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Navy/USMC

Marine Corps Set For Final Inspection Before F-35 Declared Battle-Ready

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

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Marine Corps Set For Final Inspection Before F-35 Declared Battle-Ready

The Marine Corps' short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B performs a vertical landing. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

The Marine Corps will soon conduct an operational readiness inspection (ORI) of its first squadron of F-35Bs, the final step before declaring that the jets are finally combat ready.Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, based in Yuma, Ariz., will be the first unit to declare initial operational capability of the jet sometime between now and December. The ORI will basically see the squadron complete a checklist of operational capabilities including sortie rates and maintenance turnaround time, said Joe DellaVedova, a…

Army

Lawmakers Request DoD Briefing On Army’s Planned Cuts To Aviation Procurement

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has sent a letter asking the Pentagon for a briefing on the potential industrial base impacts as a result of the Army’s planned cuts […]

Congress

CENTCOM Looking To Lessons Learned From Use Of LUCAS Drones

U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) is looking to lessons learned from its use of Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones by Phoenix-based SpektreWorks, according to CENTCOM head Adm. Brad Cooper. […]

Army

Hegseth Says DoD Open To Reviewing Army’s Planned Cuts To Legacy Helicopter Procurement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers the Pentagon is open to reviewing the Army’s planned procurement cuts to its legacy manned aviation fleet. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member […]

Congress

Appropriators Press For Details On Iran War Costs; DoD’s $29B Estimate Doesn’t Include Base Damage

The Pentagon estimates the U.S.’ ongoing conflict with Iran has now cost at least $29 billion, while a lead official noted the updated figure does not factor in damage to […]