DefenceTalkThe Navy conducted the first-ever, shipboard, full-speed catapult shots using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Naval Sea Systems Command announced May 15. EMALS is a carrier-based launch system designed to expand the operational capability of the Navy’s future carriers to include all […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-announces-successful-test-of-electromagnetic-catapult-on-cvn-78-64244/

DefenceTalkRussian defense officials’ plans to build a supercarrier have been scrutinized at home and abroad. However, the idea could have a surprisingly practical side. A new article in Newsweek rekindled rumors from March that Russia could be building a new supercarrier. The article notes that Russia has no strategic need for a supercarrier and the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/will-russia-build-a-fleet-of-supercarriers-64059/

DefenceTalkChina is building its second aircraft carrier, a senior naval officer has told media, the most explicit confirmation yet of a widely expected move that will boost Beijing’s maritime power. China’s first aircraft carrier was a 300-metre (1,000-foot) Soviet-era vessel bought from Ukraine and commissioned in September 2012 — at the time a milestone for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-building-second-aircraft-carrier-pla-63509/

DefenceTalkA firm has won a contract to supply cabling for a second Chinese aircraft carrier, comments by local authorities suggested in the latest sign that Beijing is boosting its maritime power, although news of the development was swiftly deleted online. Authorities in Changzhou said on a verified social media account that “in 2015, our city […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-building-second-aircraft-carrier-reports-62548/

DefenceTalkThe first F-35C Lightning II, carrier variant, for the U.S. Marine Corps touched-down on the flight line here, Jan. 13, from the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas, to begin training in support of carrier-based operations. U.S. Marine Lt. Col. J.T. “Tank” Ryan, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501 detachment commander and F-35 pilot, delivered […]https://www.defencetalk.com/marines-receive-first-f-35c-lightning-ii-carrier-variant-62212/

DefenceTalkThe Navy made aviation history Nov. 3 as an F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter conducted its first arrested landing aboard the aircraft . US Navy’s $1 Trillion F-35 Jet Makes Historic Landing On USS Nimitz The Navy made aviation history Nov. 3 as an F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Joint Stri. Sailors […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-1-trillion-jet-%e2%80%a2-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-%e2%80%a2-aircraft-carrier-flight-deck-ops-62128/

DefenceTalkOn behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), the Joint Armaments Cooperation Organization (OCCAr) has awarded Thales a contract to upgrade the fire control system for the anti-air missiles deployed by the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. The new equipment will be installed as part of the refit planned in 2018. Work […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thales-to-upgrade-fire-control-system-france-aircraft-carrier-61338/

DefenceTalkThe French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its fleet will be deployed to the Gulf to support operations against the Islamic State group, a military news site reported on Tuesday. The deployment of the marine battle group is due to be announced by President Francois Hollande when he gives his annual new year’s speech […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-to-deploy-aircraft-carrier-to-gulf-in-is-fight-report-61299/

DefenceTalkRecently, the Project On Government Oversight reported on the unaffordability of the Navy’s long-term shipbuilding budget and on the fact that its acquisition plans will actually cost much more than the service expects. According to the Congressional Budget Office, which uses a more realistic way of evaluating long-term acquisition plans, the Navy will need $76 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-tries-to-cover-up-new-carriers-exploding-cost-61169/

DefenceTalkThe F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter conducted its first carrier-based night flight operations aboard an aircraft carrier off the coast of San Diego Nov. 13. Navy test pilot Lt. Cmdr. Ted “Dutch” Dyckman piloted F-35C test aircraft CF-03 for the inaugural night flight, taking off from USS Nimitz (CVN 68). At 6:01 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35c-completes-first-night-flight-aboard-aircraft-carrier-61010/