Aviation News
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”
The sun dipped low over the Arizona desert as two E-2C Hawkeyes, their wings casting long shadows across the tarmac, made its final approaches. The aircraft, belonging to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123, touched down gently at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the last of their kind to leave the squadron’s care. This event marks the end of an era for VAW-123 and the beginning of its full transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
Continue reading “VAW-123 retires E-2C Hawkeye, embraces E-2D Advanced Hawkeye era”
The world-renowned Exocet anti-ship missile family reached a new milestone with the 4,000th unit rolling off the production line at MBDA’s facility in the Centre region of France. The landmark missile was recently handed over to the French Navy, marking a significant achievement for both MBDA and the French armed forces.
Photo: MBDA
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In a historic first, the United States Navy successfully launched a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from a destroyer during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. This significant event marks a key advancement in the Navy’s capabilities. While the NSM has been integrated onto several Littoral Combat Ships, this firing represents a crucial expansion of the weapon system.
Continue reading “A first for the Burkes: Fitzgerald launches NSM”