This year’s naval aviation issue comes two months earlier than in the past, in part to allow our coverage to coincide with the annual Tailhook symposium, which moved from September to August. This issue includes a number of thought-provoking articles, beginning with “Envisioning a Multirole Future for the MQ-25,” by Lieutenant (j.g.) Josh Hano, U.S. Navy. Lieutenant Hano recalls previous naval aircraft that were designed for a specific purpose but took on other roles during their service. The Avenger, Skywarrior, Intruder, and Viking all provide lessons for the Stingray program.
It has been more than a decade since the subject of tactical air control squadrons (TACRons) has been in our pages, but Commander William Miante’s timing is perfect for “There is no ‘T’ for Training in the Warfighting TACRons.” Miante, the commanding officer of TACRon 22, writes, “TACRons today are expeditionary, built for a fight with a peer adversary, and a critical link in the Navy–Marine Corps team that coordinate fires and flights to keep aircraft on mission and out of harm’s way.”
Navy Lieutenant Commander Nick Johnson, an F/A-18E Super Hornet pilot, examines the utility of aerostats within a potential “kill mesh” as part of distributed maritime operations in “If the Balloon Goes Up.” At relatively low cost, aerostats could put a lot more sensors airborne, for longer periods of time, inside the first
island chain.
Last year, Denis Clift wrote “A Century of Carrier Aviation in the Pages of Proceedings” to honor the 100th anniversary of the aircraft carrier. This year, Mr. Clift scoured our archives for aviation stories not centered on flattops. “Heavier & Lighter than Air” details everything from “man-lifting kites” (!!) to balloons, airships, flying boats, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft. Some famous names in naval aviation come to life, including Chambers, Moffett, and Saufley. One theme jumps out—a century ago, a lot of brave naval aviators were boldly experimenting with some crazy technology.
The American Sea Power Project is back this month with “Time To Recalibrate: The Navy Needs Tactical Nuclear Weapons . . . Again” by retired Navy Commander Paul Giarra. Sure to be controversial, this article recognizes the gap in U.S. tactical nuclear weapon capabilities compared with those of adversary nations. The former commander, U.S. Strategic Command, noted that this gap limits U.S. strategic and warfighting options and escalation control, and it has impacts on U.S. alliances, in particular with Japan and South Korea. Nuclear weapons are a sobering topic—one we do not raise lightly. But ongoing developments in China, Russia, and North Korea demand an informed conversation, and we invite your thoughts and feedback.
Finally, don’t miss this month’s Asked & Answered column. We asked aviators, “What was the one aircraft carrier or other shipboard aviation landing you will never forget?” Their answers—ranging from vertigo to zero visibility to helicopter rope seats—do not disappoint!
