Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3 marked a significant achievement as they reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the MQ-9A Extended Range Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) Medium-Altitude, High-Endurance (MALE) aircraft. In a unit-led ceremony, VMU-3 commemorated their years of dedicated effort and introduced the operational MQ-9A to Marines, family members, and distinguished guests.
In response to a recent U.S. military report highlighting potential mechanical issues, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) has taken the proactive step of suspending flights of its MV-22 Osprey fleet. The report called for the replacement of certain parts to mitigate the risk of accidents, prompting the grounding of fourteen tilt-rotor transport aircraft at the GSDF’s Kisarazu camp in Chiba Prefecture since Jul. 22.
In a momentous event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, history was made as the 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, activated the Marine Corps’ inaugural long-range missile battery. The ceremony held on July 21 marked the birth of a new era for the Corps, as they embraced the capability of the Tomahawk cruise missile to bolster their long-range strike and sea denial capabilities.
Connecticut-based aerospace company Sikorsky is nearing the formal unveiling of the next generation Marine One presidential helicopter, the VH-92A Patriot. Built as a replacement for the current fleet of VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N White Hawk helicopters, the VH-92A is on track to take over the esteemed Marine One mission. With the White House expecting a total fleet of 21 VH-92A helicopters, including two test aircraft, this transition marks a significant security measure in presidential transport.
The Naval Postgraduate School’s Consortium for Additive Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in military logistics. In a historic moment, CAMRE successfully demonstrated in-flight 3D printing by producing a medical cast aboard a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.