***** 

ARLINGTON, Va. — Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is seeking an opportunity to demonstrate its new launch and recovery platform for large-diameter UUVs (LDUUVs) at sea on a U.S. Navy amphibious landing platform dock ship, a company official said. 

Brian Blanchette, vice president for Quality and Engineering at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding, spoke to reporters in a teleconference at West 2023 on Feb. 14, a trade show and symposium of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the U.S. Naval Institute, and said the company would welcome a demonstration of the Pharos launch and recovery system from the well deck of an LPD either underway or in port.  

The Pharos system is a prototype cradle large enough to accommodate an LDUUV than can be streamed behind the well deck of an LPD or a well-deck-equipped amphibious assault ship (LHA/LHD) to launch the LDUUV or recover it. The cradle is tethered to a winch. 

The Pharos concept was developed by HII and underwent additional testing through cooperative agreements with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Florida, and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Rhode Island. 

The Pharos was tested dockside in the HII Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi in June 2022 and towed in a river, Blanchette said. The payload for the demonstration was HII’s Proteus LDUUV. 

He said that interface testing was conducted in September 2022 with a surrogate for the Navy’s Snakehead LDUUV, followed in October 2022 with a ballast/de-ballast test with the Snakehead.  

Scalable Concept 

“When we went through the design process for this vehicle [Pharos], we did computations, including dynamic studies, to evaluate where in the wake zone of the LPD would be a favorable location for a launch and recovery vehicle and also did model basin testing at the University of New Orleans in their tow tank to look at a physical scale model and better understand the capabilities of the system at speed simulating a tow. 

“We feel like we understand some of the challenges and have designed the system around those, but we look forward to at-sea testing to further validate the concept,” he said. “We are in talks with the Navy trying to find a target of opportunity to interface with an LPD either pier-side or at sea.”  

HII also plans this year to integrate the Pharos with the REMUS 6000 UUV. 

Blanchette said the Pharos concept is scalable and could be built to accommodate extra-large-diameter UUVs such as the Orca being developed by Boeing for the Navy. 

Release from Austal USA

***** 

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 

San Diego, Calif. – Austal USA celebrated the opening of the company’s new San Diego waterfront ship repair facility today during an afternoon reception that brought together military and community leaders, elected officials, and representatives from across the ship repair industry. 

The shipyard, located adjacent to Naval Base San Diego, will provide full-service repair, maintenance and modernization services for small surface combatants, unmanned and autonomous vessels, and auxiliary ships. 

Since finalizing an agreement for the property over a year ago, Austal USA has invested over $100 million in facility upgrades and a new floating dry dock to transform the facility. The 15-acre site now provides 678 feet of improved San Diego Bay shoreline, 80,000 square feet of covered working space, and has been equipped with new pier fenders and moorings, modernized shore power conversions, and enhanced security. 

“As much as this is a significant day for Austal USA, this is a significant day for our Nation, Navy and Coast Guard customer, the National City community and surrounding Port tenants, as well as our fellow industry colleagues,” stated Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh. “Together, we have a shared commitment to maintaining an operationally ready and available surface fleet and we are proud to join a community here on the southwest waterfront dedicated to that mission.”  

Austal USA is currently executing its first availability in its new facility, the post shakedown of the future USS Canberra (LCS 30). With the company’s new floating dry dock on schedule to be fully operational by summer 2023, Austal USA will have the capability to execute more extensive depot maintenance on Littoral Combat Ships, Frigates, and other similar sized surface combatants and auxiliaries. 

“Getting our Nation’s ships ready and out to sea is critically important. Our team responded to the need to increase capacity here in San Diego and we will similarly respond to the need to deliver ships safely from their availabilities on-time, on-budget, and warfighting ready,” Murdaugh said. “Our team is energized and we’re ready to get to work.” 

With repair and service capabilities previously established in Mobile, Ala. and Singapore, recent expansions into steel shipbuilding, and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va., the San Diego shipyard opening continues Austal USA’s growth as a full service defense provider. 

Release from Northrop Grumman

***** 

Multi-platform demonstration showcased interoperability among F-35, MQ-4C Triton, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and naval ships 

SAN DIEGO – Feb. 13, 2022 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully demonstrated its gateway technology in a flight test that proved the ability to connect airborne platforms with naval assets. The first-of-its-kind demonstration was conducted with Naval Air Systems Command, Office of Naval Research, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and BAE Systems. 

“Our gateways provide an open, secure and resilient solution needed to enable information advantage for our customers,” said Ben Davies, vice president and general manager, network information solutions, Northrop Grumman. “This powerful combination expands the mission sets of maritime platforms to deliver a seamlessly connected fleet – a critical step as the U.S. Navy achieves its naval operational architecture to enable distributed maritime operations.” 

