Month: February 2024

Hawaii Air National Guard wraps up Sentry Aloha 24-01 Exercise

Posted on February 5, 2024 by alert5

The Hawaii Air National Guard’s Sentry Aloha 24-01 exercise, a large-scale, joint training event, successfully concluded on Jan. 31 after two intensive weeks. Designed to enhance war fighting capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, the exercise saw participation from over 700 personnel and 40 aircraft across the Department of Defense (DoD) and Australia.

A Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 Raptor, U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler from VX-9 China Lake, U.S. Navy F-35 Lightning II from VX-9 Det Edwards, and the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail from the No. 2 Squadron fly in formation during Sentry Aloha 24-01 Jan. 30, 2024, Pacific Ocean, Hawaii. Sentry Aloha is an ongoing series of exercises hosted by the HIANG’s 154th Wing enabling tailored, cost effective and realistic combat training for Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force, and other Department of Defense services to provide U.S. warfighters with the skill sets necessary to perform homeland defense and overseas combat missions. (U.S. Navy Courtesy Photo)

Dover AFB tests drone program for autonomous C-5 M inspections

Posted on February 3, 2024February 2, 2024 by alert5

Team Dover is exploring innovative solutions to streamline and enhance aircraft maintenance with the recent trial of a drone program for autonomous inspections of C-5 M Super Galaxy aircraft.

Sophie Legore, Near Earth Autonomy test engineer, evaluates drone footage as it scans a C-5M Super Galaxy at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, January 23, 2024. Team Dover in cooperation with Boeing and Near Earth Autonomy tested a drone program for an autonomous C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft inspection project. Traditional inspections that require personnel to use a safety harness, maintenance stands, or vehicles can take hours to accomplish, but the drone can complete the same inspection in approximately 10 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

GA-ASI demonstrates launch of A2LE platform from MQ-20 Avenger UAS

Posted on February 2, 2024 by alert5

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully demonstrated the in-flight release of its Advanced Air-Launched Effects (A2LE) platform from an MQ-20 Avenger Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) on Nov. 28, 2023. This milestone marks a significant achievement in developing low-cost, modular small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) for military applications.

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U.S. State Department approves $3.99 Billion MQ-9B sale to India

Posted on February 2, 2024 by alert5

In a move solidifying the U.S.-India strategic partnership and bolstering its maritime surveillance capabilities, India has secured a potential $3.99 billion deal for 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian armed drones and a comprehensive support package. The State Department officially approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) on Feb. 1st, paving the way for negotiations with prime contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

210421-N-FC670-086 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 21, 2021) An MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft system flies over the Pacific Ocean during U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 21, April 21. UxS IBP 21 integrates manned and unmanned capabilities into challenging operational scenarios to generate warfighting advantages. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe)

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CIWS on board USS Gravely shot down cruise missile fired by Houthis

Posted on February 1, 2024February 1, 2024 by alert5

A cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels into the Red Sea on the night of Jan. 30th came within a nautical mile of the USS Gravely, marking the closest such attack on a U.S. warship to date, CNN reported. The missile was ultimately destroyed by the ship’s Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), marking the first time this defensive system has seen combat action on a warship.

Official Navy Page from United States of AmericaLt. Cmdr. Corey Barker/U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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