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Aerosonde takes flight from LCS, bolstering U.S. Navy’s ISR reach

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In a significant milestone for both Textron Systems and the U.S. Navy, the Aerosonde Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) completed its first operational flight from a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) on Jan. 29. Launching from the USS Savannah, the inaugural mission marks the start of Aerosonde’s operational deployment onboard the LCS platform, bolstering the Navy’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and expanding its reach across diverse maritime missions.

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Final class of maintainers for the USMC AV-8B Harrier II’s F-402 engine

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In a bittersweet ceremony at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, the curtain closed on an era as the final class of AV-8B Harrier II power plant mechanics graduated on Jan. 29. These five Marines, armed with 60 days of rigorous training on the Harrier’s jet engine and gas turbine starter, will now report to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, the last remaining Harrier unit in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The final class of maintainers for the AV-8B Harrier II’s F-402 engine stand for a group photo with the course instructors and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training leaders during a graduation ceremony of the last class of fixed-wing power plants mechanics, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Jan. 29, 2024. This class consisted of the last maintainers of the AV-8B Harrier II’s F-402 engine and marks one of the Marine Corps final steps to transitioning to the F-35 Lightning II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

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Slovakia considers acquisition of Patriot missile system

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Slovakia has expressed interest in purchasing the Patriot missile defense system from the United States, aiming to modernize its air defense capabilities. The announcement, made by Defense Minister Robert Kalinak on Jan. 28, comes amid ongoing discussions about defense strategies in the wake of the Ukraine war.

The sun rises over a 10th AAMDC Patriot missile launcher in Slovakia on July 27. Bravo Battery, 5-7 Air Defense Artillery is preparing for crew qualification tables and NATO readiness evaluations in the coming weeks while deployed to Slovakia providing increased air defense capacity and capability along NATO’s Eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Emily Park)

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Czechia signs agreement to buy 24 F-35As

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The Czech Republic and the United States officially cemented their partnership in the F-35 fighter jet program on Jan. 29, signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of 24 fifth-generation aircraft. This landmark deal marks a pivotal step in modernization for the Czech Air Force and signals a deepening of defense cooperation within Europe.


Photo: U.S. State Department
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