Equipped on Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton Flying Test Bed, the airborne gateway shared fifth-generation sensor data to ground-based simulators that represented an F-35, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, U.S. Navy Aegis class destroyers and carrier strike groups. The gateway integrated with Triton’s radar and artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to significantly enhance situational awareness across previously disconnected platforms. The addition of the gateway on Triton expands data sharing and will improve the warfighter’s ability to stay ahead of the adversary and make decisions faster across a vast and diverse environment. 

“Triton’s altitude, persistence, and robust communication links make it an ideal candidate to host the Gateway system,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, global surveillance, Northrop Grumman. ”This demonstration highlighted gateway technology enhancements to Triton that would enable information dominance across distributed maritime assets; including access to the F-35’s robust sensor suite and the E-2D’s battle management capabilities.” 

Northrop Grumman recently demonstrated another gateway solution and also unveiled Australia’s first Triton. Northrop Grumman’s family of systems brings enhanced interoperability between joint and coalition forces across air and sea. 

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 95,000 employees define possible every day.

Release from Sikorsky

***** 

Connecticut factory busy building multi-mission helicopters 

STRATFORD, Conn., Feb. 13, 2023 – Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), delivered two CH-53K helicopters to the U.S. Marine Corps in the final quarter of 2022. These CH-53K heavy lift helicopters join the seven already in operation at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. 

“Sikorsky’s employees are using advanced technologies to manufacture the CH-53K helicopter, which increases capabilities and survivability to the U.S. Marine Corps,” said Bill Falk, director Sikorsky CH-53K program. “With the CH-53K’s transformative technologies, more is possible for the Marine Corps and our allies when deterring threats in the changing battlefield landscape.” 

The CH53K’s heavy-lift capabilities exceed all other U.S. Department of Defense rotary wing platforms and is the only heavy-lift helicopter that will remain in production through 2032 and beyond. 

Production Picks Up in 2023 

Sikorsky is on track to deliver more multi-mission King Stallion™ helicopters to the U.S. Marine Corps in 2023. 

The U.S Navy declared Full Rate Production for the CH-53K program in December 2022; a decision that is expected to increase production to more than 20 helicopters annually in the coming years. The expanded production includes twelve (12) aircraft in various stages of production for the government of Israel. 

Sikorsky is procuring long-lead items and critical materials to support ramping CH-53K production to full rate production in its digital factory. 

U.S. Marine on CH-53K: “A Level of Safety You Can’t Get Anywhere Else” 

The CH-53K is an intelligent aircraft developed to 21^st century standards, bringing improved safety and survivability to the warfighter. The CH-53K helicopter will provide many decades of world-wide heavy lift and multi-mission service to the Marine Corps, the Joint Force and our Allies. 

A full authority digital fly-by-wire Flight Control System (FCS) is one of many impressive capabilities setting the CH-53K King Stallion™ heavy lift helicopter apart from any other heavy lift aircraft. “Full authority” means the FCS provides all the aircraft motion – not just supplementing the pilot for stability. 

A digital fly-by-wire FCS is an electronic flight control system teamed with a digital computer that replaces mechanical control systems in an aircraft. It makes the aircraft easier to handle in degraded visual environments. 

For pilots, like Marine Corps Capt. Chris Vanderweerd, the system provides more predictable and stable control responses to improve safety and mission effectiveness. 

“We will take up to 30 fully loaded Marines and [are] able to insert them into a zone in a timely and [safe] manner where they don’t have to risk going in via convoy,” said Vanderweerd, who is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461. “We can take them airborne and cut the time drastically that they are in enemy engagement zone essentially.” 

Watch the full video here. 

“The whole fly-by-wire system is awesome,” said Staff Sgt. Dakota Schneider, crew chief with Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS) 1, who is supporting the CH-53K at MCAS New River. “It will bring a level of safety that you can’t get anywhere else.” 

Watch the full video here. 

For additional information, visit our website. 

Release from CAES 

***** 

February 13, 2023 

CAES to Provide Support to the Program Covering Spares, Engineering Services, and Repair for Antenna Array Panel Assemblies 

Arlington, Va. — CAES, a leading provider of mission-critical advanced RF technology, has been awarded an IDIQ contract with value to $38.5M over a five-year period from the U.S. Navy for spares, engineering services, and repairs on antenna array panel assemblies to support the SEWIP Block 2 program. 

The contract was awarded on a sole source basis. Work will be performed at CAES’ Lansdale, Pennsylvania, site and is expected to be complete by February 2028. 

