Alert 5

Aviation News

Month: January 2022

AP-12, Lockheed’s secret attempt to make the A-12 a satellite launcher

Posted on by alert5

Another wonderful article from The Space Review, this piece talks about Lockheed’s proposal to use the A-12 as a satellite launcher.

A12-flying
U.S.Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “AP-12, Lockheed’s secret attempt to make the A-12 a satellite launcher”

MQ-8C operating in U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations

Posted on by alert5

The MQ-8C is now in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, which spans from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border, according to photos released by the sailing branch.

211222-N-FA490-1213 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 22, 2021) An MQ-8C Fire Scout attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6). HSC-23 and Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, are on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf)

Continue reading “MQ-8C operating in U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations”

USMC deploying F-35C to the Indo-Pacific for the first time

Posted on by alert5

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway for a patrol of the Indo-Pacific and this deployment notes a number of firsts.

SAN DIEGO (Jan. 3, 2022) – Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits San Diego bay for a regularly-scheduled deployment. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group consists of Carrier Strike Group 3, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron 21, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Spruance (DDG 111). Abraham Lincoln’s embarked air wing consists of the “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71.

U.S. Navy/MC1 Kelby Sanders
Continue reading “USMC deploying F-35C to the Indo-Pacific for the first time”