U.S. Navy evaluates General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGuardian at Whidbey Island
The U.S. Navy evaluated General Atomics' MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft system at Whidbey Island, Washington, according to a company statement. SeaGuardian is the maritime variant of the MQ-9, optimized for long-endurance surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. The Navy is assessing the platform as a potential workhorse for maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions.
U.S. Navy accepts first C-130J-30 for conversion into E-130J Phoenix II nuclear command aircraft
Lockheed Martin delivered the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the U.S. Navy for conversion into the E-130J Phoenix II, which will assume the Take Charge And Move Out airborne nuclear communications mission from the aging E-6B Mercury fleet. The turboprop platform replaces the jet-powered E-6, a Boeing 707 derivative. The Navy plans a fleet of E-130Js to maintain constant radio contact with ballistic missile submarines.
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U.S. Navy flies and lands drone on pitching ship without GPS or pilot using onboard vision
The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division flew a drone through mission tasks and landed it autonomously on a moving ship at sea with GPS jammed, using only the aircraft's cameras, motion sensors and software. No value, platform type or timeline details were provided beyond the October 15 announcement.
U.S. Navy awards HII $56 million for AUKUS submarine design and engineering support
The U.S. Navy awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding a $56.2 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering and technical support on nuclear-powered submarines for AUKUS partners Australia and the United Kingdom. Foreign partner funds cover the full cost.
Huntington Ingalls IndustriesU.S. NavyUnited StatesAustraliaUnited Kingdom Defence Blog →Naval Technology →
F-35C completes first arrested landing aboard Ford-class carrier USS John F. Kennedy
An F-35C Lightning II conducted the first arrested landing on the pre-commissioning USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time the carrier variant has operated from a Ford-class aircraft carrier. The milestone follows years of technical challenges integrating the F-35C with Ford-class systems. The Navy released photos of the landing and subsequent takeoff trials in the Atlantic.
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