Submarine construction continues apace in the latest US Navy budget request, which asks for two more Virginia-class submarines and another installment for the missile sub Columbia. Here, the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Montana (SSN-794) is seen just after launch in March 2021 at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding. HII Photo
This post is part of a series looking back at the top naval stories from 2021. Read More
An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, prepares to land on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) June 17, 2021. US Navy Photo
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) departed San Diego Bay Monday afternoon with nearly 6,000 sailors and a crowded flight deck to begin a scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, marking a key milestone for 21st-century naval aviation. Read More
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, conducted the final flight on the F/A-18 A/B/C/D ‘Legacy’ Hornets marking the official transition of the Blue Angels to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets on Nov. 4, 2020. US Navy Photo
The Navy’s Blue Angels on Wednesday performed the squadron’s last flight with the F/A-18 legacy Hornets. Read More
U.S. Air Force Captain Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team Commander, flies during a demonstration practice near Hill Air Force Base, Utah, April 20, 2020. The F-35A demo team has been regularly practicing at home station in order to stay performance ready for the resumption of the air show seasons. U.S. Air Force Photo
Two non-NATO European countries are considering the purchase of American fighters, as part of two separate international competitions that are underway. Read More
Aviation Machinist’s Mates 1st Class Arnold Bredesen and Nelson Ramos perform routine maintenance on an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, at Naval Station Mayport. (Navy photo)
The Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron is seeking experienced maintainers to be in place by July 2020 as the team transitions to using F/A-18E/F Super Hornet airframes, the service said this week. Read More
A Canadian CF-18 along with four possible contenders for follow-on fighters for Canada. Top to bottom: Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter, Eurofighter Typhoon. DoD Photos
Boeing and Lockheed Martin, rivals locked in Canada’s long-time saga of considering a next-generation fighter, were two of four firms invited this week to submit bids to build the aircraft.
F/A-18E Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 ‘Knighthawks’ fly in formation during a photo exercise over California on March 12, 2019. US Navy Photo
The Navy awarded Boeing a $4 billion multi-year contract modification to build 78 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, according to a Wednesday Pentagon contract announcement. Read More
A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet, with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, is parked on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) US Navy Photo
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy is working through how it will try and hit the ambitious readiness target set by Secretary of Defense James Mattis for Hornet and Super Hornet fighters, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition James “Hondo” Geurts said on Tuesday. Read More
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Alexandra Mimbela performs maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet. US Navy Photo
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Navy is exploring how new acquisition authorities may help save money when buying weapons, but the service still needs to find ways to control long-term sustainment and modernization costs throughout the long lives of these systems, a panel said this week.
An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the “Blacklions” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) for an air power demonstration rehearsal in 2017. US Navy Photo
Robust demand for Boeing’s fighter and surveillance aircraft and increases in the company’s service business maintaining both military and commercial aircraft were cited by corporate leaders with helping boost second quarter revenues.
