The Navy’s Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office (PMA-226) F-5N+/F+ Avionics Reconfiguration and Tactical Enhancement/Modernization for Inventory Standardization (ARTEMIS) program successfully reached Milestone C decision June 28, effectively moving into production and deployment. 

NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Carl Chebi recognized the Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office (PMA-226) Adversary Aircraft team with a NAVAIR Commander’s Award for procurement with most innovative reduction in cost and cycle time during the Commander’s Awards  ceremony April 20 at  Patuxent River.

The Adversary Aircraft team’s novel strategy to modernize Navy and Marine Corps F-5 aircraft reduced development cost by 78 percent, procurement cycle time by 68 percent and resulted in fleet delivery of the first modernized F-5 aircraft in less than three years.

The Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office (PMA-226) welcomed a new program manager during a ceremony held 7 April in Cherry Point, N.C. 

Program Executive Officer for Aviation Common Systems and Commercial Services (PEO(CS)), Mr. Gary M. Kurtz, presided over the change of command ceremony during which Capt. Gregory Sutton assumed command of PMA-226 from Capt. Ramiro Flores. 

The Navy is conducting planned, routine training missions using contracted air support F-5 aircraft out of Moffett Federal Airfield (Moffett) in Santa Clara County, Calif. until mid-March.  

The Navy’s Program Executive Officer for Aviation Common Systems and Commercial Services (PEO(CS)), Mr. Gary M. Kurtz, presented the DoD Distinguished Civilian Service Award to Edward A. “Andy” Wilkinson, principal deputy program manager for the Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office (PMA-226) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. on 3 Feb. 

The Navy’s Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office (PMA-226) recently delivered the first F-5N aircraft to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. to begin ground and flight test of the F-5 block upgrade prototype project. Aligned with the Navy’s strategic imperative of increasing capability and enhancing lethality, the newly redesigned tactical fighters will include features found on modern aircraft that improve both safety and readiness.