Pssst, Admiral … Navy Is Buying Some Ospreys: Acquisition of 48 V-22 Ospreys probably could be considered a drop in the bucket compared to the 360 Ospreys the Marine Corps plans to purchase or to other Navy priorities, but should it come as a surprise to the Chief of Naval Operations? When queried about Navy plans for its 48 V-22s, Adm. Michael Mullen told defense reporters in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, “That’s the first time I have ever heard the idea that the US Navy is flying Ospreys.” Mullen added that he’d have to do some homework on the issue. We offer this fact sheet on the Navy Web site as a starting point.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.