Marines Buy 2 XQ-58A Valkyrie Drones for ‘Collaborative Killer’ Concept Testing

The Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie is an experimental stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle designed and built by Kratos. US Air Force Photo

The Marine Corps used a new Pentagon program designedto quickly prototype systems for conflict in the Pacific to buy two unmanned aerial vehicles last month for $15.5 million, a service official told USNI News on Tuesday.

The contract to Kratos for the pair of XQ-58A Valkyrie “loyal wingman” drones was bought through the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/24/marines-buy-2-xq-58a-valkyrie-drones-for-collaborative-killer-concept-testing

Navy Buys 2 ‘Loyal Wingman’ XQ-58A Valkyrie Drones for $15.5M

An XQ-58A Valkyrie low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle launches at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Dec. 9, 2020. US Air Force Photo

The Navy is buying two stealth unmanned aerial systems – originally developed for the Air Force – that could operate with a manned fighter, as the service pursues the manned-unmanned teaming concept officials say is central to the future of naval aviation.

The service issued a $15.5 million contract to Kratos for the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial system,...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/03/navy-buys-2-loyal-wingman-xq-58a-valkyrie-drones-for-15-5m

Report to Congress on Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program

The following is the June 23, 2022 Congressional Research Service In Focus report, Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program.

From the report

According to the Air Force, the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is intended to develop “a portfolio of technologies enabling air superiority.” The Air Force intends for NGAD to replace the F-22 fighter jet beginning in 2030, possibly including a combination of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, with other systems and sensors. NGAD began as a...

https://news.usni.org/2022/06/24/report-to-congress-on-air-force-next-generation-air-dominance-program

Navy’s F/A-XX Fighter Will be the ‘Quarterback’ for a Team of Unmanned Aircraft

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Red Rippers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), Jan. 7, 2022. US Navy Photo

The future F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter will operate as the Navy’s “quarterback” for manned and unmanned teaming in future carrier operations, according to the service.

Navy officials described the vision for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, meant to expand the range...

https://news.usni.org/2022/04/28/navys-f-a-xx-fighter-will-be-the-quarterback-for-a-team-of-unmanned-aircraft

Navy Keeps Next-Generation Fighter Research Costs Classified For Third Consecutive Budget Cycle

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the ‘Stingers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, recovers on the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on Sept. 23, 2021. US Navy Photo

THE PENTAGON – The Navy is spending more money to develop its sixth-generation fighter program but is keeping the costs classified for the third year in a row, the service said on Monday.

For the last three budget cycles, the Navy has classified the research and development dollars it’s...

https://news.usni.org/2022/03/29/navy-keeps-next-generation-fighter-research-costs-classified-for-third-consecutive-budget-cycle

Cyber Breaches of Maritime Transportation System Caused by Stovepiped Software Designs, Expert Says

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew based out of Air Station Kodiak and deployed aboard Cutter Alex Haley, prepares for a helicopter in-flight refueling at sea evolution with the cutter crew during a search and rescue case near Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. US Coast Guard Photo

Cyber attacks on the global maritime transportation system – like last month’s breach at the port of Houston – should not be considered a digital Pearl Harbor surprise, a leading security expert said last...

https://news.usni.org/2021/12/20/cyber-breaches-of-maritime-transportation-system-caused-by-stovepiped-software-designs-expert-says

HASC Chairman Sees Future for Aircraft Carriers, Questions Cost

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, is briefed on the capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II during his visit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 10, 2019. The congressman learned about several aspects of the 56th Fighter Wing F-35 pilot training and how the wing works to enhance lethality and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham)

Questioning the $12 billion price tag of new aircraft carriers, the chairman of the House Armed Services...

https://news.usni.org/2021/08/31/hasc-chairman-sees-future-for-aircraft-carriers-questions-cost

Del Toro Sworn In As Navy Secretary; White House Nominates Navy General Counsel

Carlos Del Toro, a former surface warfare officer and destroyer commander, was sworn in as the 78th secretary of the Navy late Monday.

During a private evening ceremony at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va., Navy assistant secretary for energy, installations and environment Meredith Berger swore Del Toro into the position, according to a Navy official.

On Tuesday, Del Toro joined Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday on a visit to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., to see the...

https://news.usni.org/2021/08/10/del-toro-sworn-in-as-navy-secretary-white-house-nominates-navy-general-counsel

Senate Confirms Del Toro as Next Navy Secretary

The Senate confirmed the White House’s nominee to lead the Department of the Navy in a voice vote late Saturday.

Carlos Del Toro, a former surface warfare officer, is the final Defense Department service secretary to be confirmed by the Senate.

The Cuban-born Naval Academy graduate served in the Navy for 22 years in uniform before working as a Pentagon civilian and then as the head of a Northern Virginia information technology firm. He will be the second Hispanic SECNAV following Edward Hidalgo...

https://news.usni.org/2021/08/08/senate-confirms-del-toro-as-next-navy-secretary

SASC Advances Del Toro’s Secretary of the Navy Nomination to Senate Floor

NASA Photo

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday approved President Joe Biden’s nominee to serve as the Navy’s top civilian, paving the way for a vote on the Senate floor.
The panel approved Carlos Del Toro, a former surface warfare officer, via a voice vote, the committee said on Tuesday.

Carlos Del Toro

Del Toro appeared before the panel earlier this month as part of his confirmation process to serve as Navy secretary. During his hearing, the former destroyer commander confirmed his...

https://news.usni.org/2021/07/27/sasc-advances-del-toros-secretary-of-the-navy-nomination-to-senate-floor

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