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…
Amphib Warship Part Suppliers Press Congress for Stability in Shipbuilding
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. companies that supply components and parts for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare fleet expressed support for the Marine Corps baseline requirement of 31 large and medium amphibious warfare ships…
Navy Opens Second Triton UAV Forward Deployment Site
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy squadron that operates the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle has opened its second deployment site, with this one located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sicily. During…
STRATCOM Commander Affirms Need for Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va.—The operational commander of the nation’s nuclear arsenal has reiterated to Congress the requirement for a sea-based nuclear-tipped cruise missile. Testifying Feb. 29 before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Air force General Anthony…
Raven Warns of CR Impact on Navy Department Budget
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Department of the Navy (DON) is facing a reduction of $12 billion of buying power if the Defense Department has to operate through fiscal 2024 under a continuing resolution (CR)…
Raytheon’s Barracuda Sea-Mine Assassin Progresses in Development
ARLINGTON, Va. — Raytheon has completed the Technical Data Package for a sea mine destructor developed for the U.S. Navy as the test program continues, the company said in an interview with Seapower. The Barracuda is a 26-pound, 48-inch-long anti-mine…
Houthi Explosive USV Detonated in Red Sea Attack
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va.—An uncrewed surface vessel (USV) was detonated in the international shipping lanes Jan. 4 in the latest attack launched from Yemen by Houthi rebels. “Fortunately, there were no casualties, and no ships were…
Coast Guard Upgrades Two Detachments to Full Bases
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Coast Guard has upgraded two of its land-based detachments stations to full bases, according to two Coast Guard directives. The Coast Guard’s Operational Logistics Command formally established Base St. Louis,…
