 10, during Eager Lion 2022. US Navy Photo

Solving short-term problems for military commanders in the Pacific and Europe is driving the Pentagon’s push to accelerate production of attritable air, sea and ground drones powered by artificial intelligence, USNI News has learned. Read More

Japan Releases $53B Defense Budget Focused on Shipbuilding, Fighters

Japan Releases $53B Defense Budget Focused on Shipbuilding, Fighters

A Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-35A Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter in 2021. JSDF Photo

Japan’s Ministry of Defense requested on Thursday a record defense budget of $53 billion for Fiscal Year 2024, an increase over FY2023’s budget of $46.8 billion. The increased request reflects the Kishida administration’s intention to boost defense spending and capabilities over the next five years, though the final decision will be made by the Finance Ministry in December. Read More

Threats in Western Pacific Drawing South Korea, Japan Closer Together, Experts Say

Threats in Western Pacific Drawing South Korea, Japan Closer Together, Experts Say

Sailors aboard a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense ship in formation with USS Benfold on Aug. 28, 2023, JMSDF Photo

Joint Chinese-Russian naval exercises near Japan and recent North Korea firing missiles underscore the importance of the historic agreement recently reached at Camp David between the U.S., Japan and South Korea, the White House’s former top official for the Indo-Pacific said Tuesday. Read More

Florida, Georgia Naval Bases Prepare for Hurricane Idalia

Florida, Georgia Naval Bases Prepare for Hurricane Idalia

USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) prepares to leave its homeport, Naval Station Mayport, as Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet orders U.S. Navy ships in the area to sortie on Aug. 29, 2023. US Navy Photo

Ahead of the anticipated Tuesday night landfall of Hurricane Idalia, Navy ships and aircraft have either left the path of the storm or are hunkered down with extra mooring, Navy officials told USNI News Tuesday. Read More