“CAES has a history of performance on critical programs that help our military keep pace as needs evolve,” said Dr. Rob Smith, Senior Vice President and Division General Manager, CAES. “Our extensive knowledge of electronic warfare systems and flawless execution makes us a trusted partner of choice. We’re honored to support the Navy as it continues to implement and maintain essential programs.” 

For over 40 years, CAES has remained one of the premier suppliers of advanced electronic systems, helping to support warfighters in the changing electronic warfare landscape. CAES has supported the SEWIP Block 2 program over the past 10 years, providing antenna array panel assemblies and spares to continue to improve passive electronic counter surveillance capabilities. 

The SEWIP program has upgraded existing AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare systems. Block 2 has added new defensive technologies and functional capabilities to electronic warfare systems, including improved electronic support receivers and combat system interfaces. These capabilities have allowed the Navy to better detect threats and provide greater situational awareness. 

CAES is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced electronics and mission systems for defense and commercial use. CAES enables customers to fully exploit the electromagnetic spectrum by combining our decades of experience with electronic warfare systems and advanced technology. For more information about CAES’s electronic warfare capabilities, visit our website here.

About CAES 
CAES is a pioneer of advanced electronics for the most challenging defense and aerospace trusted systems. As a leading provider of advanced RF technology to the United States aerospace and defense industry, CAES delivers high-reliability RF and digital solutions that enable our customers to ensure a safer, more secure planet. On land, at sea and in the air, CAES’ extensive experience in the RF market and enhanced manufacturing capabilities are at the forefront of mission-critical military and aerospace innovation. www.caes.com 

Release from BAE Systems 

******* 

9 Feb 2023 

BAE Systems has today marked the start of construction of the third Dreadnought Class submarine, Warspite, at its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.  

Warspite is the third of four Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines being designed and built by BAE Systems. Due to enter service from the early 2030s, the boats will carry the UK’s nuclear deterrent and be the biggest, most powerful and technically advanced submarines ever delivered to the Royal Navy. Construction of the first two boats, Dreadnought and Valiant, is already well underway. 

Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Submarines business, said: 

“Today’s milestone is a really significant moment for the thousands of employees here at BAE Systems and across the submarines enterprise who are working together to deliver the Dreadnought Class. 

“We are immensely proud of the role we play in delivering this truly national endeavour for the Royal Navy and our contribution to protecting national security.” 

Attending today’s ceremony, Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk KC MP, said: 

“Our nuclear deterrent protects every UK citizen from the most extreme threats, every minute of every day and progress on the Dreadnought Class is crucial to maintaining our national security. 

“This milestone is a significant step forward in the Dreadnought programme, supporting thousands of jobs and apprenticeships across the country and protecting the UK and our allies for decades to come.” 

BAE Systems Submarines makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, supporting more than 11,000 jobs, the vast majority of which are in Barrow-in-Furness, in the north west of England. The business is continuing to grow its workforce and this year it expects to recruit more than 2,000 new employees. In addition, a record number of apprentices and graduates will join the business with more than 800 roles available in 2023. This early careers population will learn their trade working on one of the world’s most complex engineering programmes. 

Over the life of the Dreadnought programme, an estimated £7.5 billion will be spent with UK suppliers, supporting upwards of 11,800 jobs in the supply chain. 

Alongside the Dreadnought Class, BAE Systems is delivering seven Astute Class hunter killer submarines, four of which are in-service with the Royal Navy. Design and concept work is also underway on the Submersible Ship Nuclear Replacement (SSNR) programme, the eventual replacement to the Astute Class. 

Release from the U.S. Navy Chief of Information 

***** 

11 February 2023, From Capt. MacKenzie Margroum TF 61/2 

Marines and Sailors from Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), commanded by Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy, operating under U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) and U.S. Sixth Fleet arrived at Incirlik Air Base in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, Feb. 9. 

The U.S. Department of Defense established a Command and Control Center, commanded by Priddy, to support requirements from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and to coordinate all U.S. military operations, following a 7.8-magnititude earthquake that tragically struck Türkiye on Feb. 6. 

“We are here in support of USAID to assist the government and people of Türkiye during this time of need,” said Priddy. “Right now, the Navy-Marine Corps team is working alongside the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to support the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) as they provide aid to the people of Türkiye.” 

Currently, TF 61/2 is overseeing the additional arrival of several U.S. military helicopters. The helicopters arriving include two UH-60s, three HH-60s, and three CH-47s from the U.S. Army, and a few U.S. Navy MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters from the USS GEORGE H W BUSH. These aircraft are in addition to the four UH-60 helicopters currently supporting aid from Incirlik. The primary mission of these aircraft is to support transportation and logistics for the DART and the two U.S. Urban Search and Rescue teams. 

