ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has exercised a contract option and ordered a tenth Block V version of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN). The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $2.4 billion fixed-price incentive modification…
Low-Yield Warhead, Nuclear Sea-Based Cruise Missile Will Survive, HASC Ranking Member Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — Two naval nuclear weapons deployed or planned are likely to survive cancellation efforts from Democratic members Congress, said the new ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, speaking March 22 during a…
Congressman Supports Defense Digital Service Academy for Cyber, AI
ARLINGTON, Va. — The ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee supports establishment of a new training institution for cyberwarfare and artificial intelligence (AI) to help the nation to meet cyber threats. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, speaking March 22…
Marine Corps to Procure 18 MQ-9 Reapers to ‘Close Kill Chain,’ General Says
ARLINGTON, Va.—The Marine Corps plans to procure a total of 18 MQ-9A extended range Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles to operate in support of distributed maritime operations and expeditionary base operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The Corps currently operates two…
Navy’s Future Carrier Air Wing Could Reach 40% Unmanned Aircraft, Use Manned/Unmanned Teaming, Admiral Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s forthcoming fielding of its first carrier-based unmanned aircraft could presage a much larger UAS presence in the future carrier air wing, a senior admiral said, and may include manned/unmanned teaming. The MQ-25A Stingray UAS now…
Navy’s Orca XLUUV to Have Mine-Laying Mission, Adm. Kilby says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy is planning on mine laying as the initial mission for the Orca extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle (XLUUV), a Navy official said. “The XLUUV is a migration from the Echo Voyager from Boeing, with a mission…
Adding to the Fleet: Navy Evolves to Counter Changing Threats
Last December, then-Navy Secretary Kenneth J. Braithwaite announced plans to bring back the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in a name change that was a deliberate message to the world — in particular the near-peer competitor nations of Russia and China as…
Ex-Navy Helos Providing Folding Rotors, Tails for Cutter-Deploying H-60 Helos
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Coast Guard is shifting the focus of some of its MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter fleet to use on board its large cutters and is using components from some ex-U.S. Navy H-60 Seahawk helicopters to make that…
Double-Pumped Carrier Deployments Are Not Surges, Lawmaker Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s recent practice of sending nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs) on back-to-back deployments — termed “double-pumped” — is not an example of a surge capability, a member of Congress said. “Surge is additional capability to respond in…
Coast Guard Reducing Some Marine Protector Patrol Boats for Budget Reasons, Commandant Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — Budget constraints are the main reason the Coast Guard is decommissioning a few 87-foot Marine Protector-class patrol boats, the Coast Guard commandant said, but the capabilities of other boats will compensate for the change. “We are taking…
