Tag Archives: Naval Air Systems Command

Navy Autonomy Lab Would Test, Integrate Software Advances to Bring More Capability to Unmanned Fleet

Navy Autonomy Lab Would Test, Integrate Software Advances to Bring More Capability to Unmanned Fleet

A Knifefish unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) training model undergoes crane operations aboard the Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) as part of a training exercise enabling mine countermeasure missions (MCM) from an EPF as a Vessel of Opportunity (VOO). Knifefish is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV designed for deployment off the littoral combat ship in 2019. US Navy Photo

The Navy is kicking off a pilot program for an autonomy lab that would eventually help test and integrate new advances in autonomy software with existing unmanned vessels, keeping the unmanned fleet outfitted with the newest capabilities for the lowest development cost. Read More

VIDEO: Marines Pleased With CH-53K Success During Sea Trials Aboard USS Wasp

VIDEO: Marines Pleased With CH-53K Success During Sea Trials Aboard USS Wasp

The CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter conducted sea trials aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1) in the Mid-Atlantic from June 8 – 21, 2020. US Navy photo.

The Marine Corps wrapped up its first sea trials with the new CH-53K King Stallion, crossing off one of the last big items on the to-do list before the heavy lift helicopter program can turn the aircraft over to the fleet for operational tests and a 2023 first deployment. Read More

VIDEO: First Operational Navy V-22 Arrives at New COD Squadron

VIDEO: First Operational Navy V-22 Arrives at New COD Squadron

The first CMV-22B Osprey assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 lands at Naval Air Station North Island on June 22, 2020. US Navy Photo

The first of a new generation of aircraft that will ferry supplies and personnel on and off aircraft carriers arrived at the first operational squadron in California on Monday. Read More

Navy MQ-4 Triton Flying Operational Missions From Guam

Navy MQ-4 Triton Flying Operational Missions From Guam

Navy MQ-4C Triton taxis at Andersen Air Force Base on April 29, 2020. US Navy Photo

Almost three months after arriving in Guam, a pair of MQ-4C Triton autonomous, unmanned aircraft have integrated into fleet operations and training flights and stretched the Navy’s maritime domain awareness across the Indo-Pacific, according to the Navy. Read More

Navy Offers 3D Printing, Technical Expertise to National COVID-19 Response

Navy Offers 3D Printing, Technical Expertise to National COVID-19 Response

Jose Ruiz, a mechanical engineer at Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Keyport, works on parts for face shield prototypes on March 25, 2020. NUWC Keyport is currently exploring ways to use its additive manufacturing capabilities to help the Washington state medical community, including Naval Hospital Bremerton, with personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. US Navy photo.

The Navy has begun contributing to the broader fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with several centers using additive manufacturing capabilities to print protective gear for frontline workers at community hospitals. Read More

Navy’s Next Major Ship Program Sees Challenges Balancing Requirements and Cost

Navy’s Next Major Ship Program Sees Challenges Balancing Requirements and Cost

USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) during construction at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. BIW photo.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Navy’s new requirements process that brings industry in early to refine ideas and conduct prototyping may have prevented the service from going down a costly path with its Large Surface Combatant, the head of Naval Sea Systems Command said. Read More

Navy's First MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Deploy To Guam

Navy’s First MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Deploy To Guam

An MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) idles on a runway at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam after arriving for a deployment as part of an early operational capability (EOC) test. US Navy Photo

About a year later than initially expected, the first two MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft arrived in Guam over the weekend, marking a significant step toward increasing the Navy’s Western Pacific reconnaissance and surveillance capability, the service announced this weekend. Read More

Navy CMV-22B Osprey Design Completes First Flight

Navy CMV-22B Osprey Design Completes First Flight

A Bell-Boeing CMV-22B Osprey completes its first flight on Jan. 21, 2020. Bell-Boeing Photo

The first CMV-22B Osprey – the tiltrotor aircraft selected to replace the Navy’s aging fleet of C-2A Greyhounds as the carrier onboard delivery aircraft – completed its first flight operations, according to its manufacturer. Read More

Marines, NAVAIR Declare CH-53K Heavy-Lift Helo Engine Problems Resolved

Marines, NAVAIR Declare CH-53K Heavy-Lift Helo Engine Problems Resolved

The CH-53K King Stallion lifts a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, January 18, 2018. The purpose of this exercise was to show the Capabilities of the CH-53K. US Marine Corps photo.

This post has been updated to include an interview with Sikorsky on the effort to diagnose and solve the exhaust gas re-ingestion issue.

The Marine Corps and Sikorsky have resolved the engine integration issues that slowed down the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter program, the service announced today. Read More

Naval Integration Drive Shaping Acquisition of Marine Unmanned MUX Drone

Naval Integration Drive Shaping Acquisition of Marine Unmanned MUX Drone

The Bell V-247 tiltrotor is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that will combine the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft, and would provide long-endurance persistent expeditionary and surveillance and fires capabilities. Bell Image

As the Navy and Marines continue to highlight close naval integration, the interconnectedness of the two services has moved beyond concepts and doctrine and is spilling into acquisition decisions being made, a top Marine Corps general told USNI News. Read More