Release from Booz Allen Hamilton 

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August 29, 2023 

MCLEAN, Va. – Booz Allen Hamilton has opened a new Pax River Mission Systems Integration Facility (MSIF) in California, Maryland, expanding upon the firm’s specialized engineering ecosystem of resources to tackle growing client challenges across the Department of Defense (DOD). The new 20,000-square-foot, multiconfigurable facility provides a first-of-its-kind space in the region to rapidly design, develop, prototype, integrate, test, and evaluate innovative solutions that address the warfighter’s evolving and dynamic needs. 

Strategically located minutes away from the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, and 60 miles south of Washington, DC, the MSIF will act as a hub for next-generation technology and is an extension of Booz Allen’s Lexington Park office, established in 1979, and home to more than 400 employees serving a broad spectrum of clients. 

“Our new facility is an answer and solution to the Department of Defense’s call to create and field technical capabilities at speed and scale, rapidly accelerating readiness and the deployment of new technology into the field,” said Booz Allen Global Defense Sector President Judi Dotson. “Our goal is to enable our clients to be at the forefront of meeting mission demands, with the capability and capacity to support quick-turn integration needs across all services—and the MSIF will do just that.” 

With this expansion, Booz Allen is further delivering on its goal of expanding engineering capabilities and delivering best-in-class technologies, expanding on current limitations, boosting existing capabilities, and empowering government, industry, and local partnerships, providing support to the Naval Air Systems Command and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Southern Maryland and the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia, as well as Navy and DOD engineering clients across the firm.  

“The MSIF is an integral expansion of Southern Maryland’s ongoing contribution to the defense of our nation,” said Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05). “This investment from Booz Allen will help enable St. Mary’s County to be a leader in developing new technologies and furthering current capabilities for the Navy and the Department of Defense as a whole. I am proud to welcome this facility to our community.” 

The space features a high bay garage, hardware and software integration labs, an anechoic chamber, and a specialized testing lab to support design, testing and evaluation, warehousing space, and more. The facility will provide integrated engineering capabilities that are innovative, open, and secure, removing costly barriers and enabling the U.S. government full flexibility to design, develop, upgrade, and sustain weapons systems organically. 

Booz Allen is proud of its long-standing community support efforts in the region, serving causes including Christmas in April, Special Olympics, Three Oaks Homeless Shelter, and St. Mary’s Hospice, as well as environmental initiatives such as Adopt a Road and International Coastal Clean-Up.   

“Our investment in the MSIF builds upon more than 40 years in Southern Maryland with a continued commitment to regional growth and positive community impact while enabling a continuation of services to design and deploy critical solutions to meet our clients’ complex mission needs,” said Dottie Simeona, senior vice president, leading Booz Allen’s Naval Air and Naval Sea Warfare Center businesses. “We are thrilled to officially open our latest facility, which will be a critical component of our expanding engineering ecosystem and will provide a space for Booz Allen’s robust bench of on-hand mission experts to rapidly engineer, integrate, and test solutions with the synergy of emerging technology and prototyping.” 

Release from Fairbanks Morse 

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BELOIT, Wis. – September 26, 2023 – Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), is expanding its product and service capabilities through agreements with Massa Products Corporation (Massa) and Industrias Ferri S.A. (Ferri).   

Through its exclusive North American maritime defense agreement with Massa, a longstanding leader in cutting-edge design and manufacturing of sonar and ultrasonic products, Fairbanks Morse Defense expands its service capabilities with sonar transducer systems, cables, and connectors.  

“Massa Products Corporation is excited to collaborate with FMD,” said Dawn F. Massa Stancavish, President/CEO & CINO, Massa Products Corporation. “We feel that competency is our bond at a time when our Navy needs to count on the industry to deliver high-quality reliable products and services in real-time.”  

Industrias Ferri S.A. has supported maritime industry clients as a leading manufacturer of deck equipment and auxiliary machinery for over five decades. This sales and service agreement will expand the breadth of product and service offerings of Fairbanks Morse Defense by bolstering the company’s ability to provide U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, and U.S. Coast Guard customers with OEM equipment, parts, overhauls, and other services for accommodation ladders, gangways, and other deck machinery.  

“Ferri is dedicated to providing high-quality manufacturing and support to the maritime industry. We have developed our technical expertise for over 50 years, and we look forward to bringing this knowledge and skill to our new collaboration with Fairbanks Morse Defense,” said Patricio Fernández, CEO, Industrias Ferri S.A. 

