Aircraft Carrier News

Bloomberg • Josh Wingrove

Trump: Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i (VC-25B) Air Force One to undergo additional “maxed out” defensive/security upgrades

President Donald Trump said the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-800/747-8i that serves as the new Air Force One will be taken offline for further upgrades after lawmakers and security questions over the aircraft’s defenses. Modifications follow concerns that L3Harris-rapidly updated systems did not meet typical presidential transport security standards.

47 Sources

2026-07-19T19:08:59.817227-07:00

The War Zone

US Navy seeks a Southern Command “mothership” capable of launching and recovering helicopters, drones and small boats

1 Source

2026-07-22T10:09:56.548261-07:00

DefenseNews.com

U.S. Navy advances West Coast aircraft-carrier dock plans

4 Sources

2026-07-22T12:40:29.322997-07:00

The War Zone

U.S. extends strikes on Iran, reinforcing regional air assets amid Strait of Hormuz escalation

6 Sources

2026-07-20T15:41:19.731849-07:00

Aircraft Carrier News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

4 sources

U.S. Navy advances West Coast aircraft-carrier dock plans The U.S. Navy is moving forward with plans to build a new aircraft-carrier dock on the West Coast, designed specifically to support carrier operations. The initiative signals continued investment in naval infrastructure to sustain and expand U.S. maritime presence in the region.

2026-07-22T12:40:29.322997-07:00

U.S. Navy advances West Coast aircraft-carrier dock plans

The War Zone

1 source

US Navy seeks a Southern Command “mothership” capable of launching and recovering helicopters, drones and small boats The U.S. Navy is looking for a sea-based platform to support Southern Command operations, designed to launch and recover helicopters, drones, and small boats. The concept also positions the vessel as an operating base to support sustained maritime and distributed mission activity.

2026-07-22T10:09:56.548261-07:00

US Navy seeks a Southern Command “mothership” capable of launching and recovering helicopters, drones and small boats

The War Zone

6 sources

U.S. extends strikes on Iran, reinforcing regional air assets amid Strait of Hormuz escalation The U.S. continues its air and strike campaign against Iran for a 10th consecutive day, following a weekend escalation described as one of the heaviest U.S. bombardments since the June halt in hostilities. The latest actions aim to contest Tehran’s denial strategy around the Strait of Hormuz.

2026-07-20T15:41:19.731849-07:00

U.S. extends strikes on Iran, reinforcing regional air assets amid Strait of Hormuz escalation

Bloomberg

47 sources

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Trump: Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i (VC-25B) Air Force One to undergo additional “maxed out” defensive/security upgrades President Donald Trump said the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-800/747-8i that serves as the new Air Force One will be taken offline for further upgrades after lawmakers and security questions over the aircraft’s defenses. Modifications follow concerns that L3Harris-rapidly updated systems did not meet typical presidential transport security standards.

2026-07-19T19:08:59.817227-07:00

Trump: Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i (VC-25B) Air Force One to undergo additional “maxed out” defensive/security upgrades

The War Zone

1 source

Some U.S. Navy fighter pilots in training still require E-2 carrier qualification as naval aviation training pipeline shifts A portion of U.S. Navy fighter pilots—along with foreign student pilots—still must complete carrier qualifications while the broader naval aviation training landscape is set to undergo major changes. The process remains a gating requirement even as the service prepares for upcoming adjustments to how pilots are trained for carrier operations.

2026-07-10T13:16:20.995855-07:00

Some U.S. Navy fighter pilots in training still require E-2 carrier qualification as naval aviation training pipeline shifts

Wall Street Journal

None source

NATO-backed Arctic aircraft carrier operations focus on deterring Russia amid hybrid-war escalation in the High North The Wall Street Journal reports from NATO’s Arctic aircraft-carrier deployment alongside the British military as it sails to the High North to deter an escalating hybrid conflict. The mission is framed around intensified efforts to detect and counter Russian threats in the Arctic theater.

2026-07-10T10:46:06.158447-07:00

NATO-backed Arctic aircraft carrier operations focus on deterring Russia amid hybrid-war escalation in the High North

politico.eu

18 sources

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UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales: F-35Bs scrambled to intercept Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft near the Norwegia Britain’s Ministry of Defence said its carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the Norwegian Sea was repeatedly approached by a Russian Tu-142 Bear-F maritime patrol aircraft. Two Royal Navy F-35B jets were scrambled to intercept; the Tu-142 dropped multiple sonobuoys, failed to respond to radio calls, and was escorted away.

2026-07-05T22:13:50.111122-07:00

UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales: F-35Bs scrambled to intercept Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft near the Norwegia

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

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