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Aviation News

Category: Navy

Largest ever Exercise Pitch Black to feature Italian aircraft carrier Cavour

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The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced that the upcoming Exercise Pitch Black, taking place from Jul. 12th to Aug. 2nd, 2024, will be the largest in its 43-year history. This significant international military exercise will see the participation of the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, along with its embarked AV-8B Harrier II and F-35B Lightning II fighter jets.

Cavour (550) - Civitavecchia harbour, Italy - June 2011
Stephen & Katherine from Burton on Trent, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Chinese student faces espionage charges for drone photos of Newport News Shipyard

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A Chinese graduate student studying at the University of Minnesota is facing unusual Espionage Act charges related to drone photography near a critical U.S. shipyard in Virginia.

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) pulls into Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) in Newport News, Virginia, May 6, 2021. The John C. Stennis is in Newport News Shipyard working alongside NNS, NAVSEA and contractors conducting RCOH as part of the mission to deliver the warship back in the fight, on time and on budget, to resume its duty of defending the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brennen Easter)

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Sea Tiger roars through sission system test campaign

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Airbus Helicopters’ MRFH (Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter) Sea Tiger has achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of an eight-week mission system test campaign conducted in Marignane from February to April 2024.


Photo: Airbus

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Australian Navy helicopter forced to take evasive action after encounter with Chinese J-10

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Australian officials have accused a Chinese military jet of releasing flares in close proximity to an Australian Navy helicopter on a UN mission in international waters. The incident, which occurred on May 4th in the Yellow Sea near South Korea, has been condemned as “unsafe” and “unacceptable” by the Australian government.

N48-018 in June 2021
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zenaida Roth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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FRCE restores A-4M

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The Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, recently completed a unique project: restoring a retired Douglas A-4M Skyhawk to its former glory for static display.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently restored a retired Douglas A-4M Skyhawk. The aircraft will be a historical display onboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, to honor local Marine Attack Squadron 223, who are known for being the last operational A-4 squadron on the East Coast. For many FRCE artisans, this was their first time working on an A-4, which made for a unique experience.

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