As the AV-8B continues to sundown, the AV-8B Weapons Systems Program Office (PMA-257) officially transferred command April 1 from Col. Mark
“Ammo” Amspacher to Capt. Gregory “Mancub” Sutton.
Sutton now serves as program manager for both the Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) and PMA-257. Also holding a dual leadership role with both programs is the principal deputy program manager, Sam Hotz.
A retired and demilitarized AV-8B Harrier II+ was inducted into the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, Feb. 14, 2025.
“This is a unique opportunity to preserve and share a vital chapter in aviation history while playing a valuable role in inspiring future generations,” said Col. Mark Amspacher, AV-8B Weapon Systems Program Office (PMA-257) program manager. “I hope this piece of Marine Corps history and embodiment of innovation, courage and dedication motivates younger generations to consider a career in aviation and service within the Marine Corps.”
The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the F/A-18 E/F Infrared Search and Track (IRST) Block II system in November 2024, providing the fleet with an enhanced capability to search, detect and track airborne targets at long range.
The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system in December, bringing a quantum leap in capability over legacy systems with drastic increases in power, target flexibility and jamming technique for naval aviation operations worldwide.
The fleet is one step closer to significant improvements for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye following a recent Delta System Software Configuration (DSSC)-6 Preliminary Design Review (PDR) with the E-2/C-2 Airborne Command & Control Systems Program Office (PMA-231) and industry partner Northrop Grumman.
The DSSC-6 configuration will improve the aircraft significantly by reducing pilot workload, enhanced situational awareness, and bringing vital readiness and reliability upgrades paired with architecture and cybersecurity improvements.
The Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Program Office (PMA-251) is leading the Navy and Marine Corps’ charge to enhance launch and recover tracking through digital application development.
Tasked with managing launch and recovery systems on land and at sea across the globe, Capt. Mike Kline, PMA-251 program manager, is focused on helping warfighters acquire efficient ALRE system management while keeping a focus on safety.
The Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Program Office (PMA-251) Information Systems team is revolutionizing Navy and Marine Corps’ shipboard data management with the Marine Aviation Data Management System (MADMS).
After several years of fleet feedback, design changes and adjustments, MADMS emerged a complete, integrated shipboard information system. It’s designed to digitally integrate operational systems, such as weapons, combat cargo, surface operations, shipboard planning, flight operations, and flight deck management.
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) has selected Jacob Kiehlmeier as the civilian Tester of the Year for 2023. Kiehlmeier served as the lead test engineer for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) Integrated Test Team (ITT) supporting the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Program Office (PMA-234).
Kiehlmeier led a national integrated team and provided oversight during comprehensive testing of the Navy’s NGJ-MB electronic warfare pod. NGJ-MB was developed to augment and ultimately replace the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System on the EA-18G Growler.
The Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges Program Office (PMA-205) and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) are bringing the future of training to student aviators with the new T-45C Goshawk mixed-reality simulator, also known as Project Link.
The Navy is pioneering emerging technologies through the Naval Aviation Training Next (NATN) program, focusing on extended reality for aviation training. Extended reality encompasses virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality, offering immersive experiences by blending virtual and real worlds.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) recently announced that the CF-18 Hornet Extension Project (HEP) achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC), a significant accomplishment in a five-year collaborative effort with the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265). This milestone marks the delivery of the first six HEP2 upgraded fighter aircraft to 3 Wing Bagotville, Canada. In total, 84 aircraft will be upgraded through this project, which will provide all aircraft with HEP 1 interoperability upgrades and 36 aircraft with HEP 2 combat capability upgrades.
