Latest news with #F-35C
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Photos Show US Aircraft Carrier Preparing for Patrol on Pacific Front Line
The United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington-homeported in Japan-continues its preparations for an upcoming patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Lieutenant Commander Mark Langford, the George Washington's public affairs officer, told Newsweek that the aircraft carrier was "focused on ensuring that the U.S. military remains the world's most combat-credible fighting force capable of maintaining peace through strength." The George Washington is one of the American naval vessels forward-deployed in Japan-a major treaty ally of the U.S. in Northeast Asia. It returned to its home port at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo in November following 2,117 days of maintenance in Virginia. The 100,000-ton warship left Yokosuka naval base earlier this week, while its naval aviators were conducting field carrier landing practice on a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean, simulating landings on the George Washington's flight deck to obtain landing qualifications. While the George Washington and its aviation unit prepared for patrol, the Chinese navy-the world's largest by hull count, with more than 370 vessels-deployed the aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong to the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, respectively. The George Washington conducted consolidated cargo and fueling-at-sea operations with the chartered tanker Badlands Trader on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in waters south of Yokosuka, according to photos released by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command. The aircraft carrier was underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of operations in support of "a free and open Indo-Pacific," Langford said. Both the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are the Seventh Fleet's operating area. Official photos also show that the Carrier Air Wing 5-attached to the George Washington-conducted field carrier landing practice at Iwo To, a Japanese island 750 miles south of Tokyo. The training began on May 19 and is scheduled to end on Saturday. Participating carrier-based fixed-wing aircraft included the F-35C and F/A-18E/F fighter jets, the EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, and the E-2D airborne command and control aircraft. Pilots performed repetitive "touch and go" landings during the training on the small island. "[This is the training] that is required for Air Wing 5 air crews to get ready to go to sea," said Captain William Fallon, the assistant chief of staff for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan, adding that the island provided a realistic practice environment. The George Washington's carrier air wing is also known as the "air wing of the future," said Langford, referring to the inclusion of the fifth-generation F-35C fighter aircraft, which features "advanced stealth technology" and provides "unmatched lethality and survivability." The U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan said on Friday: "[Field carrier landing practice] is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region." The U.S. Navy said of the USS George Washington's return to Japan: "George Washington is Seventh Fleet's premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and operates alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet." It was not immediately clear when the George Washington would begin its first patrol after returning to Japan seven months ago. It also remains to be seen whether it will conduct joint operations with its sister ship, the USS Nimitz, which is in the South China Sea. Related Articles American Drone Company Claims Major Breakthrough Over Chinese CompetitorsChinese Bombers Seen in South China Sea Amid US Aircraft Carrier PatrolU.S. Ally Looks to Buy Chinese J-35 Stealth JetsU.S. Responds to Gaza Aid Mission's Chaotic Start 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Aircraft Carrier Preparing for Patrol on Pacific Front Line
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington—homeported in Japan—continues its preparations for an upcoming patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Lieutenant Commander Mark Langford, the George Washington's public affairs officer, told Newsweek that the aircraft carrier was "focused on ensuring that the U.S. military remains the world's most combat-credible fighting force capable of maintaining peace through strength." Why It Matters The George Washington is one of the American naval vessels forward-deployed in Japan—a major treaty ally of the U.S. in Northeast Asia. It returned to its home port at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo in November following 2,117 days of maintenance in Virginia. The 100,000-ton warship left Yokosuka naval base earlier this week, while its naval aviators were conducting field carrier landing practice on a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean, simulating landings on the George Washington's flight deck to obtain landing qualifications. A Japanese media representative capturing a United States Navy F-35C fighter jet as it conducted a "touch and go" during field carrier landing practice at Iwo To in Japan on May 25. A Japanese media representative capturing a United States Navy F-35C fighter jet as it conducted a "touch and go" during field carrier landing practice at Iwo To in Japan on May 25. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dyxan K. Williams/U.S. Navy While the George Washington and its aviation unit prepared for patrol, the Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count, with more than 370 vessels—deployed the aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong to the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, respectively. What To Know The George Washington conducted consolidated cargo and fueling-at-sea operations with the chartered tanker Badlands Trader on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in waters south of Yokosuka, according to photos released by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command. Check out these images. @MSCSealift chartered ship Motor Tanker Badlands Trader (T-AOT 5582) conducted consolidated cargo operations (CONSOL) with @GW_CVN73 May 28 at sea south of Yokosuka, Japan. 