USS John F. Kennedy’s final voyage

A chapter in naval history is closing as the former U.S. Navy supercarrier, the decommissioned USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), embarks on its last voyage, heading south from Philadelphia to Brownsville, Texas, where it will be dismantled. This marks the end of an era for the last conventionally powered American aircraft carrier, a vessel that served the fleet for nearly four decades. As this iconic ship sails toward its final destination, the service prepares to welcome its technologically advanced namesake, the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), a Ford-class carrier poised to redefine naval aviation.

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Rheinmetall’s Skynex secures landmark deal in Italy

The Italian Army has committed to acquiring the Rheinmetall Skynex system. The initial contract, a €73 million deal, is for a single system, but it includes an option for three more, potentially ballooning the total to nearly €280 million. This order makes Italy the first NATO member to adopt Rheinmetall’s Skynex technology, notably including the 35mm Revolver Gun Mk3


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Hanwha Investment & Securities predicts KAI to secure new orders for FA-50 in Southeast Asia this year

Hanwha Investment & Securities has maintained a ‘buy’ rating and a target price of ₩69,000 for Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), despite anticipating a significant downturn in the company’s fourth-quarter performance. The investment firm’s positive outlook is underpinned by expectations of new export contracts in Southeast Asia and the Middle East during the first half of the year, and an overall improvement in KAI’s performance this year.

One of the PAF FA50s that made a debut appearance at the Mindil Beach Flypast in Darwin, Australia
Philippine Air Force (PAF), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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The absence of the Z-20 in Tibet earthquake relief efforts

The recent earthquake in Dingri County, Tibet, has prompted discussion regarding the absence of the Chinese-made Z-20 helicopter in relief efforts, according to Singapore Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao. While the Z-20 is promoted as a multi-functional helicopter designed for high-altitude environments like the Tibetan Plateau, it has not been reported in official Chinese media coverage of the disaster response. This absence is particularly notable given the Chinese military’s emphasis on promoting domestically produced equipment.

Z-20KA helihoisting vehicle at CCAS2023 (20230724130019)
N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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C-17 microvanes poised for fleet-wide rollout

After years of testing and refinement, the U.S. Air Force’s microvane program is nearing full implementation across it’s C-17 fleet. These small, strategically placed devices are set to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase fuel efficiency by redirecting airflow around the aircraft’s fuselage, proving that even the most mature aircraft designs can be enhanced.

Photo: SSgt Thaxton

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