Airscoop | April 9, 2026

Innovation Lab Turns Ideas into Warfighter Solutions in Days, Not Months

When contractors quoted mechanical engineer Vincent Malpaya $2,500 per unit to manufacture a switch matrix for rocket testing—and he needed 10—he turned to Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s Innovation Lab instead. By building the part
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

Joint P-8A Team Turns Training into Operational Success

The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office and the P-8A Poseidon program team recently planned and executed several Aircraft on Ground (AOG) events overseas, demonstrating the strength of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

Navy in Middle East Launches Attack Drone at Sea for First Time

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (NAVCENT/C5F) launched a one-way attack drone from a ship at sea for the first time Dec. 16, marking a significant milestone in expanding unmanned capabilities in the region. The Independence-class
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

NAVAIR Additive Manufacturing Team Delivers Rapid Fix for Air Force F-15

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing (AM) Team continues to expand forward-deployed readiness by providing AM training, engineering support and technical data to Navy and Marine Corps maintainers operating in contested
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

3D‑Printed Visor Enhances Aircrew Survival Training

A collaborative effort between Navy commands has yielded a breakthrough in aircrew safety: a cutting-edge, 3D-printed Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) visor.
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

VMUT-2 Graduates First Marine-Trained MQ-9A Reaper Pilots, Sensor Operators

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, graduated its first class of MQ-9A Reaper student pilots and sensor operators Nov. 7, 2025, marking the Marine Corps’ first organically
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

Poseidon Block 2, Minotaur Upgrades Enhance Maritime Patrol Picture

The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office achieved a major airborne connectivity milestone when the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (I3B2) aircraft connected successfully to the Minotaur Family of Systems (MFoS) Labyrinth hub
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

‘Black Knights’ Fly Again: VMM-264 Reactivates After Five-Year Hiatus

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, was officially reactivated during a Dec. 11, 2025, ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, marking the return of a storied unit after a five-year
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

Secret Service Receives New Trainer Courtesy of Presidential Helicopters...

The Presidential Helicopters Program Office delivered a retired and refurbished VH-3D helicopter to the United States Secret Service (USSS) in June 2025, providing the agency with a modernized training aircraft at the James J. Rowley Training Center
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

CNATTU Accepts Stricken MH-60S to Boost Training Capability

The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island enhanced its hands-on training capability in January after accepting a stricken MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Wing at Naval Air Station North Island.
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

F-35 Pilots, Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft Hone Tactics in Joint Si...

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) achieved a milestone in integrating the F-35 Lightning II with the Navy’s emerging Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) during a recent tactical demonstration inside its Joint Simulation
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

Navy UAS Surpass 1 Million Hours in ISR Operations

The Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Office announced its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Services UAS have surpassed 1 million flight hours supporting operations on land and at sea.
Airscoop | April 9, 2026

CH-53K King Stallion Marks 10 Years Since First Flight

The CH-53K King Stallion first took to the skies Oct. 27, 2015. More than a decade later, 20 CH-53Ks are now flying missions across four Navy and Marine Corps squadrons.
Airscoop | Dec. 5, 2025

Repurposed Harness Boosts Training Against Modern Threats

An innovative solution from China Lake is helping U.S. and coalition pilots counter modern air defense threats. It also saves time, money and resources.
Airscoop | Dec. 5, 2025

New TACAMO Mission Aircraft E-130J Named Phoenix II 

The U.S. Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) announced the official popular name for the Navy’s new Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission aircraft: E-130J
Airscoop | Dec. 5, 2025

CH-53K Transports F-35 Airframe

A CH-53K heavy lift helicopter transported an inoperable F-35B Lightning II airframe from Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina, Aug. 27.
Airscoop | Dec. 5, 2025

Historic TH-57 Helicopter Landing Aboard USS Lexington Marks End of an E...

Helicopter Squadron (HT) 28 conducted a landing of a TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopter aboard decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV 16) Museum on the Bay, July 30. The landing honored the legacy of the TH-57C and celebrated the Navy’s
Airscoop | Dec. 5, 2025

Navy Develops New Ground Communication Capability for Blue Angels

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field (NAWCAD WOLF) Special Communication Mission Solutions (SCMS) division collaborated with the Navy Blue Angels to quickly develop and deliver a new ground communication system to
Airscoop | Dec. 5, 2025

First Four Naval Aviators to Graduate from T-54A METS Program at Trainin...

Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) celebrated a significant achievement September as the first four student naval aviators from Training Air Wing FOUR (TW-4) successfully completed their multi-engine training in the Navy’s new T-54A “Multi-Engine
Airscoop | Dec. 5, 2025

Navy Demonstrates Multi-Day Solar UAS Flight

The Navy, in partnership with Skydweller Aero, recently achieved continuous solar-powered unmanned flight during a nonstop three-day test from Stennis, Mississippi.