🚢⛽💪 — U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (@MSCSealift) May 29, 2025 The aircraft carrier was underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of operations in support of "a free and open Indo-Pacific," Langford said. Both the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are the Seventh Fleet's operating area. Official photos also show that the Carrier Air Wing 5—attached to the George Washington—conducted field carrier landing practice at Iwo To, a Japanese island 750 miles south of Tokyo. The training began on May 19 and is scheduled to end on Saturday. Participating carrier-based fixed-wing aircraft included the F-35C and F/A-18E/F fighter jets, the EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, and the E-2D airborne command and control aircraft. Pilots performed repetitive "touch and go" landings during the training on the small island. "[This is the training] that is required for Air Wing 5 air crews to get ready to go to sea," said Captain William Fallon, the assistant chief of staff for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan, adding that the island provided a realistic practice environment. The George Washington's carrier air wing is also known as the "air wing of the future," said Langford, referring to the inclusion of the fifth-generation F-35C fighter aircraft, which features "advanced stealth technology" and provides "unmatched lethality and survivability." What People Are Saying The U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan said on Friday: "[Field carrier landing practice] is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region." The U.S. Navy said of the USS George Washington's return to Japan: "George Washington is Seventh Fleet's premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and operates alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet." What Happens Next It was not immediately clear when the George Washington would begin its first patrol after returning to Japan seven months ago. It also remains to be seen whether it will conduct joint operations with its sister ship, the USS Nimitz, which is in the South China Sea.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jones Beach Air Show takes over Long Island during Memorial Day weekend
JONES BEACH, N.Y. (PIX11) – Military planes are taking to the skies on Sunday for the final day of the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach. The first event in the show was held on Saturday, with military pilots performing jaw-dropping demonstrations as they honored the legacies of U.S. troops. More Local News Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's performances: The performances start at 10 a.m. and wrap up around 3 p.m. The best place to watch the show is along the Jones Beach shoreline, whether on the beach or on a boat. Organizers warned it's best to get to the air show as early as possible. It was best for attendees to get to Jones Beach before 8 a.m. Admission to the show itself is free, although you will have to pay $10 for parking. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, U.S. Navy F-35C Tac Demonstration Team, the U.S. Coast Guard and the 106th Rescue Wing NY Air National Guard HC – 130 / HH 60 Demonstration Team are featured guests in the show, according to the organizer's website. There will also be civilian performances on Sunday, featuring Warbirds, the American Airpower Museum, David Windmiller, SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams, Skytypers and Mike Goulian. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
F-47 Now Has An Officially Stated Combat Radius Of 1,000+ Nautical Miles
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin has posted an infographic on his X account that compares his service's 4th, 5th, and future 6th generation fighters, as well as the USAF's forthcoming Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) 'fighter drones.' Albeit very generalized in nature, the graphic provides us with our first official metrics for some of these aircraft, including stating Boeing's F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter will possess a combat radius of '1,000+' nautical miles. Our @usairforce will continue to be the world's best example of speed, agility, and lethality. Modernization means fielding a collection of assets that provide unique dilemmas for adversaries—matching capabilities to threats—while keeping us on the right side of the cost curve. — General David Allvin (@OfficialCSAF) May 13, 2025 What should be the required range and general performance of the Next Generation Air Dominance manned tactical jet (now officially the F-47) is a very important and hot-button topic. Being able to pierce deeply into an enemy's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) bubble is an absolutely essential feature of the upcoming 6th generation fighter from Boeing. There are strong arguments for putting an absolute premium on range and overall endurance over other performance goals, while a more balanced approach, more akin to a traditional fighter, is also another position being taken by some. We won't dive back into all this in this piece, but while a combat radius of 1,000+ nautical miles is a significant improvement over other fighters currently in the inventory, it isn't as drastic as some may think is necessary for confronting advanced enemy air defenses for many decades to come. Still, at least we are getting clearer indications as to what to expect from the F-47. The 1,000+ nautical mile figure lines up loosely with the Navy's own NGAD fighter initiative, or F/A-XX, which was recently stated as having roughly 25% more range than the service's current fighters. Of the Navy's current tactical jet fleets, the F-35C offers better range than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. A 