ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department has increased the ceiling for its contract for Lot 15 Joint Strike Fighters to 129, the department said in an Aug. 12 release. The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a not-to-exceed $7.63…
Navy Orders Construction of Two Fleet Oilers, One Expeditionary Sea Base
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded two contracts totaling $1.4 billion for the detailed design and construction of three ships to be built by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego: two fleet replenishment oilers and one expeditionary sea…
Hospital Ship USNS Comfort to Deploy to Southern Command Region
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department will deploy a hospital ship to the U.S. Southern Command region during the fall of 2022, the department said. “The Department of Defense plans to deploy the United States Naval Ship Comfort, a Mercy-class…
US Navy Exercises Option for L3Harris Submarine Imaging Masts
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — The U.S. Navy exercised an option on a previously awarded L3Harris Technologies’ contract to produce enhanced submarine imaging masts and spares, the company said July 27. L3Harris will provide two configurations of its Type 20 low-profile mast…
Marine Corps Resumes Limited ACV Water Operations
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps has authorized water operations of its new Amphibious Combat Vehicle, but only in protected waters, Headquarters Marine Corps said July 26. “On July 22, after initial review of the factors involved in the July…
CNO’s NAVPLAN Addresses Hybrid Fleet Force Structure Goals for 2045
ARLINGTON, Va. — The update to the chief of naval operation’s Navigation Plan incorporates the Navy’s Force Design 2045 ship and aircraft force level goals for 2045, a hybrid fleet in which manned ships will remain dominant but supplemented by…
MARTAC Demonstrates Surveillance Potential of USVs for U.S. Navy
ARLINGTON, Va. — A family of high-speed unmanned surface vehicles has been getting a lot of play in naval exercises over the last year, helping the U.S. Navy to determine future requirements for USVs in roles such as maritime domain…
Good Retention Cushioning Recruiting Challenges, Marine Assistant Commandant Says
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Marine Corps is focusing on retention of serving Marines as a way to mitigate the challenges of recruiting in today’s American society, the Corps’ assistant commandant said in recent public forums. “Our recruiting challenges this year…
Artillery Rapid Mobility Key to Survival, Marine Assistant Commandant Says
WASHINGTON — The Russian invasion of Ukraine is showing the value of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in providing long-range precision fires while shifting positions to avoid counter-battery fire, a senior Marine Corps general said, showing its advantages…
Navy Rethinking ‘Full-Mission Capability’ Definition with F-35s in Distributed Ops, Whitesell Says
ARLINGTON Va. — The Navy’s “Air Boss” said fifth-generation strike fighters are redefining the concept of full mission capability and changing the way a four-plane division operates in distributed maritime operations. Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, commander, Naval Air Forces and…
