Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

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.

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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/

05/01/2026

: The Navy’s MQ-25A conducted its initial flight April 25 at Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill. The aircraft completed a controlled test flight to evaluate basic handling and performance in preparation for future carrier-based operations.

Photos courtesy of Boeing.

04/29/2026

Celebrating the delivery of the 70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye this week—a testament to our ongoing commitment to strengthening deterrence and advancing global battle integration. Dubbed the “8th Wonder of the World,” by former CENTCOM commander, General Kurilla, the E-2D empowers our forces with unmatched situational awareness and asymmetric capabilities. Bottom line, the E-2D , ensures readiness for any mission. The 70th delivery reinforces our dedication to peace through strength and supporting the Fleet’s ability to command the battlespace with confidence.

04/27/2026

The MQ-25A Stingray has completed its first flight—marking a major step toward the future carrier air wing. From increasing range to reducing risk for pilots, the MQ-25 will help pave the way for unmanned carrier operations.

Video Courtesy of Boeing

📰: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/563636/mq-25a-stingray-achieves-successful-first-flight-advancing-future-naval-aviation

04/24/2026

Funding tomorrow’s warfighting today!

Did you miss our update on the SBIR/STTR programs at NAVAIR’s OSBP panel on Wednesday? We shared crucial updates with our industry partners on the programs’ recent reauthorization. Here’s what was covered:

➡️Stronger due diligence for SBIR/STTR awards

➡️New limits on the number of proposals a small business may submit per fiscal year

➡️A new high-tier Phase II funding level made available to government agencies that meet certain criteria

➡️Upcoming solicitations and awards — Pre-release of FY2026 SBIR and STTR Solicitations Release 1 is now available at DSIP (https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login) and SAM.gov. BAAs will be released May 6.

Learn more about NAVAIR’s SBIR/STTR programs here (https://www.navair.navy.mil/SBIR-STTRAboutUs). Don’t forget to check out our areas of need and submit your best ideas!

04/24/2026

received declaration of their Increment 3 Block 2 modification. This capability enhancement is in line with the CNO Fighting Instructions and the Golden Fleet Initiative. P-8A Poseidon is the Department of War’s only long-range full-spectrum anti-submarine warfare (ASW), cue-to-kill platform.

Read about it: https://ow.ly/zQgB50YP5EV

04/23/2026

Maximizing combat power starts with minimizing downtime. has achieved a major milestone in warfighter , slashing the turnaround time for the CH-53E Super Stallion by 14%.

04/22/2026

Funding tomorrow’s warfighting today!

NAVAIR’s SBIR/STTR programs management office connected with industry partners and the maritime community at this week. We joined OSBP and TTO today to discuss SBIR/STTR programs’ reauthorization and how industry can tap into the funding opportunity.

Significant policy changes in the reauthorization include:
➡️ Stronger due diligence for SBIR/STTR awards.
➡️ New limits on the number of proposals a small business may submit per fiscal year for Phase I and II solicitations.
➡️ Establishment of the Strategic Breakthrough Funding, a new, high-tier Phase II funding level. Available for use by government agencies that meet certain criteria, the award is specifically designed to bridge the gap between initial prototyping and full-scale operational development by providing significantly higher funding levels than traditional SBIR Phase II awards.

We’re already started reaching out to our industry partners for proposals! Pre-release of FY2026 SBIR and STTR Solicitations Release 1 is now available at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login and https://sam.gov/. The Broad Agency Announcement opens May 6.

We’re committed to engaging with innovative small businesses to drive the future of defense technologies. Ensure your team is up to date on the latest requirements and ready to engage with us. Learn more about NAVAIR’s SBIR/STTR programs and how to get involved here: https://www.navair.navy.mil/SBIR-STTRAboutUs. Don’t forget to check out our areas of need and submit your best ideas.