In addition to providing support for turnkey service solutions for Fairbanks Morse Defense customers, Massa and Ferri will have access to FMD’s global network of highly trained field service technicians and the defense contractor’s strategically located service centers.  

“Massa and Ferri are highly respected leaders in their fields, and our collaborations with them increase our ability to respond quickly to our customer’s needs with the right parts, services, and maintenance so they are always mission ready,” said Jay McFadyen, Chief Commercial Officer and President of FMD Services.  

Fairbanks Morse Defense currently powers more than 80% of the Navy’s ships with medium-speed applications. The defense contractor has rapidly expanded its array of best-in-class marine technologies, OEM parts, and turnkey services for marine defense customers through expansion and the acquisitions of companies such as Ward Leonard, Hunt Valve, Maxim Watermakers, Federal Equipment Company, Research Tool & Die, and Welin Lambie. Additional exclusive product and service capability agreements can be found on the Fairbanks Morse Defense website.  

Release from HENSOLDT 

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Follow-on contract to equip Legend-class National Security Cutters 

ULM, Germany – 25 September 2023 – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is equipping the US Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) with its proven TRS-3D multi-mode naval radar. The US Coast Guard awarded HENSOLDT a follow-on contract worth approximately $10 million to deliver a further radar in its latest ‘Baseline D’ version to be installed at the Coast Guard training center (TRACEN), Petaluma, California. Up to now, HENSOLDT has delivered 12 radars to the US Coast Guard’s NSC program. 

“With more than 50 radars in service with Coast Guards and Navies worldwide, our TRS-3D naval radar has proven itself”, HENSOLDT CEO Thomas Müller says. “We are making sure that our customers capitalize on continuous technology enhancements.” 

The TRS-3D Baseline D, with the US designation AN/SPS-75, utilizes gallium nitride (GaN) and solid-state emitter technology to deliver traditional TRS-3D robust performance while improving reliability and options for future development. HENSOLDT’s TRS-3D radars have been aboard every NSC since the program’s inception. TRS-3D is a three-dimensional, multi-mode naval radar for air and surface surveillance, target acquisition, self-defense, gunfire support and aircraft control. It automatically detects and tracks all types of air and sea targets, alleviating crew workload requirements. 

HENSOLDT has decades of experience in radar and actively drives the further development of key technologies in this field. In addition to naval and ground-based air defence radars, the company’s portfolio also includes fighter radars as well as ground surveillance and space radars. 

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

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From Julie Ann Ripley  

22 September 2023 

SAN DIEGO — USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), the 11th ship of the Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser, recognized more than 37 years of naval service during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Sept. 22. 

During the ceremony guest speaker, Bunker Hill’s second commanding officer, Vice Adm. Rodney Rempt, USN, Ret., wished the current crew fair winds and following seas as they bid farewell to their ship. 
 
Bunker Hill’s final commanding officer, Capt. Jason Rogers reflected on the service of his crew and those who came before, addressing the decommissioning of this distinguished vessel. 
 
“With great pride, I acknowledge the dedication and valor of the sailors who served aboard this ship for the past 37 years,” said Rogers. “The USS Bunker Hill’s legacy is a testament to our commitment to national security. As we lower the flag one final time, we honor the past while embracing the Navy’s future. Our sailors’ unwavering dedication and the ship’s service will never be forgotten. Today’s decommissioning ceremony, September 22, 2023, marks the end of an era, but the spirit of Bunker Hill lives on in all of us.” 
 
Capt. Rogers also retired from active service during the ceremony. Marine 1st Lt. Mathieu Rogers, assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, reflected on his father’s lifelong guidance. “You demonstrated that finding your passion and sticking to it, not giving up,” said 1st Lt. Rogers turning to his father, “is not only a rewarding thing to do, it’s the right thing to do.” 
 
Bunker Hill maintained a crew of 40 officers, 31 chiefs, and 300 enlisted Sailors. The ship was built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipyard Company and commissioned Sept. 20, 1986, at Charlestown in Boston. It was the first U.S. surface warship to be equipped with the below-deck, advanced MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), a multi-warfare missile-launching system capable of striking targets in the air, on and under the ocean surface, and on land. 
 
