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Aviation News

U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18s to receive upgraded LITENING targeting pods

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Northrop Grumman has been tapped to provide a significant upgrade to the U.S. Marine Corps’ F/A-18 fleet, enhancing the aircraft’s targeting capabilities with its Advanced Tactical Data Links (ATDL) technology integrated into the LITENING targeting pods. This move marks a major leap forward in data transfer speeds, equipping Marine aviators with the ability to make decisions more swiftly and effectively in the heat of battle.

Litening Pod on FA-18
US Govermen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Valkyrie demonstrates kill chain closure at Emerald Flag

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For the first time in a large-force exercise, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) successfully demonstrated cooperative kill chain closure between crewed and uncrewed strike platforms, featuring Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie. The attritable, runway-independent UAV, designed to support manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations, was a key participant in Emerald Flag 2024. The Valkyrie was developed under the Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio (PAACK-P) program.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles

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Australian Army to choose between HIMARS or StrikeMaster

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In a move reflecting the evolving strategic environment, the Australian Army is embarking on a crucial procurement process to strengthen its long-range strike capabilities, ABC news reports. Project LAND 8113 phase two will see the army evaluate two prominent contenders: the indigenously developed StrikeMaster, offering a cost-effective and sovereign solution, and the American HIMARS, boasting proven combat effectiveness but carrying a higher price tag and reliance on U.S. technology. This decision will shape the future of the Australian Army’s long-range firepower and influence the nation’s broader defence industry.


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U.S. Army doubles down on Chinook Block II orders

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The U.S. Army is pressing ahead with modernising its fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters, with recent contract awards to Boeing for the production of new Block II Chinooks. This latest order underscores the Army’s commitment to upgrading its heavy-lift capabilities for future multi-domain operations.

A Double-rotor CH-47 Chinook from B Co “Big Windy,” 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion spins up for an evening training flight under a double rainbow just after the storm clears on Oct. 6 at Katterbach Army Airfield. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

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Russian submarine spotted in Philippine waters prompts calls for enhanced anti-submarine capabilities

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On Nov. 28, a shadow emerged from the depths of the South China Sea, not far from the shores of the Philippines. It was the Russian Kilo-class submarine RS Ufa, an underwater vessel nicknamed the “Black Hole” by the US Navy for its stealth capabilities, surfacing within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around 80 nautical miles west of Cape Calavite in Occidental Mindoro. The Philippine Navy, alerted to the submarine’s presence by their own intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, quickly scrambled the warship BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and four aircraft to monitor the situation.


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