MAY 8, 2025 - In a quiet hangar on an airbase, an F-35 Lightning II aircraft sits silently, its sleek lines slightly marred by streaks of discoloration. Exposure to jet blast, airborne debris, oil, and fuel residues in harsh environments has left marks on its surface — a common occurrence for any fighter aircraft. But beneath that worn exterior, low observable (LO) … [Read more...]

MAY 8, 2025 - Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division successfully air-launched a Solid Fuel Integral Rocket Ramjet (SFIRR) from an unmanned vehicle for the first time, one step toward modernizing missile technology. The test also integrated the use of a fire control system on a BQM-34 unmanned target vehicle for live firing, demonstrating advancements in high-speed, … [Read more...]

MAY 7, 2025 — The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has announced a new strategic direction for its NIKE laser-target facility to align its world-class capabilities with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) nuclear strategic priorities. The new strategic direction marks a shift from the facility’s historical focus on Department of Energy (DoE) missions, specifically those … [Read more...]

MAY 7, 2025 - Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment on May 6, 2025. USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) departed Norfolk as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG-12) for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The deployment will underscore the U.S. … [Read more...]

MAY 6, 2025 – Naval Station Norfolk welcomed the U.S. Navy’s newest vessel USNS Robert E. Simanek (T-ESB 7) to its new home on May 5, after completing its maiden voyage from San Diego, Calif. The event was attended by friends and family, including his daughter, Ann Simanek Clark who serves as the ship’s sponsor. Simanek is named in honor of Private First-Class Robert Earnest … [Read more...]