<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]a6f312dd-2f05-4fe3-b733-30a5dd6e5b2e?sfvrsn=b9f65d10_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url("https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_54770-jdw-21057.jpg?sfvrsn=b9f65d10_2")" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div>
<p class="text-body text-muted small">A CH-53K King Stallion performs aerial refuelling trials in 2020. (Lockheed Martin)</p>
<p>The US Navy (USN) in its fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget requested USD17.3 billion to purchase 88 aircraft and helicopters, including spare parts, support equipment, and facilities.</p>
<p>The USN intends to spend USD4.9 billion dollars to procure Lockheed Martin F-35s. USD2.3 billion is meant to purchase 16 F-35Bs, the vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft flown by the US Marine Corps (USMC). The F-35Bs will replace Boeing AV-8Bs and F/A-18C/Ds. Another USD2.6 billion is slated for 19 F-35Cs, the conventional aircraft carrier-capable variant flown mainly by the USN. 15 of the C-models will go to the Navy, while the remaining 4 will go to the US Marine Corps.</p>
<p>The other major purchase is the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, designated to replace the CH-53E as the USMC’s heavy-lift helicopter. The USN allocated USD2.16 billion to purchase 15 of the King Stallion helicopters.</p>
<p>The USN also requested to purchase 26 Multi-Engine Training System (METS) aircraft, which are based on the Beechcraft King Air 260, at a cost of USD289 million. They are slated to replace T-44s – an older model of King Air – as the navy’s primary multi-engine flight training aircraft.</p>
<p>The budget also included a request for USD241 million for 2 Lockheed Martin KC-130Js, which the USMC uses as transport and air-to-air tanking aircraft.</p>
<p>The service proposed buying several varieties of unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The navy intends to add 3 MQ-25 Stingrays to the fleet for use as carrier-based air-to-air refuellers at a cost of USD596 million. The type’s entry into service remains intended for FY 2025. </p>
Related Posts
Add A Comment