Bunker Hill operated in the North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, supporting 10 Earnest Will convoys in 1987. The ship arrived in its new homeport of Naval Base Yokosuka, Japan the following year. At the end of January 1991 the ship launched its first Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs), a total of 28, against targets in Iraq from its station in the North Arabian Gulf, in support of Operation Desert Storm. It also supported Operations Desert Shield. In 2008, it was one of the Coalition ships from the British-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 maintaining a presence off the east coast of Africa in response to the recent events in Somalia. The following year it was the first guided-missile cruiser to receive a complete set of upgrades as part of the Navy’s Cruiser Modernization program including a new Aegis Weapons System, the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), and SPQ-9B Radar. The guided-missile cruiser made full speed from off the coast of Panama to reach Haiti, joining U.S. military efforts on the Caribbean island devastated by a massive earthquake in 2010. 
 
The first and second U.S. Navy ships named Bunker Hill honored the Revolutionary War battle fought primarily on adjacent Breed’s Hill at Charlestown, Massachusetts, on June 17, 1775. 
 
The battle occurred in the midst of the larger siege of the city of Boston, when the Americans learned that the British intended to deploy troops to some of the heights surrounding the city in order to command its vital harbor. Nearly 1,200 patriots marched stealthily onto the peninsula on the night of the 16th and 17th and dug defensive positions. Despite the colonists’ secrecy, the British detected the move and their ships and batteries opened fire on the positions while they landed troops to carry the newly established works. American reinforcements during the battle raised their strength to about 2,400 men, and the British to more than 3,000, though not all the men on either side took a direct part in the fighting. American snipers in Charlestown harassed the British until their ships fired incendiary shot that set much of the town ablaze. In the meanwhile, the British resolutely assaulted the colonist’s positions twice, and both times the patriots, with equal resolution, fired into the regulars and Royal Marines and scythed them down. The British regrouped and attacked a third time as the patriots began to run out of ammunition, and finally drove the Americans back at the point of the bayonet. The Americans inflicted twice the number of casualties on their assailants—an estimated 450 patriots fell as opposed to 1,054 regulars and Royal Marines. The colonist’s valiant defiance imbued them with confidence that they could stand up to the British, while the crown’s losses shook their officers and they often maneuvered prudently to avoid direct assaults against entrenched patriots in subsequent battles. 
 
The decommissioning of CG 52 supports department-wide business process reform initiatives to free up time, resources, and manpower in support of increased lethality. 
 
Modern U.S. Navy guided-missile cruisers perform primarily in a Battle Force role. These ships are multi-mission surface combatants capable of supporting carrier battle groups, amphibious forces or operating independently and as flagships of surface action groups. Cruisers are equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles giving them additional long range strike warfare capability. Some Aegis Cruisers have been outfitted with a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability. 
 
The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore. 

Release from Coast Guard 14^th District

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SANTA RITA, Guam — Marking the culmination of a 46-day patrol, the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) crew completed a series of operations in partnership with Papua New Guinea and other regional allies, bolstering maritime security and resource management in exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and on the high seas, returning to Guam on Sept. 24, 2023. 
 
The recent patrol operation specifically supported the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s annual Operation Island Chief at the outset of the patrol and the broader U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Blue Pacific, further solidifying the U.S. commitment to resource security and regional stability. 
 
Expanded Partnerships and Engagements 
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing fundamentally erodes national security and exacerbates existing maritime governance gaps. This patrol significantly contributed to closing those gaps. By navigating the EEZs of the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Papua New Guinea, Myrtle Hazard’s crew strengthened the rule of law at sea, which the U.S. Coast Guard is uniquely positioned to enforce. 
 
They also made port calls in Manus Island, Rabaul, Port Moresby, Lae in Papua New Guinea, and Cairns, Australia. This visit was the first by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel to Lae, laying the foundation for future visits. These stops also facilitated engagement with agency representatives throughout Papua New Guinea, including the government of Papua New Guinea, their National Fisheries Authority and Customs Service, and the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby. In multiple locations, the crew worked with the PNG Defence Force, and in Manus, they also hosted the deployed U.S. Navy Seabees Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE. The team was fortunate to observe PNG Independence Day in Lae, deepening cultural bonds.  
 
