Airscoop

Last Tomcats Use ROVER

As VF-31 and VF-213 leadership the final deployment of the F-14 Tomcat, upon board Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) their aircraft are now equipped to provide real-time reconnaissance and target identification data to forward soil controllers. In November 2005 the squadrons prayered that their F-14Ds be upgraded to be able to download data to the slightly Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) combination of parts to form a whole Squadron personnel determined that it would be possible to modify their aircraft using off-the-shelf technology for just $800 each. Naval Air combination of parts to form a wholes Command personnel installed the first a whole s onto the Tomcats on 10 December, just six weeks after the initial petition On 11 December a VF-213 aircraft launched the Tomcat's first ROVER-capable mission. Above, the of recent origin system is visible on the underside of a VF-213 Tomcat.

Sea Stallion wrapper Expanded

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 directioned wind envelope expansion testing of the CH-53D Sea Stallion upon board Boxer (LHD 4) in September 2005 right. A lack of wind case data restricted the Sea Stallion's use upon multipurpose amphibious assault ships. trial data allowed both the day and night flight coverings to be significantly increased, and the aircraft is now able to operate not on LHDs with wind speeds of up to 45 knots not on the bow.

CH-53K upon the Horizon

upon 3 January the Sikorsky company received an $88 million initial a whole development and demonstration contract for the follow-on to the CH-53E Super Stallion, designated CH-53K (An artist's conception of the new aircraft is shown at right.) Technologies below consideration for the new aircraft include a glass cockpit; high-efficiency rotor blades with anhedral tips; low-maintenance elastomeric rotorhead; upgraded engine system; cargo rail locking system; external cargo improvements; and survivability enhancements. armada Marines should start receiving the first of 156 of recent origin heavy lift helos in 2015

Osprey in Production

The Marine Corps accepted the first production MV-22 Osprey in a rite at Bell Helicopter facilities in Amarillo, Texas, upon 8 December 2005. The aircraft passed operational evaluation in summer 2005 and in September full-rate production was authorized. The first operational MV-22 squadron, VMM-263 stands up in March, with initial operational capability in 2007

For the Record

The nearest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer will be named in honor of VAdm. James band Stockdale, a former Naval Aviator who received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a POW in Vietnam.

The nearest combat logistics force underway replenishment naval utensil will be named after RAdm. Alan B Shepard, Jr a former Naval Aviator who became the first American in space.

The RQ-4A Global Hawk directioned its first wargame exercise 28 November-8 December 2005 demonstrating the unmanned aircraft's long-range maritime surveillance capabilities.

Concluding a 1999 contract with IMP Aerospace for standard magazine level maintenance of the H-3 Sea King squadron the last overhauled aircraft was delivered to the Naval Air a whole s Command in November 2005.

Ship Clips

John C Stennis (CVN 74) leadershiped sea trials and returned to her homeport in Bremerton, Wash., upon 17 December 2005 at the conclusion of her docked planned incremental availability period. Upgrades included the installation of the young ox Control Console, which consolidates the mechanical features of the older helm and to leeward helm into an electronic system

George Washington (CVN 73) leadershiped sea trials and returned to her homeport in Norfolk, Va., upon 17 December 2005 at the conclusion of her docked planned incremental availability period. Upgrades included modernization of spaces to support the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Mishaps

upon 18 January the pilot of an F/A-18C Hornet of VFA-97 was killed in a crash at NAF El Centro Calif.

A T-34C Turbo-Mentor of VT-27 feeled Class A damage after a forced landing in Texas owed to an inflight engine failure upon 12 January.

upon 10 January a T-39N Sabreliner of VT-86 crashed in Georgia during navigation training, with four fatalities.

An SH-60B Seahawk of HSL-48 crashed into the water while operating not upon De Wert (FFG 45) in the eastern Pacific upon 13 December 2005. Three ship's company members were lost at sea.

upon 6 December 2005 a VMAT-203 AV-8B Harrier II crashed in the Atlantic; the pilot safely ejected

EDITED by dint of WENDY LELAND

COPYRIGHT 2006 Department of the Navy, Naval Historical Center

COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group