Aviation News
The U.S. Navy has qualified its final two MH-53E Sea Dragon pilots. Lieutenants Keven Humphreys and Jack Griffin are now fully fledged, bringing to a close a remarkable 42-year chapter in the history of this mighty helicopter.
Photos: U.S. Navy
Continue reading “The last Sea Dragon riders”
A Japanese court has ruled that the government must compensate residents living near the strategically important Atsugi Air Base for past noise pollution, but stopped short of halting flight operations. The Yokohama District Court handed down the ruling on Nov. 20, awarding approximately 5.9 billion yen (US$38 million) to roughly 8,700 plaintiffs who claimed that aircraft noise, particularly at night and in the early morning, had significantly impacted their lives.
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Yamaguchi Yoshiaki from Japan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “Residents near NAF Atsugi win compensation, lose bid to halt flights”
In a significant development for naval aviation, the F-35C Lightning II, the U.S. Navy’s latest carrier-borne fighter, has conducted its first combat strikes. This milestone marks the F-35C’s operational debut, showcasing its capabilities in a real-world conflict.
Continue reading “Black Knights strike first with F-35C”
In a significant leap for naval aviation, the Gray Eagle STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) unmanned aircraft successfully completed its first flight from a South Korean warship to a land base on 12 November 2024. The event, which took place off the coast of Pohang, South Korea, underscores the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern naval operations.
Continue reading “Gray Eagle STOL completes historic first flight from South Korean warship”
A recent BBC report shines a light on India’s expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the small island of Agalega, part of the Mauritius archipelago. Located approximately 1,100km (680 miles) north of Mauritius, Agalega was once an isolated community of 350 individuals sustained by fishing and coconut farming. Now, the island is rapidly transforming into a strategic hub, raising questions about India’s military ambitions and their implications for regional security.
NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “Islanders fear “Second Chagos” as India develops Agalega”