All United States Navy articles
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NewsGeneral Atomics will compete Gambit variant in US Navy uncrewed fighter programme
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has confirmed its selection for the US Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, revealing plans for a carrier-capable autonomous fighter based on its Gambit design family.
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AnalysisUS Navy exploring seawater-to-jet fuel conversion technology
The US Navy is funding research into a process for converting seawater into jet fuel, awarding a $9.4 million contract to Sea Dragon Energy to develop shipboard fuel production systems that could in theory sustain carrier strike group operations indefinitely.
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AnalysisEngine makers accelerate plans for new class of small turbofans targeting autonomous fighters
Pratt & Whitney, GE Aerospace and Honeywell are advancing small turbofan designs as the Pentagon emphasises rapidly fielding low-cost, autonomous fighter jets known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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NewsLockheed Martin secures contract for 296 F-35 fighters
Lockheed Martin has secured a $12.5 billion contract modification covering 296 F-35 Lightning II fighters across lots 18 and 19, with deliveries to US and international customers beginning in 2026.
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NewsSikorsky lands nearly $11bn Pentagon order for up to 99 CH-53K helicopters
Rotorcraft manufacturer Sikorsky has received a nearly $11 billion Pentagon contract covering deliveries of the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter across multiple years. The $10.9 billion deal announced on 26 September by US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) covers up to 99 of the three-engined King Stallion helicopters for the US Marine ...
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NewsAnduril plans to use new aircraft design for US Navy uncrewed fighter programme
Defence start-up Anduril Industries plans to develop a completely new uncrewed aircraft for the US Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, rather than adapting its existing Fury design for carrier operations.
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In depthExclusive: Textron shows off new Beechcraft M-346N trainer in first US public flight
Textron Aviation has conducted the first public demonstration flight of its Beechcraft M-346N military trainer in North America, as the US Navy prepares to launch its competitive selection process for a new jet trainer under the Undergraduate Jet Training System programme.
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In depthChinese military engines ‘catching up’ to Western rivals
Indigenous Chinese turbofan engines are narrowing the performance gap with Western powerplants but still lag behind in reliability and capability, according to a senior GE Aerospace executive.
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NewsFirst US Navy E-130J Phoenix II command aircraft rolls out
The first airframe for the US Navy’s new E-130J Phoenix II strategic airborne command post has rolled off the production line, marking a milestone in the $3.5 billion TACAMO modernisation programme.
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NewsUS Navy awards contracts for carrier-based uncrewed fighter jets
The US Navy has initiated development of carrier-capable uncrewed combat aircraft, awarding preliminary contracts to four manufacturers including Boeing and Anduril Industries.
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NewsVenezuelan fighters make low pass over US Navy destroyer
Two Venezuelan F-16 fighters conducted an aggressive low-altitude flyby of a US Navy destroyer operating in international waters in the Caribbean Sea, escalating tension between Washington and Caracas.
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AnalysisUS Navy air boss outlines vision for carrier-based sixth-generation fighter
Although its future remains a subject of budgetary debate in Washington, the US Navy’s top aviator says the service still plans to field a purpose-built carrier-based sixth-generation jet to replace its fourth-generation strike fighters.
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NewsUS Navy to fly MQ-25 from aircraft carrier in 2026
Deployment of the autonomous tanker will free up Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from acting as ad hoc refuellers, increasing the combat power of the navy’s carrier air wings.
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NewsSierra Nevada jumps into US Navy trainer replacement effort
Best known as a military systems integrator, Sierra Nevada has unveiled what it calls a purpose-built, clean-sheet design aircraft to compete for the US Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System.
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In depthAustralia nears completion of MQ-4C maritime patrol fleet
After delivering the second and third examples, Northrop Grumman is working on a fourth MQ-4C Triton for Australia, which will complete Canberra’s fleet of the long-range, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft.
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NewsUK F-35B makes historic landing on Japanese carrier Kaga
A Royal Navy F-35B has made the first landing of a UK-operated stealth fighter on a Japanese vessel during a major trilateral carrier exercise in the Western Pacific.
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NewsUS Navy names new E-130J TACAMO aircraft ‘Phoenix II’
Based on the C-130J transport, the Phoenix II will replace the jet-powered E-6B Mercury fleet that allows for remote command of the US Navy’s submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles.
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NewsTextron unveils Leonardo M-346 variant for US Navy trainer bid
Textron will offer a US-made version of the Italian light jet under the designation Beechcraft M-346N.
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NewsTrump Administration ‘all in’ on F-47 but plans minimal funding for F/A-XX naval fighter
A senior Pentagon official tells FlightGlobal the Trump Administration will focus resources on developing a sixth-generation fighter on the US Air Force’s F-47 programme, with the US Navy’s new carrier-based equivalent in a holding pattern.
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NewsUS Navy MH-60Rs get serious about counter-UAS mission
The Sikorsky MH-60R naval warfare helicopter has emerged as a key platform for defending US Navy warships from small, cheap unmanned air systems.