“Our forward deployed integration with U.S. Sixth Fleet enabled us to rapidly respond to this whole of government effort,” said Priddy. “This is the value of the blue-green team, a dynamic world-wide deployable crisis response force.” 

TF 61/2 Marines and Sailors join other U.S. European Command components already on station, in addition to our U.S. allies and partners. The U.S. has helped facilitate 1337 total international aircraft sorties since the recovery efforts initiated. 

“Being able to support USAID’s humanitarian effort is an incredible opportunity,” said Lt. Michael Weaver, a Navy medical planner with TF 61/2. “We are here to assist the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team as they assess the damage, identify priority needs, and coordinate with the Government of Türkiye.” 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The maritime forces of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and their allied and partner navies have enjoyed considerable success in recent months in intercepting Iranian arms shipments to Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Navy’s regional commander said. 

“In fact, in just the last two months alone, five major interdictions at sea have resulted in U.S. and partner maritime forces seizing more than 5,000 weapons, 1.6 million rounds of ammunition, 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets, over 2,000 kilograms of propellant that are used for rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, and $60 million worth of illegal drugs,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet and commander, Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command, speaking Feb. 13 during an off-camera, on-the-record briefing transcript of United States-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group Meetings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  

“And these numbers are part of an overall two-year trend. In 202 — or rather, since 2021 we’ve seized over a billion — with a B — dollars in illicit drugs and nearly 15,000 illegal arms,” Cooper said. “The weapons were unlawfully headed to Yemen, as I think is well-documented.” 

Also speaking at the council was Dana Stroul, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of Defense for the Middle East.  

“Let me start out by saying we have seen no change in Iranian willingness or activities to transfer weapons to the Houthis, despite their work with increasing military cooperation with Russia for the war in Ukraine, number one,” Stroul said. “And number two, there has been a decrease in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia because of the truce that has been in place. Now, the actual truce has expired, and at this point in time, all sides are not resuming hostilities, though the truce has not been formally extended.” 

Cooper also leads two major maritime coalitions, the 38-member Combined Maritime Force, which he describes as “the largest maritime partnership in the world,” and the 11-member International Maritime Security Construct.  

“Everything we’ve accomplished both in recent months and over the last two years is the direct result of great work our maritime forces are doing, really, in two key areas, strengthening partnerships and accelerating innovation,” he said. 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

******* 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The crew of the USCGC Confidence (WMEC 619) returned to their home port in Cape Canaveral Friday following a 40-day patrol in the Florida Straits. 

Confidence deployed in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry to conduct counter drug and maritime safety and security missions in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District area of operations. While underway, Confidence’s crew worked with additional Coast Guard cutters and air assets to detect, deter and intercept unsafe and illegal migrant ventures bound for the United States. 

During the patrol, Confidence’s crew interdicted and cared for 496 migrants. Notably, Confidence worked with numerous Coast Guard air assets to rescue a group of 17 Cuban nationals stranded on islands within Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas. 

Confidence’s patrol efforts highlight the Coast Guard’s critical missions of maintaining maritime safety and preventing the potential for loss of life by deterring migrants from taking to the sea in dangerously overcrowded vessels while attempting to enter the United States through non-legal channels. 

“During this patrol, Confidence responded to record high migration in the Florida Straits,” said Cmdr. Thomas Martin, commanding officer of Confidence. “I am proud of the work the crew did to prevent the loss of life at sea and safeguard our borders.” 

Confidence is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter with a crew of 82. The cutter’s primary missions include counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws and search and rescue in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here. 

Release from Nava Sea Systems Command 

******* 

NEWS | Feb. 9, 2023 

Future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. Successfully Installs EASR Antenna 

By Team Ships Public Affairs 

The Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) antenna landed on the future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), Jan.16, 2023. 

This marks the completion of EASR system deliveries for what will be the first LPD 17 Class ship and the first U.S. Navy install and activation of the SPY-6(V)2, rotating variant, S-Band radar. 

“The progress made is a testament to the collaboration across multiple organizations in bringing this next-generation radar to the LPD program. The Navy and our industry partners look forward to systems activation and testing as LPD 29 continues on the path to sea trials later this year,” said Capt. Cedric J. McNeal, Amphibious Warfare Program Manager, Program Executive Office (PEO Ships). 

SPY-6(V)2 provides the U.S. Navy with a common hardware variant for carrier and amphibious ships. In addition to providing hardware and software commonality, the radar will also contribute to increased engagement and overall ship self-defense. 

As with all incremental technology enhancements, the Navy is applying an increased focus to ensure that the system is provided on schedule, integrated into the ship/combat system and activated. Ultimately, EASR will be made ready as an integral sensor in an integrated Ship Self-Defense System to support the ship’s employment. 

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.