U.S. Navy Archives

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Aircraft Carriers Remain a Potent Force

Much has been said about China’s anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) and their threat to American aircraft carriers. Iran has likewise made deterring American carriers...

John RossomandoNovember 8, 2023

STRAIT OF MALACCA (June 18, 2021) The Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits the South China Sea with the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67). Reagan is part of Task Force 70/Carrier Strike Group 5, conducting underway operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rawad Madanat)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Iran Should Worry: A Second American Aircraft Carrier ‘Strike Group’ is in the Middle East

The United States Navy announced on Saturday that the Dwight D. Eisenhower Aircraft Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) arrived in the Middle East as part...

Peter SuciuNovember 5, 2023

F-14 Tomcat landing. Image Credit: US Navy.

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How an F-14 Tomcat Pilot Averted Total Disaster: Landing With ‘Stuck’ Wings

F-14s had variable swept wings that adjusted to changes in speed. Sometimes the wings failed and became stuck in the swept position. This could keep the...

Brent M. EastwoodNovember 3, 2023

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Super Tomcat 21: The Plan to Build a ‘Super’ F-14 Tomcat

Why the Super Tomcat 21 Was Not To Be: Designed to incorporate the air combat experience learned during the Vietnam War, the Grumman F-14 was...

Peter SuciuNovember 2, 2023

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 3, 2021) The U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transit the Philippine Sea during a photo exercise with multiple carrier strike groups, Oct. 3, 2021. The integrated at-sea operations brought together more than 15,000 Sailors across six nations, and demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to work closely with its unmatched network of alliances and partnerships in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael B. Jarmiolowski) 211003-N-LI114-1208.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Is an Aircraft Carrier Crisis About to Begin in the South China Sea?

The People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN's) Shandong aircraft carrier strike group has been conducting maneuvers with Chinese warplanes near Taiwan's air defense identification zone...

Peter SuciuNovember 2, 2023

HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth pictured at sea for the first time...Wednesday 19 May 2021 saw a historic moment in Britain’s carrier renaissance as HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales met at sea for the first time. With two 65,000 tonne carriers in operational service, Britain has a continuous carrier strike capability, with one vessel always ready to respond to global events at short notice. Image: Creative Commons.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Does the Royal Navy Have a Serious Problem With its Aircraft Carriers?

The UK Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales (R09) – its newest and largest aircraft carrier and warship – spent several months undergoing repairs...

Peter SuciuNovember 1, 2023

070426-N-0000X-001.PACIFIC OCEAN (April 26, 2007) - A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis-class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), during a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy ballistic missile flight test. Approximately three minutes later, the SM-3 intercepted a unitary (non-separating) ballistic missile threat target, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Within moments of this launch, the USS Lake Erie also launched a Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) against a hostile air target in order to defend herself. The test was the eighth intercept, in 10 program flight tests. The test was designed to show the capability of the ship and its crew to conduct ballistic missile defense and at the same time defend herself. This test also marks the 27th successful hit-to-kill intercept in tests since 2001. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy is Falling Behind China, and the Pentagon Knows It

The Pentagon recently released its annual report on China’s military developments and its findings are clear: China is eager to continue earning its keep...

Mackenzie EaglenOctober 31, 2023