Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

06/03/2026

If your small business develops counter-UAS technologies, NAVAIR wants to hear from you!

We’re looking for cutting-edge solutions from industry for decisive unmatched capabilities that can detect, track, identify and neutralize unmanned air systems (UAS) threats in complex operational environments. June 3 marks the first day of NAVAIR’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) pre-release Open Topic period—a time when you can ask questions about NAVAIR counter-UAS programmatic needs and ensure your solutions align with our warfighting objectives before the call for proposals opens June 24. The proposal closing date is July 22. If you have questions, plan to attend NAVAIR’s Counter-UAS SBIR Open Topic Industry Day on June 16 from 1-3 p.m. You can also go to the DOW’s SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login) or the General Services Administration System for Award Management web page (https://sam.gov/). We can be reached at [email protected].
Keep those ideas coming!

06/03/2026

Our mission demands operational velocity and relentless innovation. To better deliver cutting-edge combat power to the , we are aligning with the PAE Aviation—and you can now follow their official page directly for the latest updates on modernization, fleet and acquisition milestones.

Excellence is a team sport. Follow the new page to stay connected with the high-performing teams driving the future of the fight.

Delivering the capabilities our fleet needs to fight and win.

05/27/2026

Follow PAE Aviation for the latest news!

Levels Up: TCTS II Brings Secure, Live-Virtual-Constructive Training to Air Wing Fallon

Our just gained a massive advantage in the high-end fight. For the first time, a Carrier Air Wing at NAS Fallon flew training sorties using the new Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II)—delivering secure, integrated Live, Virtual, and Constructive training.

This isn't just an upgrade; it is a direct boost to fleet and . TCTS II creates a highly realistic, contested combat environment, allowing our naval aviators to push boundaries and challenge legacy tactics.

By turning complex training data into better tactics faster, we are accelerating operational velocity and ensuring our teams are optimized to fight and win against any adversary.

🔗: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/565883/advancing-fight-tcts-ii-elevates-air-wing-fallon-training

05/19/2026

MQ-25A Stingray milestone reached! Follow PAE Aviation for more information!

The MQ‑25A Stingray just marked a major milestone on its path to the . With Milestone C approval now secured, this transformational platform is officially moving into production, bringing the U.S. Navy one step closer to delivering the world’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft.

PAE Aviation remains committed to accelerating delivery, strengthening fleet , and ensuring our warfighters have the tools they need to prevail in future high-end conflicts.

🔗: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/565664/navys-mq-25a-stingray-secures-milestone-c-approval

(Photo Courtesy of Boeing)

05/18/2026

: PAE Aviation just released their mission statement. Follow the page for more information!

Our Mission is Bold and Clear

PAE Aviation rapidly delivers lethal, integrated warfighting and to U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps forces. We drive speed, innovation and operational advantage across the entire acquisition lifecycle—from concept development to sustainment and disposal—to ensure are ready to fight and win anytime, anywhere.

05/15/2026

Leading the Charge: VADM Dougherty and the Future of PAE Aviation

Be sure to follow the new PAE(A) page to stay up-to-date on the latest on !

Leading the Charge: VADM Dougherty and the Future of PAE Aviation

The threat is moving fast, and we must move faster. At the forefront of this effort is VADM John Dougherty, serving in a dual-hatted role as both PAE Aviation and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Commander.

PAE(A) represents a fundamental shift in our operating model. We are creating a warfighting acquisition system that aligns authority with responsibility, reduces bureaucracy, empowers program managers, operates with a digital first mindset, manages capabilities holistically and leverages a diverse industrial base.

"Together, we will deliver integrated warfighting capabilities to the and at speed and scale. Warfighter first. Always." — VADM Dougherty

Stay tuned as we introduce the leaders across the PAE Aviation structure who are helping us deliver a larger and more fleet.

05/11/2026

Today marks a new chapter for Naval Aviation with the formal establishment of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation!

This fundamental shift in our operating model is designed to strengthen accountability, empower decision-makers and accelerate the delivery of urgently needed capabilities to our warfighters—when they need them most.

“PAE is an opportunity for generational change, and we’re going to take advantage of it,” said Vice Adm. John Dougherty, PAE for Aviation. “PAEs are charged with ensuring our capability roadmaps are aligned and we’re putting our dollars toward the most consequential outcomes. It’s about integrating smartly across our entire portfolio of programs to deliver integrated warfighting capability—at speed.”

