A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has found that the Department of Defense (DOD) is yet to achieve widespread use of the “M-code” GPS technology due to limitations in satellite equipment to accommodate the jam-resistant capability. GAO said Tuesday that the DOD has seen delays in installing receiver equipment for satellites that will enable them to broadcast M-code signals.
Read More »Boeing, US Navy Test Super Hornet Capabilities; Thom Breckenridge Quoted
Boeing and the U.S. Navy have recently tested the F/A-18 Super Hornet capabilities, proving that the aircraft can operate from a “ski jump” ramp. “The first successful and safe launch of the F/A-18 Super Hornet from a ski jump begins the validation process to operate effectively from Indian Navy aircraft carriers,” said Ankur Kanaglekar, India Fighter Sales lead for Boeing.
Read More »Australia to Reservice Retired Aircraft for USAF Training
The Australian government will prepare decommissioned F/A-18 Classic Hornet aircraft over a maximum of four years for U.S. Air Force training services. Australia's defense department said Sunday it will reservice 46 retired F/A-18 units that Air USA, an air combat training provider, will buy and use to deliver services.
Read More »Maj. Gen. John Jansen Nominated to Serve as Marine Corps’ Top Budget Officer
Maj. Gen John Jansen, commandant of the National Defense University’s Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, has been nominated to be deputy commandant for programs and resources at the U.S. Marine Corps. President Trump also endorsed Jansen’s appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, the Defense …
Read More »Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force to Prioritize Funding for Combat Aircraft Production, Sustainment
Senior officials at the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force have informed House Armed Services Committee members of the service branches’ programs to buy combat aircraft and weapons systems, DoD News reported Friday. Vice Adm. Paul Grosklags, commander of Naval Air Systems Command, said at an HASC hearing Friday the Marine …
Read More »Navy Supply Corps’ Rear Adm. Kevin Jones named next DLA Distribution commander
Rear Adm. Kevin Jones, a member of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps and head of the Office of Special Projects in Washington, D.C., has been named the next commander of the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution. The Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations announced Jones’ new assignment that …
Read More »Navy Demos Harpoon Block II+ Missile System
The U.S. Navy has tested the Harpoon Block II+ missile’s compatibility with the F/A-18 aircraft’s updated software. The compatibility test with the System Configuration Set H12E update was held Monday at Point Mugu Sea Test Range, California, the Naval Air System Command said Wednesday. “Harpoon Block II+ expands on a legacy of over 40 years of …
Read More »Navy Rear Adm. James Bynum Named OPNAV Assessment Division Director
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. James Bynum, former chief of Naval Air Training, has been appointed as director of the assessment division (N81) within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, the Defense Department reported Wednesday. Bynum served as an F/A-18 pilot and tallied more than 4,500 hours onboard tactical …
Read More »Senate Armed Services Panel OKs $700B Defense Budget for Fiscal 2018
The Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday cleared through a unanimous vote a bill that would allocate $640 billion in defense base budget and $60 billion in overseas contingency operations funds for fiscal 2018, The Hill reported Wednesday. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), chairman of the Senate committee, said the 2018 National …
Read More »Capt. John Dougherty Named Navy Precision Strike Weapons Program Manager
Capt. John Dougherty, formerly class desk officer for the U.S. Navy‘s unmanned carrier aviation program office, has taken a new role as manager of the service branch’s precision strike weapons program office. The Navy said Thursday that Dougherty will oversee 30 programs that cost more than $4.7 billion combined, including the Naval Air Systems …
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