Pentagon cost review: F-35B to be redesigned, put on probation

Some aviation-related takeaways from US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speech on on cost reviews at the Pentagon.

• The F-35B STOVL remains the only JSF model behind schedule. Redesign of the variant's structure and propulsion may be needed.
  
  
• The F-35B will be put on probation for two years, cancellation at the end of the probation period will remain a possiblity.
  
  
• More F/A-18E/Fs will be purchased for the Navy to cover fighter gaps due to F-35 delays.
  
  
• 150 (legacy?) F/A-18s will have their service lives extended. (also due to F-35 delays)
  
  
• The USAF will field a new, optionally-manned long range nuclear-capable bomber.
  
  
• More Reaper UAVs will be purchased by the USAF.
  
  
• Continuing radar upgrades for existing USAF F-15s.
  
  
• A new seaborne strike/surveillance aircraft will be purchased
  
  

Full transcript of SecDef Gate's speech.

PHOTO: Sneak peek of US Navy Centenary Growler

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Here's a sneak peek of the US Navy's Centenary of Naval Aviation EA-18G Growler. Can't wait to see a proper high resolution shot of this one! (Photo: US Naval Air Forces Facebook)

T-45 Crashes Near Tallahassee

A US Navy T-45C Goshawk training jet has crashed in Florida while conducting a training mission. Both crewmembers ejected safely. The T-45 Goshawk is a carrier-capable version of the BAE Hawk trainer.

Navy instructor pilots lose flying status for Lake Tahoe dip

Two Navy instructor pilots have been forever stripped of flying status over the incident in September when they were caught on video dipping two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters into Lake Tahoe while hovering at low level. Repairs to the helicopters cost US$505,000.

EMALS Launches Super Hornet

For the first time in over 50 years, a US Navy plane has been launched by something other than a steam catapult, with the next-generation electromagnetic catapult performing its first ever live aircraft launch when an F/A-18E Super Hornet was launched from the system. The event took place at the Navy’s Lakehurst Air Engineering Station in New Jersey.

PHOTO: River Rattlers F/A-18A+ in Centennial scheme

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VFA-204 "River Rattlers" Centennial F/A-18A+ BuNo 162866 makes its first squadron flight since coming out of the paint shop painted in an overall Glossy Sea Blue scheme. The X was the station identifier for Naval Air Station New Orleans when Vought F4U Corsairs based there were painted in similar colours in the late 40s and early 50s. Each Reserve base had its own letter as an identifier, with X being the identifier for NAS New Orleans. (US Navy Photo via US Naval Air Forces Facebook)

X-47 UCAV demonstrator almost ready for first flight

Northrop Grumman's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) is reportedly almost ready to make its first flight. The aircraft has been performing taxi tests for several weeks at Edwards Air Force Base.

T-6B gets retro colours for US naval aviation centenary

The latest US Navy aircraft to carry a retro paint scheme is a new T-6B Texan II trainer delivered by Hawker Beechcraft in a special colour scheme to commemorate the Centenary of Naval Aviation. The aircraft is in a orange-yellow paint scheme, reminiscent of trainer aircraft from the 1940s and 1950s.

Gallery of US Navy Centennial of Naval Aviation aircraft

The US Naval Air Forces has a photo gallery of aircraft painted up in retro schemes for 2011's Centenary of Naval Aviation in their Facebook page (need to log into Facebook). I've seen photos of some other aircraft currently in the paintshop, and I can't wait to see those fully done!

JSF engine too big to be transported to carriers

Navy Times has reported that the size of the F-35 JSF's engine would render it impossible to ferry additional engines to a Nimitz-class carrier at sea in the (admittedly rare) event one was required. The F135 engine would not fit onto carrier-capable transport aircraft and it is too heavy to be transferred from ship to ship via underway replenishment

Bloodhounds Viking wears 1942 paint scheme

The US Naval Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-30 'Bloodhounds' has gone retro with one of its S-3 Vikings wearing a 1942 US Navy aircraft blue/sea grey paint scheme as part of the US Navy's Centenary of Naval Aviation celebrations. The US Navy has painted several of its aircraft in paint schemes of yesteryear as part of the centenary.

USS George Washington deploys for exercise with S Korean Navy

The USS George Washington carrier strike group will join Republic of Korea (ROK) naval forces in the waters west of the Korean peninsula to conduct an exercise in the next few days. The Yokosuka-based carrier has embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW 5) and will be accompanied by USS Cowpens (CG 62), USS Lassen (DDG 89), USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62).

PHOTO: Bugs in the morning fog

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101118-N-7214P-007 MIRAMAR, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2010) F/A-18 Hornets are positioned on the flight line of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar during the early morning fog. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 1st Class Anastasia Puscian/Released)

Boeing delivers tenth C-40A to the U.S. Navy.

Boeing has delivered the 10th C-40A transport/cargo aircraft to the U.S. Navy. The C-40A is a Boeing 737-700 airliner modified with a main-deck cargo door and can be configured for troop transport, cargo transport or both.

P-3C concerns may freeze deliveries from Lockheed plant

Deliveries of P-3C Orion wing components from a major Lockheed Martin aircraft factory may be frozen after the discovery of quality issues. A team of inspectors from the Defense Contract Management Agency and Naval Air Systems Command are assessing Lockheed's plans for fixing the root causes of the issues at the plant in Greenville, South Carolina.

PHOTO: SH-60B Seahawk goes to the Pacific Aviation Museum

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101116-N-7498L-053 PEARL HARBOR (Nov. 16, 2010) Cmdr. Brian Gebo, the commanding officer of the Easy Riders of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, and Lt. Brian Roberts land a Sikorsky SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter on Ford Island next to the Pacific Aviation Museum. The helicopter has reached the end of its service life cycle and is now part of the Pacific Aviation Museum collection. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico/Released)

EA-18G Growlers Take to Fallon Skies

Two EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft have recently began validation with Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center's Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons School (AEAWS) at NAS Fallon. AEAWS will provide training to the US Navy's electronic attack squadrons in the electronic attack and air-to-air arena.

E-6B Block I Modification reaches IOT&E

The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office has completed an Operational Test Readiness Review for the E-6B Block I Modification Program. The Block 1 modification modifies the aircraft, ground training systems, and the Systems Integration Laboratory to provide the Joint Force with a more effective survivable nuclear command, control and communications capability,

US Navy Celebrates First Flight Centennial

Naval Station Norfolk has hosted a ceremony to celebrate the centennial of naval aviation and the US Navy's first flight which took place nearly 100 years ago. A replica of the Curtis Pusher Biplane which Eugene Ely off the deck of the light cruiser USS Birmingham was flown during the ceremony.

See related Photo Gallery.

Huge airshow at NAS North Island to kick off Centennial of Naval Aviation events

Naval Air Station North Island will kick off the US Navy's Centennial of Naval Aviation events in 2011 with a huge airshow in February. Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aircraft, from pre-WWI to the present Blue Angels F/A-18 jets will conduct a flyby over San Diego Bay, while around 75 historic aircraft will be in the static display. Guided tours of the USS John C Stennis and a Wasp-class LHD are also available.