AUSTRALIA — Australia has selected MQ-28A Ghost Bat as the military designator and name for the first Australian-produced military combat aircraft in over 50 years. Australia’s Defence Minister, Peter Dutton MP, announced the designator and name at a dedicated ceremony…
Cutter Stratton Returns to Alameda Following 97-Day South Pacific Patrol
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) returned to Alameda, California, March 19 after completing an Operation Blue Pacific Patrol in the south Pacific, the Coast Guard Pacific Area said in a release. While underway,…
U.S. Navy Selects Leidos for Undersea Warfare Systems Contract
RESTON, Va. — Leidos has been awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Information Warfare Systems Command to support the service’s undersea warfare systems, the company said March 17. This single-award, Seaport Next Generation task order has a…
U.S., Japan Navy Chiefs Conduct Call, Discuss Defense Cooperation
WASHINGTON — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met virtually with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura on March 17, the CNO’s Public Affairs office said in a release. During the video conference, the two…
U.S. Navy Concludes ICEX 2022
U.S. NAVY ICE CAMP QUEENFISH — The U.S. Navy is concluding its Ice Exercise 2022 this week, wrapping up nearly three weeks of research and training on, above and below Arctic Ocean ice, said Lt. Seth Koenig, commander, Submarine Force…
Bollinger Submits Final Proposal to Build Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter
LOCKPORT, La. — Bollinger Shipyards submitted on March 18 its final proposal to the United States Coast Guard to build Stage 2 of the Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter program. If chosen, Bollinger would construct and deliver a total of 11…
HII Celebrates Centennial of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — HII, America’s only builder of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers., will recognize the 100-year legacy of aircraft carriers this week and celebrate the next century of U.S Navy aircraft carriers. Brought into service 100 years ago on March…
Budget Funds 37 F-35s for U.S. Naval Aviation in 2022
ARLINGTON, Va. — The fiscal 2022 budget, finally signed into law almost halfway through the fiscal year, provides for 37 F-35 Lightning II strike fighters for the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as 12 FA-18 Super Hornet strike fighters. …
Elements of Kearsarge ARG and 22nd MEU Deploy
NORFOLK, Va. — Elements of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit departed Naval Station Norfolk and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for a regularly scheduled deployment on March 16, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs said in…
DoD Announces Release of JADC2 Implementation Plan
ARLINGTON, Va. — Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks signed the Department of Defense Joint All-Domain Command and Control Implementation Plan on March 15, 2022, the department said in a release. JADC2 is a warfighting necessity to keep pace with…