Tom Kaminski
US Army to redesign CABs to fight near-peer adversaries
The US Army formally unveiled its plan for another restructuring of its aviation force structure on April 24, as Tom Kaminski explains.
VRM-40 welcomes first CMV-22B to Norfolk
The first US Navy-operated CMV-22B Osprey carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft for the US Atlantic Fleet arrived at Naval Station Norfolk’s Chambers Field in Virginia on April 5.
SNC to deliver USAF’s next ‘Doomsday Plane’
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has been selected to develop the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) platform that will ultimately replace the USAF’s ageing fleet of four E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) aircraft.
USAF revives Cold War designation for ‘Blue Foxes’
In a surprise move, the 354th Fighter Wing’s 18th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS) ‘Blue Foxes’ – a part of the USAF’s Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) command – was redesignated as the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Eielson AFB, Alaska, on February 2.
The return of B-1B ‘Lancelot’
The USAF’s 7th Bomb Wing (BW) – a component of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) – at Dyess AFB is preparing to receive a replacement for B-1B Lancer (85-0089/‘DY’), which was severely damaged after suffering a catastrophic engine fire at the Texan base in April 2022, writes Tom Kaminski.
USAF scales back Grey Wolf acquisition plans
The USAF has scaled back its fielding plans for the MH-139A Grey Wolf multi-mission helicopter, reducing the size of the planned fleet by nearly 50%
Pentagon unveils $850bn FY25 budget request and eyes further aircraft retirements
Released on March 11, the $849.8bn FY25 President’s Budget for the US Department of Defense (DOD) represents an increase of $7.8bn in spending when compared to the FY24 base request. The $167.6bn procurement budget includes $61.2bn for new military aircraft and related systems
Canada axes CT-155 Hawk fleet as it reevaluates pilot training programme
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is making major changes to its flight training programme in preparation for the frontline fighter force’s upcoming transition from the CF-188A/B Hornet to the F-35A Lightning II
Maryland ANG to lose flying mission after upcoming A-10C departure
When its 21-strong fleet of A-10C Thunderbolt II close air support/ground attack aircraft are retired from use, the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Wing will transition to a new cyber-based mission. Announced on March 7, the move will leave the Maryland ANG without a flying mission
US Army axes FARA and UH-60V upgrade in favour of more UH-60Ms, CH-47Fs
The US Army revealed plans to rebalance its aviation modernisation investments on February 8, including the cancellation of its multi-billion dollar Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programme – which was set to see a fly-off competition between Bell’s 360 Invictus and Sikorsky’s Raider X offerings in the near future – and also the axing of the service’s plan to upgrade hundreds of Black Hawks to UH-60V standard