25% increase over F-35C would put F/A-XX's combat radius at roughly 850 nautical miles or so. The closer to 50% additional range over existing fighters for the F-47 would make some sense if the basic performance goals were broadly similar to the Navy's, but one had to operate from a carrier and the other had the advantage of flying from fixed airfields. We also don't know what exactly the '+' represents in the F-47 range figure. Is this 50 extra nautical miles or 250 extra nautical miles? It's also important to remember that with all public releases surrounding the F-47, from its core configuration to metrics like these, we have to assume they have been carefully tailored as to not give too much away to adversary intelligence. Regardless, these are the official figures we now have in writing. The graphic also puts the F-47's speed at over Mach 2, which aligns with President Donald Trump's comments during the F-47 contract award announcement and naming presser. Exactly how fast it will be able to cruise without afterburner (supercruise) and at what level of efficiency is far more important than its top speed, regardless. Allvin's posting also states the F-47 program of record will include 185 aircraft, at least as it's planned at this time. This fits with years of statements from former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall as to how many NGAD manned jets the USAF would likely acquire. With what he laid out as an extreme price tag of upwards of three times more expensive than current fighters in production, around 200 would likely be built. It was also originally envisioned that the NGAD manned tactical jet would replace the F-22 directly. How accurate that remains today isn't clear as the F-22's out-of-service date has become more murky, as has its relation to being replaced with the F-47. But based on the 185 number, which matches the inventory of the F-22 in the same graphic, a direct replacement strategy seems to remain in play at least as a possibility. Still, based on recent USAF officials' statements, the F-47's final force structure design seems to remain a work in progress. The F-47 will feature 'Stealth ++' as opposed to the F-22's 'Stealth +' and the F-35's 'Stealth,' according to the graphic. This really isn't a new revelation, as the NGAD manned tactical jet was always envisioned as being a very low-observable aircraft, likely featuring all-aspect 'broadband,' all-aspect stealth against radar, and significantly reduced infrared signature. The inclusion of canards in the design, at least in the concept art we have been shown, seems somewhat antithetical to this goal. You can read more about this puzzling addition here. But, as we have said repeatedly since the first renderings of the F-47 were released, we don't know what has been included for counter-intelligence purposes, and we should always keep in mind that the actual aircraft may end up looking notably different — maybe even ending up without the canards. Finally, the USAF graphic states the F-47 would become operational between 2025 and 2029. This is very unlikely and this date range is probably meant to indicate the first flight of the F-47 and some of its developmental testing. We see the same date range for YQF-42A and/or YQF-44A CCAs. 'The F-47 will fly during this Administration,' a USAF official told TWZ when asked for further clarification. Move on to the aforementioned CCAs, the graphic shows CCA procurement as over 1,000 units. As we understand it, that would not necessarily be QF-42As or QF-44As, but across multiple CCA increments with one or both of those aircraft being procured in numbers between 100 and 150 units for the first CCA increment. Increment 2, which will likely be a very different airframe, is spinning up to be competed next. Still, the USAF could end up buying many more Increment 1 CCAs, beyond the 100-150 number, as the overall program evolves. The 700-mile combat radius for CCA is very important to note. We have not seen a range figure like this assigned to CCA before. Like the F-47's stated range, this is on the lower side of what some may think is necessary. This would be especially so as it does not align directly with what we now know about the F-47's own range. The F-47 will be one of the primary control platforms for CCAs. Keeping the crewed jets on station longer to control multiple waves of CCAs is always a possibility. And, once again, they are probably referring just to the two CCA designs currently being developed for testing. Follow-on CCA increments could have less or far more range. The range figure also fits with the indications we were seeing emerge in the program as it matured, with higher-performance and other attributes being emphasized over long-range. You can read our report on this here. As for speed, both the YQF-42A and YQF-44A are widely believed to be generally subsonic by design. Anduril's YQF-44A was adapted from Blue Force Technologies' Fury aggressor drone. That design was claimed to be capable of supersonic flight for limited maneuvers, but it is possible that more sustained supersonic operation could be acquired with propulsion changes. It isn't clear if such an enhancement was pursued in the final CCA design. Once again, follow-on CCAs could have less or more kinematic performance based on evolving requirements. Finally, the graphic notes stealth as an attribute for both types. Both aircraft have some low-observable (stealthy) features, to varying degrees, especially optimized from the critical forward aspects, but they are not very low-observable platforms. Still, some degree of stealth technology balanced against cost and performance will provide a degree of enhanced survivability. CCA stealth requirements could and probably will change drastically in future iterations. So there you have it, our first official specifications on these platforms from the U.S. Air Force. Although the metrics are very limited and generalized, and we should not read too much definitively into them, they give us a bit clearer idea of the design objectives of both the F-47 and Increment 1 CCAs. Contact the author: Tyler@
