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Aviation News

Category: Marines

NAVAIR signs CH-53K LRIP Lot 4 contract for six rotorcraft

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Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has signed an approximately $550 million contract with Sikorsky Aircraft for six CH-53K helicopters under the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 4 contract.

The CH-53K King Stallion successfully plugs into a funnel-shaped drogue towed behind a KC-130J during aerial refueling wake testing over the Chesapeake Bay. Photo by Erik Hildebrandt.

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U.S. Marines are using Ospreys to deploy oceanographic sensors

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This year’s Trident Warrior 20 exercise saw the U.S. Marine Corp deploy four oceanographic sensors from its MV-22Bs for the first time.

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, deploy an oceanographic sensor at the Pacific Ocean, Calif., Oct. 13, 2020. 3rd MAW builds capability, strength, trust, and resiliency in our Marine-Air-Ground-Task Force by providing the aviation command element for I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya)

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VMA-311 to fly F-35C while VMA-214 will transition to F-35B from 2022

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VMA-311 will move to MCAS Miramar and fly the F-35C from spring of 2022, the unit conducted a sundown ceremony at MCAS Yuma on Oct. 15.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Keith Bucklew, commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 311, taxis down the flightline in an AV-8B Harrier II assigned to VMA-311, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during his last flight at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 14, 2020. The last flight is a significant event for every pilot and is celebrated by spraying the pilot and aircraft with water. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Julian Elliott-Drouin)

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