Current Events in the Americas

Come aboard USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), the newest aircraft carrier (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog) Lots of pics.

A little sad as endings go: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/23/forrestal-navy-first-supercarrier-sold-for-1-penny/ I never served aboars her, but, like all of us, I've seen "Trial by Fire" numerous times. Buddha

To Save the Submarines, Eliminate ICBMs and Bombers (Defense One)

Lots of pics. Boeing's new tricked out Advanced Super Hornet (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog)

An interesting and undoubtedly controversial article ... Reforming America's Overhyped Airpower (POGO)

A US Navy With Only 8 Carriers? (DefenseNews)

Bittersweet 50th anniversary for Canada's Sea King helicopters (CBC News)

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-raytheon-takes-aim-at-lockheeds-lrasm-387510/ (Flight Global) So, what should replace Harpoon? LRASM (aka JASSM-ER) or JSOW-ER? Or something else? Or is a replacement even necessary?

USS Freedom Cuts Short Initial Singapore Underway (Aviation Week)

F/A-18F CFT & Weapons Pod mockup in St Louis (Flight Global, DEW Line blog) Boeing poised to begin flight-testing Advanced Super Hornet features (Jane's)

15 May 2013

LCS: Navy Pushes Back Against Criticisms (Breaking Defense)

US Carrier Launch Pushed Back 4 Months (DefenseNews)

Could New SSBN Program Sink U.S. Navy? (The Diplomat, Flashpoints blog)

Heron, Reaper and Hermes 900 Compete for Canadas Arctic mission (Defense Update)

Why America Still Needs Aircraft Carriers (Foreign Policy) I agree!

Okay, more accident than the dramatic title indicates. Trawler strikes navy ship sending 6 to B.C. hospital (CBC News) Winnipeg is in the middle of the FELEX upgrade.

French pitch new warships for next Canadian navy vessels (CBC News)

LCS-4 Trials Halted After Engine Fires (Aviation Week) Newest LCS Suffers Fire at Sea, Damage ‘Minor’ (DefenseNews)