The recent joint maritime patrol between the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple Papua New Guinea agencies was a historic step forward in U.S.-PNG relations. The collaborative operation led to advancements in maritime domain awareness and law enforcement expertise and successfully countered illegal activities like unregulated fishing. With the Western and Central Pacific Oceans being a significant source of the world’s tuna, the joint effort emphasized the mutual commitment to protect valuable marine resources. The patrol yielded six contact and observation reports, one of which led to immediate action by the PNG Fisheries Authority against a foreign fishing vessel crew for a Vessel Monitoring System violation. Additionally, four boardings of foreign fishing vessels took place to enforce regulations and deter illegal activity in PNG’s EEZ. These outcomes highlight the operation’s regional impact and set a strong foundation for future cooperation. 
 
In Cairns, Australia, the Myrtle Hazard team engaged in memorable interactions with the Australian Royal Navy and Border Force. Notably, an all-out, full-court, officiated basketball game took place, with members from both services participating—highlighting the ever-growing camaraderie. They also spent time at the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College.  
 
Milestone Achievements and Experiences 
“Our 46-day patrol has been an exceptional journey. The sheer dedication and grit exhibited by my crew have been nothing short of remarkable,” said Lt. Jalle Merritt, commanding officer of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard. “From once-in-a-lifetime experiences like observing PNG Independence Day to earning new qualifications, this patrol signifies the hard work, joy of human connection, and increased competence we’ve gained.” 
 
During the patrol, a line-crossing ceremony at the equator en route to Guam marked a significant rite of passage for the crew, symbolizing their transformation into more seasoned mariners. 
 
“I had the honor of serving aboard a 110-foot Island-class patrol boat based out of Guam early in my career. Due to the platform’s capabilities, we were limited in our operational reach to Palau and portions of the Federated States of Micronesia. Today, the FRCs based here are redefining the dynamic for our Service and our regional partners,” said Capt. Nick Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. “From Guam, we’ve expanded our area of operations to areas that include our partners in the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, but also the Republic of Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Nauru. And we have plans to reach the Philippines soon. Most FRCs are engaged in near-coastal operations, but ours are venturing farther, more frequently, substantiating the U.S. Coast Guard’s role as a significant maritime security actor across the Indo-Pacific.” 
 
Strategic Impact 
Building upon last year’s visit by a Guam-based fast response cutter crew and the recently ratified bilateral agreement with PNG, the Myrtle Hazard’s team patrolled 7,484 nautical miles, significantly bolstering maritime security and resource protection in multiple EEZs. The patrol enhanced interoperability with regional allies like PNG and Australia and advanced U.S. national priorities through targeted operations and cultural diplomacy. The patrol also contributed to the broader objectives of the PIF Forum Fisheries Agency’s annual Operation Island Chief and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Blue Pacific, strengthening both bilateral and multilateral relationships in the region. 
 
The Long View 
The U.S. Coast Guard 14th District, based out of Honolulu, Hawaii, and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, continue to foster enduring partnerships with regional allies. With humanitarian Service at its core, the U.S. Coast Guard remains committed to maritime safety, security, and stewardship, solidifying its longstanding reputation in the Pacific as a trusted partner. Plans and additional patrols are already underway for further engagement with regional partners.  
 
The Myrtle Hazard is the 39th 154-foot Sentinel-class FRC, named in honor of the first enlisted woman in the U.S. Coast Guard who served as an electrician and radio operator. The Guam-based cutters serve as a cornerstone for the U.S. Coast Guard’s ongoing commitment to the people of Oceania, focusing on maritime safety, security, and stewardship. 

Release from the Office of Navy Information 

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NEWPORT, R.I. – Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomed international heads of Navy and Coast Guard from nearly 100 nations at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, September 19-22, for the 25th International Seapower Symposium (ISS). 

First held in Newport in 1969, and biennially thereafter, ISS offers a forum for dialogue between international navies, coast guards, and the Marine Corps to bolster maritime security by providing opportunities to collaborate, develop trust, and further navy-to-navy training. 

“Every Navy and Coast Guard represented here contributes to the stability of the global maritime commons,” said Franchetti. “Whether you are countering drug trafficking, human smuggling, illicit weapons transfers, illegal and unregulated fishing or piracy, policing territorial waters, delivering humanitarian aid, food, or medicine to people in need, assisting mariners stranded at sea, escorting cargo transports or tankers, or deploying forces forward, each nation here is a vital link in the chain that forms the global maritime security network.” 

