Aircraft Carrier News

UK Defence Journal • George Allison

UK launches Project VANQUISH to trial jet-powered carrier 'loyal wingman' from Queen Elizabeth-class carriers

The UK Ministry of Defence has launched Project VANQUISH, seeking industry proposals for a jet‑powered Fixed‑Wing Short Take‑Off and Landing Autonomous Collaborative Platform to operate from Queen Elizabeth‑class carriers. A technical demonstration is planned next year to inform the Royal Navy's Hybrid Air Wing; roles envisaged include strike and refuelling.

2025-10-04T08:53:51.601593-07:00

AeroTime

China validates EMALS launches of J-35, J-15T and KJ-600 from carrier Fujian

2025-09-22T05:12:26.428254-07:00

FlightGlobal

US Navy awards $9.4M to Sea Dragon Energy to develop shipboard seawater-to-jet-fuel system

2025-10-03T08:56:25.393142-07:00

USNI News

China's Fujian Transits Taiwan Strait into South China Sea During Sea Trials

2025-09-11T12:34:57.870872-07:00

Aircraft Carrier News Timeline

staradvertiser.com

Trump Observes Sea Power Demonstrations Aboard USS George H.W. Bush Off Norfolk President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump observed U.S. Navy sea power demonstrations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, on Oct. 5, witnessing carrier flight operations and at-sea evolutions that showcased forward naval presence.

2025-10-05T22:19:03.220945-07:00

Trump Observes Sea Power Demonstrations Aboard USS George H.W. Bush Off Norfolk

nationalsecurityjournal.org

France's PANG carrier to replace Charles de Gaulle — twin K22 reactors, EMALS/AAG; construction from 2031 for 2038 entry France's next-generation carrier, PANG, will replace Charles de Gaulle around 2038 with construction due to begin in 2031. The nuclear-powered design features twin K22 reactors and is projected at ~78,000 tonnes, 310 m length, 27 kt speed, and will carry EMALS and advanced arresting gear.

2025-10-05T08:28:12.302872-07:00

France's PANG carrier to replace Charles de Gaulle — twin K22 reactors, EMALS/AAG; construction from 2031 for 2038 entry

UK Defence Journal

UK launches Project VANQUISH to trial jet-powered carrier 'loyal wingman' from Queen Elizabeth-class carriers The UK Ministry of Defence has launched Project VANQUISH, seeking industry proposals for a jet‑powered Fixed‑Wing Short Take‑Off and Landing Autonomous Collaborative Platform to operate from Queen Elizabeth‑class carriers. A technical demonstration is planned next year to inform the Royal Navy's Hybrid Air Wing; roles envisaged include strike and refuelling.

2025-10-04T08:53:51.601593-07:00

UK launches Project VANQUISH to trial jet-powered carrier 'loyal wingman' from Queen Elizabeth-class carriers

nationalsecurityjournal.org

How the U.S. Navy’s 1970s CVV Decision Became a Strategic Mistake In the 1970s the U.S. Navy studied a 50–60,000‑ton CVV "medium" carrier meant to deliver faster, cheaper conventional carriers for ASW, ISR and flank protection during Vietnam and the Cold War. The program’s rejection is now viewed as a strategic mistake that helped shape subsequent carrier force posture.

2025-10-03T17:45:14.363421-07:00

How the U.S. Navy’s 1970s CVV Decision Became a Strategic Mistake

FlightGlobal

US Navy awards $9.4M to Sea Dragon Energy to develop shipboard seawater-to-jet-fuel system The US Navy has awarded Sea Dragon Energy a $9.4 million contract to develop shipboard systems that convert seawater into jet fuel. The award funds research and prototype development of seawater-to-jet-fuel processes that, in theory, could enable indefinite sustainment of carrier strike group flight operations.

2025-10-03T08:56:25.393142-07:00

US Navy awards $9.4M to Sea Dragon Energy to develop shipboard seawater-to-jet-fuel system

nationalsecurityjournal.org

S-3 Viking retirement left carriers short on organic ASW and tanker capability The Lockheed S-3 Viking was the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based anti-submarine platform for roughly 30 years and later performed surface strike, ISR and buddy-tanker roles. Its retirement removed persistent acoustic-processing, torpedo delivery and carrier-based refueling capacity, creating enduring operational gaps.

2025-10-01T05:56:17.879264-07:00

S-3 Viking retirement left carriers short on organic ASW and tanker capability

nationalsecurityjournal.org

USS Nimitz at 50: How the Nimitz-class Shaped U.S. Carrier Aviation Commissioned in 1975, USS Nimitz (CVN-68) launched the Nimitz-class — whose nuclear reactors, large air wing and survivability set the template for U.S. carrier aviation. Deployed across the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Gulf and Pacific, she has sustained U.S. carrier presence for nearly 50 years.

2025-10-01T05:19:21.604793-07:00

USS Nimitz at 50: How the Nimitz-class Shaped U.S. Carrier Aviation

The Aviationist

Royal Navy First Sea Lord flies in F/A-18F from USS Gerald R. Ford during North Sea visit, underscoring carrier interoperability First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins boarded and flew in a U.S. Navy F/A‑18F Super Hornet while visiting USS Gerald R. Ford as the carrier operated in the North Sea. The flight — and the visit — highlight growing practical carrier interoperability between the Royal Navy and U.S. carrier forces.

2025-09-29T17:32:43.609260-07:00

Royal Navy First Sea Lord flies in F/A-18F from USS Gerald R. Ford during North Sea visit, underscoring carrier interoperability

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