We are moving forward with a digital-first mindset and a relentless focus on the warfighter. Together, we will build on our long legacy of excellence to deliver a larger, more lethal Fleet.

Follow the PAE Aviation page to stay up-to-date on the latest news across !

Today marks a new chapter for Naval Aviation with the formal establishment of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation!

This fundamental shift in our operating model is designed to strengthen accountability, empower decision-makers and accelerate the delivery of urgently needed capabilities to our warfighters—when they need them most.

“PAE is an opportunity for generational change, and we’re going to take advantage of it,” said Vice Adm. John Dougherty, PAE for Aviation. “PAEs are charged with ensuring our capability roadmaps are aligned and we’re putting our dollars toward the most consequential outcomes. It’s about integrating smartly across our entire portfolio of programs to deliver integrated warfighting capability—at speed.”

We are moving forward with a digital-first mindset and a relentless focus on the warfighter. Together, we will build on our long legacy of excellence to deliver a larger, more lethal Fleet.

🔗: https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/Navy-Establishes-Portfolio-Acquisition-Executive-Aviation/Mon-05112026-0943

05/11/2026

Meet the "neurosurgeons" of Fleet Readiness Center East! ✈️

From repairing corrosion to manufacturing five-mile-long wiring harnesses from scratch, this specialized three-person team in the Cable Shop provides essential depot-level maintenance that goes beyond standard field repairs. They ensure these critical systems are ruggedized to withstand extreme environments, heavy vibration, and high G-forces.
Read more below to see how this small but mighty team keeps the fleet connected and ready for the fight.

WIRING THE FIGHT: HOW FRCE’S CABLE SHOP KEEPS THE FLEET CONNECTED

Tucked away from the roar of the flight line, Fleet Readiness Center East’s Cable Shop serves as the depot’s neurosurgeons, performing intricate surgery on the electrical “nerves” that bring aircraft to life. Whether they’re rewiring a five-mile-long wiring harness or manufacturing a new one from scratch, the team’s surgical focus ensures the fleet stays connected and mission-ready.

The Cable Shop provides the fleet with essential depot-level maintenance on aviation electrical components, cables and wire harnesses for the various weapons platforms maintained by FRCE. Wiring harnesses are bundles of electrical cables, wires and connectors that act as the nervous system, transmitting power, sensor data and signals throughout an aircraft.

Despite its small size, this three-person team repairs, overhauls and manufactures hundreds of wiring harnesses each year for the fleet. Serving as a specialized repair source for military aircraft wiring systems, the team performs repairs that go beyond standard fleet-level maintenance capabilities. By integrating these repairs with the facility’s manufacturing operations, FRCE’s Cable Shop provides military aviators with fully tested, ready-to-install hardware designed to minimize aircraft downtime and maximize mission operability.

These mission-critical assemblies are engineered to be modular, ruggedized systems that are capable of withstanding extreme environments, heavy vibration, and high G-forces. While the fleet can perform minor field repairs, such as terminal reconnections, the Cable Shop executes large-scale overhauls and intricate technical repairs required to maintain their structural and electrical integrity, according to the Cable Shop supervisor.

“These wiring harnesses are built to last, built to survive the hard missions,” the shop’s supervisor said. “Oftentimes, when harnesses are sent to us for repairs, it’s because of corrosion, water in the connectors, or repeat field repairs. While they are made with service loops so the fleet can fix a connection on the spot if needed, they can only be re-terminated so many times before they run out of slack. If the wire becomes too short, the whole thing needs to be replaced. That’s where we come in and redo the harness.”

Link to full news story in the comments!
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers - COMFRC

05/07/2026

: The CH-53K King Stallion achieved a new milestone by lifting itself. The ~28,000lb load was an Engineering Development Model from the program’s early developmental testing years.

The lift was part of the CH-53K aircraft recovery rigging evaluation and a critical step in developing new operational procedures to safely recover a downed or disabled CH-53K aircraft. The EDM, which had engines, most gearboxes, and the tail pylon removed, will eventually be used as a Ground Operations Aircrew Trainer.

📰: https://ow.ly/UHqm50YW4RT

05/06/2026

Naval Aviation News magazine has gathered Naval Aviation milestones from the past year all in one place: Our 2025 Year In Review edition is now available online. Check it out today!

🔗: https://navalaviationnews.navy.mil/