Throughout this year’s symposium, themed “Security Through Partnership,” panels and speakers highlighted the multinational role of allies and partners in competition, crisis, and conflict. 

“We have the opportunity to choose engagement over withdrawal, to promote integration over fragmentation, to favor inclusion over exclusion, to champion collaboration over protectionism, and to choose principles over sheer power, as the basis for a partnership that benefits everyone,” said Franchetti. 

In addition to VCNO, delegates heard remarks from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, and U.S. Naval War College President Rear Adm. Peter Garvin. 

“The United States has always been a maritime nation,” said Kennedy. “From our earliest days, our history was shaped by the sea. As an Atlantic and Pacific power dependent on trade and commerce, the U.S. Navy has always been at the center of our national identity, working to explore and understand the oceans, and keep the seas free and open for all.” 

The symposium included three regional briefs, four panels, and featured delegates from more than 35 countries through a variety of presentations throughout the week. 

Some topics and interest areas discussed included seabed infrastructure; illegal, unreported, and unregulated maritime activity; artificial intelligence; and people. Secretary Del Toro conveyed the significance of discussing these topics as a group. 

“It’s important to recognize that the dialogues we had this week doesn’t end at the closing ceremony. Our entire department is excited to continue engaging with each nation long after we leave Newport,” said Del Toro. “It’s in our collective interest to work together in defense of our shared ideals and preserve a maritime common that is free and open for all to use for the benefit of every nation around the globe.” 

The War College also hosted a technology demonstration consisting of seven exhibit stations showcasing cutting edge U.S. Navy unmanned technology capabilities. ISS delegates had the opportunity to witness real-world applications for selected equipment, gaining concrete technical knowledge, and interacting directly with U.S. Navy subject matter experts. 

As the week concluded, Franchetti thanked the delegates and their spouses for their trust and confidence in the U.S. Navy as a maritime partner. 

“The United States Navy is truly honored to have been able to host you here in Newport, and it was a great privilege for me personally to have spent the last few days with you,” remarked Franchetti. “This symposium is one of the most important events our Navy does, and it’s so meaningful because all of you choose to invest your time and share your thoughts with one another.” 

The next International Seapower Symposium will be held in Newport in 2025. 

Release from the Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

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25 September 2023 

On Sept. 22, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro hosted Department of the Navy Science and Technology Board (DON STB) Chair former Secretary of the Navy Dr. Richard Danzig and members for their first meeting at the Pentagon. 

During an open session, Secretary Del Toro welcomed and swore in the board. In addition, he shared how the board came about, why its work is important to the future of our Navy and Marine Corps, and what his expectations were for the board. 

Secretary Del Toro outlined his vision and mission for the board and expressed the importance of the expertise of the members, highlighting their diversity of disciplines, of expertise and studies, of professional backgrounds and networks, and diversity in their unique personal experiences as citizens of our great nation. 

The Secretary also noted that the board is unlike any Navy science and technology boards of the past—both in terms of the challenges presented for consideration as well as the makeup of the board itself. 

Secretary Del Toro charged members, as thought leaders in their respective disciplines, with exploring the cutting edge technologies the DON is aware of and involved in – as well as the technologies in which the DON is not involved, assessing how they will impact warfighting in all domains – at, above, and below the ocean’s surface, ashore, as well as space and cyberspace. 

Read Secretary Del Toro’s full remarks online. 

Composite of releases from General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII

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GROTON, Conn., and NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (September 25, 2023) — General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics, and HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division announced Sept. 25 that the companies have advanced efforts to integrate additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3-D printing, into the shipbuilding process for nuclear-powered submarines. The use of certified 3D-printed parts has the potential to accelerate construction and delivery of submarines to the U.S. Navy by cutting lead times for critical components. 

The companies have focused on the availability and deployment of marine-based alloys, such as copper-nickel, to provide an alternative to traditional copper-nickel castings. Recently, a copper-nickel deck drain assembly was identified as a candidate for the 3-D printing solution. Working with shipbuilding partner Electric Boat, and supplier AMMCON on the model and proof of concept, NNS successfully created a copper-nickel deck drain part using additive manufacturing. AMMCON is providing final machining and assembly of the part, before it is installed on Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802), to be delivered by NNS. 

