The USS Carl Vinson ( CVN-70 ) aircraft carrier has stolen the show at the RIMPAC 2024, flexing a powerhouse air wing and cutting-edge naval capabilities.
Naval News reported that the USS Carl Vinson showcased its superior air aircraft, known as CVW-2, during July’s yearly Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the nation’s largest global maritime war workout.
The CVW-2 includes cutting-edge US aviation such as the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, EA-18G Growler and MH-60R/S Seahawk.
The Naval News report mentions that the carrier strike group demonstrated new capabilities such as the long-range AIM-174B air-to-air missile, adapted from the surface-launched SM-6 Block IA, and the AN/ALQ-249 ( V ) 1 electronic warfare ( EW ) pods for the EA-18G Growler, enhancing its electronic attack and cyber warfare capabilities.
It also says that the AARGM-ER ( AGM-88G), an advanced anti-radiation missile, is also expected to join the air wing’s arsenal.
The US Navy’s wider plan to expand its air wing capabilities across the fleet, particularly in the Pacific region, as it makes its pivot to the Indo-Pacific, is reflected in Naval News ‘ mention of the USS Carl Vinson’s deployment with the Air Wing of the Future ( AWOTF ) concept.
Following the USS Abraham Lincoln’s implementation with F-35C Lightning IIs, the USS Carl Vinson has previously operated under the AWOTF strategy.
Bryan Clark and Timothy Walton discuss the proper challenges facing US naval forces in light of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea’s growing challenges in a statement from the Hudson Institute in April 2022.
Clark and Walton point out how these potential adversaries can strengthen their military prowess, especially in precision missiles, which may impede US military operations and make them work farther away.
They stress the value of airpower in achieving the range required to thwart aggression, as marine forces will increasingly rely on airstrikes to keep superiority in tense environments.
In order to deal with these advanced threats and carry out effective sea procedures in a high-risk environment, they stress the need to modernize US marine aviation strategies and capabilities.
In line with Clark and Walton’s analysis, the” Navy Aviation Vision 2030-2035” report outlines US marine aviation’s begins, ways and means to maintain preparation, enhance capabilities and handle challenges from near-peer enemies.
According to the report, US marine aviation’s strategic priorities can be deduced as:
- Ensure that any maritime theater’s US Navy you venture its authority and build sea control.
- Enhancing preparation and lethality: Create a force that is capable of defeating any adversary with superior capabilities and readiness.
- To successfully hinder and fight enemies, align the naval aviation power structure with the US National Defense Strategy.
The document specifies the strategies and work plans US Naval Aviation will use to accomplish its geopolitical goals, specifically:
- Implementing distributed maritime operations ( DMO ) will create a robust, synchronized maritime component that can carry out both lethal and non-lethal operations across a variety of axes and domains.
- Advanced Training Programs: Revolutionize training through initiatives like Naval Aviation Training Next ( NATN), Live/Virtual/Constructive ( LVC ) training, and Air Wing Fallon training to prepare for high-end threats.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with industry to develop open layout systems, ensuring faster and more effective inclusion of new technology.
It also mentions the assets needed to implement the strategy, specifically aircraft carriers, carrier strike wings ( CVW), unmanned aerial systems ( UAS ), advanced weapons ( i. e., hypersonic weapons ), integrated networks and training systems.
But, Matt Wright mentions in a March 2024 US Naval Institute content that while , US naval aircraft is undergoing a major change to the AWOTF strategy, introducing new technologies like the MQ-25A Stingray for flying refueling has been delayed, affecting operating capabilities.
According to Wright, operational readiness is delayed by difficulties incorporating new technologies like the electromagnetic launch system ( EMALS ) and advanced weapons elevators.
He claims that system development plans like the MQ-25A Stingray’s aggressive development plans caused production delays and delayed initial operational capability ( IOC ) dates.
Wright points out that all V-22 varieties have been grounding due to circumstances like the Japan V-22 Osprey accident that caused the shift from C-2A Greyhounds to CMV-22s.
He makes mention of how cost-conscious costs have affected marine aviation’s generational change, as well as the development and introduction of new systems and weapons systems.
At the Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit held in Lexington Park, Maryland, senior Naval Aviation Enterprise officials discussed significant problems facing US naval aviation in May 2024.
The panel, including US Naval Air Systems Command ( NAVAIR ) commander Vice Admiral Carl Chebi and other high-ranking officials, addressed issues such as recruitment and retention, budget constraints and the need for rapid innovation to keep pace with industry capabilities.
They emphasized the value of flexibility in the selection process and the use of existing regulators to improve warfighting capabilities. The conversation also highlighted the role of automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning in improving aviation security and transportation, especially in high-end conflict situations.
The summit put forth the ongoing efforts to update training methods, including replacing the T-45 Goshawk and working with service and industry partners to create better weapons solutions.
In a March 2024 article for Naval News, Alex Luck points out that China’s naval aviation capabilities are improving as a result of significant changes to its carrier and aircraft programs.
Luck mentions that the new Fujian carrier is undergoing sea trials while China’s Liaoning carrier has completed a midlife modernization in Dalian.
He says that the Fujian, China’s first catapult-equipped carrier, is expected to enhance the People’s Liberation Army-Navy’s ( PLA-N) operational capacity.
He notes the introduction of new Chinese aircraft, including the KJ-600 airborne early warning and control plane, which resembles the US Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye, and the J-35 fighter, designed to replace the J-15 as a next-generation aircraft.
Luck says the J-15, China’s mainstay carrier-based fighter on the Liaoning and Shandong carriers, has also seen developments with variants for training, electronic warfare and catapult launch.
He points out that these advancements indicate a significant improvement in China’s efforts to modernize its carrier fleet and increase its maritime power projection capabilities.