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A STRONG OFFENSE FOR THE WORLD OF DEFENSE

 

April 4, 2024   The 18th Aggressor Squadron based in Eielson AFB near Fairbanks, Alaska, has changed its designation to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. This is a major switch and the first time the FIS designation has been applied to a USAF squadron since shortly after the end of the Cold War. The change, which will refocus the unit on the homeland air defense mission, is telling as it underscores the morphing security situation both in the Arctic and the Pacific, as well as the USAF's priorities in the region. You can read more about that here.   Elsewhere, drone maker Kratos says that an MQ-58B variant of its stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie drone is in development for the U.S. Marine Corps. The requirements for this previously undisclosed version as they are known now are centered on the ability to launch electronic attacks to suppress enemy air defenses. The Marine Corps' interest in potentially using the Valkyrie operationally in this role, and in doing so collaboratively with crewed F-35 Joint Strike fighters, has already been front and center in testing involving the service's small existing fleet of XQ-58As. You can read more about that here.    Make sure to check out highlights of all our coverage from the last week below. We are also continuing our rolling coverage of the conflict in Ukraine as it develops.    -- Oliver Parken The War Zone

 

 

Must Read Articles

 

Last Marine Harrier Pilots Complete Training As AV-8B’s End Draws Near   With the Marine Corps planning to retire its last Harriers in 2026, the final two pilots have been trained to fly the ‘jump jet.’

 

F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?   A version of the F-15EX could finally provide Israel with the new Eagles it wants, but the deal comes at a politically perilous time.

 

North Korea’s Latest Hypersonic Missile System Is One Sinister-Looking Weapon   North Korea just tested a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile with a wedge-shaped hypersonic boost-glide vehicle on top.

 

Navy’s Rush To Test Microwave Weapons Tied To Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Fears   The Navy wants high-power microwave systems to help ships conserve other weapons, specially ones capable of downing ballistic missiles.

 

MQ-4C Triton Has Arrived In Europe, Could Impact Black Sea, Red Sea Operations   Navy MQ-4C drones will give U.S. commanders unique capabilities to surveil maritime areas in and around Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

 

First U.S. Army Unit Just Received Long Awaited M4 And M249 Replacements   Delivery of the first next-generation rifles and light machine guns to soldiers represents a huge moment for the Army.

 

Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion   The USAF has $1.5B in critical parts on its unfunded priority list, choosing to invest in future capabilities it wants over the ones it has.       From the Archive

 

The Colossal Skypirate Was A Beast Of A Carrier Aircraft Design   With 70 feet of wingspan and a 22 foot high tail, the Skypirate was the huge piston powered Navy torpedo bomber that never came to be.       Hot Shots

 

Three F/A-18F Super Hornets from the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 fly above the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, March 27, 2024.

 

U.S. Army Capt. Chris Bissett and Warrant Officer Eric Mendoza, pilots, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Pechacek, crew chief, fly a VH-60M Black Hawk over the Potomac River near the National Mall, Washington, D.C., March 25, 2024.

 

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnathan Saechao fires a Stinger Trainer Launch Simulator during Warrior Shield 24, Daecheon Firing Range, Republic of Korea, March 5, 2024.