“As a leader in additive manufacturing for shipbuilding, we are aggressively looking for opportunities to find ways to incorporate this technology into mainstream shipbuilding,” said Dave Bolcar, NNS vice president of engineering and design. “This collaborative project leverages authorizations made by the Navy that streamline requirements for low-risk additive manufacturing parts. It is possible due to the foresight and longer-term development efforts by our engineers to deploy additive manufacturing marine alloys for shipbuilding.”  

“Our submarine design and engineering teams are focused on working with our supply and construction partners to speed the adoption of innovative technologies,” said Megan Roberts, vice president of quality, waterfront engineering, radiological controls and fleet support for Electric Boat. “These first efforts to install additive-manufactured parts on submarines demonstrate the technology’s potential to dramatically reduce lead times for critical components, which will enable us to deliver more submarines faster, supporting the Navy’s fleet demands.”  

“We are honored to contribute to the ongoing success of the Virginia-class submarine program in this innovative way,” said AMMCON President Darrell Grow. “As a longtime supplier for nuclear-powered submarines, our team understands the importance of these national security assets and remains committed to delivering the critical parts needed for their delivery.”   

As the lead design yard for the Virginia class, Electric Boat will continue work to incorporate additive-manufactured components into the construction stream. The highly digitized process could lead to cost savings and reduced construction schedules for Navy submarines.  

This latest advancement in 3D printing follows HII’s announcement in March that NNS received certification and approval as a vendor for additive manufacturing components on Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) platforms. The highly digitized process could lead to cost savings and reduced production schedules for naval ships. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — General Eric M. Smith was sworn-in as the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps by the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Sept 22, 2023, at the Pentagon, Headquarters Marine Corps said in a release.  

General Smith, who was also the 36th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, had been performing the duties of the Commandant since July 10, 2023.  

“I am grateful the Senate took action to allow the Marine Corps to have a confirmed Commandant, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to continue to serve Marines,” Gen. Smith said. “I remain mindful that dozens of junior Marine officers, families, and their units remain in an unstable position as they wait for confirmation. I look forward to the day when all Marines and their families enjoy the stability they deserve.” 

From By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

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21 September 2023 

YOKOSUKA, Japan – The unmanned surface vessels (USVs) Ranger and Mariner from Unmanned Surface Vessel Division ONE (USVDIV-1) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on Sept. 18 as part of a scheduled port visit during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2. 

IBP 23.2 launched this August and is the third multi-domain unmanned capabilities exercise under U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Experimentation Plan following IBP 23.1 earlier this year. The event will focus on testing and developing capabilities and concepts for medium and large USVs to advanced manned-unmanned teaming in the Indo-Pacific. 
  

“Unmanned and autonomous technologies are key to growing our distributed maritime operations framework.” said Rear Adm. Blake L. Converse, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, who visited the USVs last month on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. “By proliferating our presence in the Pacific and increasing the fleet’s situational awareness and lethality, we give ourselves more options to make better decisions at all levels of leadership.” 
 

Before arriving in Yokosuka, USVDIV-1 also participated in the Navy and Marine Corps’ Large Scale Exercise 2023.During the exercise, USVs have integrated with Carrier Strike Group One to expand its maritime domain awareness in support of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). 

“Through the integration of unmanned platforms in our operations, we continue to forge a culture of learning and innovation within our Navy and with joint partners to deliver warfighting advantage.” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, Carrier Strike Group 1. “Testing and integrating emerging technologies in a demanding, real-world operational environment is vital to providing feedback that informs our progress in this domain.” 
 

The exercise allows USVDIV-1, the command in tactical control of the exercise, to work closely with type commanders to develop concepts of operations for unmanned platforms. 

“Our approach is focused on integrating, exercising, and refining tactics, techniques, and procedures for immediate application into real world operations with the fleet.” said Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, commanding officer of USVDIV-1.  

“Since standing up USVDIV-1 as a pre-commissioning unit in 2021, we continue to turn fleet feedback from exercises into adapting technology and requirement generation in order to provide realistic and impactful capabilities that future USV programs of record will bring to the Navy.” 
 

The port visit marks the first time any U.S. Navy USV has visited Japan as IBP 23.2 is the first exercise to employ USVs in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Following the visit, IBP 23.2 will continue to test, develop and evaluate the integration of unmanned platforms into fleet operations alongside partners and allies to create warfighting advantages and ensure regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.