By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — A major homeport shift involving two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers is underway with the April 25, 2024, departure of USS George Washington (CVN 73) from Norfolk, Virginia, to the U.S. Southern Command…
SECNAV Advocates Increased Legal Immigration to Increase Shipbuilder Workforce
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The secretary of the Navy said the shortage of workers in the U.S. shipbuilding industry could be partially alleviated by allowing more legal immigrants into the country to work in the…
Insitu Going Strong at 30, Focusing on Maritime Operations
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Insitu, one of the most experienced companies in the small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) market, will mark 30 years of operations in May. The company (in parent company Boeing’s Booth…
Navy Awards Boeing Additional Funds for MQ-25 Drones for Testing
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has awarded Boeing funds to enhance the production of MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based aerial refueling unmanned aerial vehicles, bringing to five the number procured for testing. The Naval Air Systems…
Benign 4th Fleet AOR Useful for Unmanned Vehicle Operationalization, Admiral Says
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s use of unmanned systems in the U.S 4th Fleet area of operations (AOR) is enabling the fleet to move from experimentation to operationalization of the unmanned systems, even discovering…
Navy to Send Beach Group, Sealift Ships to Support Gaza Relief
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is sending an expedition of beach cargo handling forces to assist in the establishment of a floating causeway and pier to handle delivery of relief supplies to Gaza. …
Navy Orders 17 Block III Super Hornets Plus Data Package
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has ordered 17 more Block III F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters for the fleet, with the contract action also providing for the initial phase of delivery of the aircraft’s…
Aircraft Carrier Suppliers Alarmed at Navy’s Planned Delay of CVN 82
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The coalition of suppliers of components, parts, and services for the construction of the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers (CVNs) is alarmed at the proposed two-year delay of authorization for CVN 82…
Navy Awards Bell Textron Contract for 12 AH-1Z Helicopters for Nigeria
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The government of Nigeria is slated to receive 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopter gunships, becoming the third foreign customer for the Viper. In a March 12 contract announcement, the Naval Air Systems…
Navy 2025 Budget Requests Only 6 Battle Force Ships
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s fiscal 2025 budget request proposes only six battle force ships, which, combined with planned ship retirements, would reduce the size of the battle force from 296 ships to…