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Marine Aviator Describes Historic F-35 Combat Sortie in Mission Against Yemen's Houthis
After Maj. Zachary Sessa launched his F-35C Lightning II's payload at Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen last year, the historical significance of the flight dawned on him. Nearly a year ago, Sessa deployed with the Marine Corps' first F-35C unit aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln bound for the Pacific. But with less than a month out of port, the Pentagon ordered the carrier strike group to the Middle East as Iran-backed Houthis continued to attack shipping vessels in the region. The physical redirection also constituted a mental one for the troops aboard the strike group. Having spent their pre-deployment expecting to train in the Pacific amid escalating tensions with China in the region, air-to-surface combat near contested Middle Eastern waterways quickly settled in as the new reality as they steamed westward. Read Next: Tricare West Region Patients Get Another Extension on Specialty Care Authorizations By early November, just four months after the group left the West Coast, Sessa was in the air leading the first combat missions the Marine Corps' stealth fighter had ever participated in -- missions that would lead to top aviation awards for him and his squadron. Sessa, 33, of Butler, Pennsylvania, comes from a long line of aviators, with his father having flown the A-7D Corsair for the Air National Guard and his grandfather, a Marine veteran, flew commercial aircraft. He reflected on the November combat sorties in an interview with last week, not initially expecting to complete them when he first left port from California last summer. As the Marine Corps' first F-35C weapons and tactics instructor, or WTI, Sessa found himself as a keystone for the mission, helping train 15 critical aviation personnel over the course of a year. But soon after they left San Diego's port in July, Sessa was on the Lincoln preparing to launch under cover of the dark night. He was moving around the tight flight deck, "praying that everyone's aircraft starts up properly" and connecting with his wingman as they readied their machines headed for Houthi territory and a notch in aviation history. It started out feeling like any other training mission, he said, "but there's obviously a transition at a certain point where it's like, 'OK, we're executing real-world combat operations now; there's no room for errors at this point.'" The Houthis have used missiles and drones to attack shipping vessels in areas such as the Red Sea. The group has shot down upward of a dozen or more U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones since Hamas' deadly surprise attack on Israel in 2023, which plunged the region into chaos and emboldened the Yemen-based Houthis. While Sessa did not specify the threats he might encounter on the sortie, he said accompanying intelligence departments briefed him on the number and locations of said threats and was confident in those assessments amid the "unknowns" common to any combat flight. He remembered saying: "We understand what the threats are, we have a solid plan to mitigate it, and we can meet mission success within the exceptional level of risks that we've been given." Those elements, as well as the safety of his wingman, were on his mind as he launched into the dark sky, his ordnance bound for Yemen where Houthi weapon storage facilities were and continue to be a common target for American military operating in U.S. Central Command. After he released his payload, he saw his target explode. He saw his wingman's target explode. It was then that he allowed himself a "very fleeting moment" of self-reflection, knowing the mission was not complete until the aircraft was back on deck. "This is a pretty significant piece of Marine Corps history that we're executing right now. And we made it here. So let's get the job done. Let's get our aircraft back to the ship safely," he remembered thinking. "This is pretty surreal," he continued. "We're so far away from home and just doing something that most people probably don't even know is going on. Most Americans don't know what's going on." Back on deck, there was no "Top Gun"-level fanfare. For the most part, it was business as usual: post-mission maintenance, chow, "tape review" of the targeting. But there was indeed a buzz as the other mission commander congratulated Sessa and ordnance Marines rushed excitedly to open the weapon bay doors to see whether the munitions they had loaded onto the jet were still there -- they weren't. The unit redeployed on Dec. 14 after five months at sea and before President Donald Trump's administration launched an "intense and sustained" targeting campaign against the Houthis in March of this year under codename Operation Rough Rider. Since then, the scope and scale of this new, ramped-up operation has been unclear, with U.S. Central Command offering rare details throughout and often citing "operational security." Sessa said his squadron, Fighter Attack Squadron 314 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California -- also known as "the Black Knights" -- nominated him during the deployment for the Alfred A. Cunningham Award, named after the service's first aviator and is a recognition for the Marine Aviator of the Year, the service said in late April. He will be honored in a ceremony in Dallas, Texas, this month and said: "I would not have received this award had we not had the squadron that we did, the Marines that we did, the fellow aviators that we did." The Black Knights were named Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year as well. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Davis, who served as the commanding officer of VMFA-314 until March, said in an emailed statement that Sessa's participation in the sorties was historic. "Maj. Sessa's integral role in unprecedented combat strikes, and his contribution to mission success is a testament to his leadership, experience, and proficiency, forever etched in Black Knight history," he said. Related: Marine Corps Drone Team Competitions Are Coming to a Unit Near You Soon
