WASHINGTON — The Navy’s expansion to a larger fleet is hampered not only by the flat topline of the fiscal 2022 budget but also inflation in the costs and complexity of shipbuilding, a senior Navy admiral said. As the Navy…
Sea-Air-Space 2021 Prequel: Law Of Sea Convention Could be Negotiated to Overcome Constitutional Objections, Analyst Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) could be ratified by the U.S. Senate if a few objections were addressed, a naval analyst said. Speaking 20 July in a webinar of the Navy…
Sea-Air-Space 2021 Prequel: Cruisers’ Combat Systems Lagging Behind Threat, CNO Says
ARLINGTON, Va.—The U.S. Navy’s 2022 budget proposal to decommission seven guided-missile cruisers is not just based on the age and material condition of the ships. According to the chief of naval operations (CNO), the lethality of the cruisers’ combat system…
SCO Plans for Overlord USV Transfer to Navy in January
ARLINGTON, Va. — The two Ghost Fleet Overlord autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs) designed to experiment with unmanned fleet technologies are scheduled to be turned over to the U.S. Navy early next year, likely January, and will be joined in…
Navy Confident Strike Fighter Shortfall Will Be Gone by 2025, Admiral Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s director of air warfare told the Congress that the Navy is on track to eliminate its shortfall of strike fighter aircraft by 2025. Testifying July 13 before the Tactical Air and Ground Forces subcommittee of…
Navy Details 2022 Ship Retirement Schedule
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has determined its planned ship retirement schedule for fiscal 2022. The list includes 22 ships, including 15 battle force ships. In a July 2 administrative message, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations…
Navy Orders MH-60R Helicopters to Replace Transfers to Greece
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has ordered three MH-60R helicopters from the manufacturer to replace three transferred to the government of Greece. The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $129 million contract modification for the production and delivery of three…
Congressman Asks SECDEF to Direct Recission of SLCM-N Cancellation Memo
ARLINGTON, Va. — The ranking member of the Strategic Forces subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee HASC) said he asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to direct the acting Navy Secretary to rescind a directive that cancels a sea-launched…
Saildrone USVs Set for 7th Arctic Mission
ARLINGTON, Va. — Saildrone is set to conduct an Arctic research mission for the seventh consecutive year with its autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs) powered by wind and sun. The company is conducting the missions with six of its smallest USV, the 23-foot-long…
CH-53K Helicopter Cost Trending Downward, Marine General Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The unit cost of the Marine Corps’ new heavy-lift helicopter is trending in the right direction as the helicopter prepares for its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), a senior Marine Corps officer told Congress. Rep. Vicki…
