Aircraft Carrier News

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

U.S. Air Force confirms B-2A can launch AGM-158C LRASM for anti-ship strikes

The U.S. Air Force revealed for the first time that the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber can employ the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), after the weapon was shown during a recent Sinking Exercise (SINKEX). The service also highlighted B-2 LRASM operations in the Pacific, underscoring a new maritime strike capability.

12 Sources

2026-06-29T17:26:04.080662-07:00

The War Zone

MQ-25 Stingray and MQ-28 Ghost Bat test aboard carriers as Navy advances missile interceptors and Sidewinder/Standard Missile fo

7 Sources

2026-06-29T11:42:40.861484-07:00

FlightGlobal

Uncrewed mission momentum: General Atomics MQ-9B named “gold standard” for High North operations as Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray resu

5 Sources

2026-06-30T07:17:34.480796-07:00

AeroTime

USS Theodore Roosevelt hosts international helicopter exchange for RIMPAC 26

3 Sources

2026-06-30T06:30:08.252797-07:00

Aircraft Carrier News Timeline

FlightGlobal

5 sources

Uncrewed mission momentum: General Atomics MQ-9B named “gold standard” for High North operations as Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray resu Defense experts have formally designated the General Atomics MQ-9B as the “gold standard” platform for intelligence and combat operations in the High North. Separately, Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed carrier-based tanker has returned to sea aboard the USS Nimitz, with deck-handling trials last performed in 2021.

2026-06-30T07:17:34.480796-07:00

Uncrewed mission momentum: General Atomics MQ-9B named “gold standard” for High North operations as Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray resu

AeroTime

3 sources

USS Theodore Roosevelt hosts international helicopter exchange for RIMPAC 26 The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt welcomed more than 45 military personnel from eight countries for an international helicopter exchange as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 (RIMPAC 26). The activity underscores multinational rotary-wing integration within the RIMPAC 26 training framework.

2026-06-30T06:30:08.252797-07:00

USS Theodore Roosevelt hosts international helicopter exchange for RIMPAC 26

The War Zone

12 sources

U.S. Air Force confirms B-2A can launch AGM-158C LRASM for anti-ship strikes The U.S. Air Force revealed for the first time that the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber can employ the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), after the weapon was shown during a recent Sinking Exercise (SINKEX). The service also highlighted B-2 LRASM operations in the Pacific, underscoring a new maritime strike capability.

2026-06-29T17:26:04.080662-07:00

U.S. Air Force confirms B-2A can launch AGM-158C LRASM for anti-ship strikes

The War Zone

5 sources

C-2 Greyhound completes final carrier onboard delivery mission as CMV-22 Osprey takes over The U.S. Navy has effectively ended the C-2 Greyhound’s carrier onboard delivery role, turning the mission to the CMV-22 Osprey. The handover marks a major shift in carrier logistics capability and the end of the C-2’s “trap” era aboard aircraft carriers.

2026-06-29T13:40:27.350031-07:00

C-2 Greyhound completes final carrier onboard delivery mission as CMV-22 Osprey takes over

The War Zone

7 sources

MQ-25 Stingray and MQ-28 Ghost Bat test aboard carriers as Navy advances missile interceptors and Sidewinder/Standard Missile fo A Boeing-owned MQ-25 Stingray T-1 demonstrator was embarked on the USS Nimitz during Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250 in the Atlantic, underscoring ongoing carrier air-wing experimentation. Separately, the U.S. Navy is preparing to solicit prototypes for a Standard Missile-series follow-on, while RTX won a $1.1B modification for nearly 2,000 IM-9X Sidewinder deliveries. Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat is also set to fly alongside U.S. fighters in an upcoming Valiant Shield exercise.

2026-06-29T11:42:40.861484-07:00

MQ-25 Stingray and MQ-28 Ghost Bat test aboard carriers as Navy advances missile interceptors and Sidewinder/Standard Missile fo

The War Zone

None source

MQ-25 Stingray Demonstrator Goes Aboard USS Nimitz For 250th U.S. Anniversary Celebrations

2026-06-29T11:42:40.861484-07:00

MQ-25 Stingray Demonstrator Go

Associated Press

3 sources

China’s Fujian carrier transits the Taiwan Strait, drawing renewed cross-strait military signaling China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Type 003 Fujian, has sailed through the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. The movement follows earlier reports that the carrier is nearing full operational capability, adding another major platform to Beijing’s near-term cross-strait presence.

2026-06-23T07:56:20.961277-07:00

China’s Fujian carrier transits the Taiwan Strait, drawing renewed cross-strait military signaling

The War Zone

5 sources

US aircraft carriers reposition as USS Nimitz completes Southern Seas tour and USS George Washington prepares Pacific deployment As of June 22, 2026, USS Nimitz has finished its Southern Seas tour, while USS George Washington is reported operating in the Pacific. Washington has been described moored at Naval Station Norfolk ahead of a Southern Seas deployment timeline, with the carrier and escorts joining Japanese forces in the Philippine Sea for “Valiant Shield.”

2026-06-22T16:26:14.813614-07:00

US aircraft carriers reposition as USS Nimitz completes Southern Seas tour and USS George Washington prepares Pacific deployment

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