ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s third Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer will be commissioned after its combat systems are fully installed and activated, rather than going through a two-part delivery, the Navy’s top acquisition official said. The future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002),…
Senate Bill Would Fund Second Virginia-Class Sub in 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. — A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee has introduced a $43 billion bill to strengthen U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific to counter Chinese competition and that would fund, among other things, some of the U.S. Navy’s priorities on its unfunded list,…
Trump Authorizes Navy to Fire on Harassing Iranian Craft
ARLINGTON, Va. — President Trump has authorized the U.S. Navy to fire on Iranian boats that harass American ships, following a recent episode where armed Iranian craft came dangerously close to and harassed Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels engaged in an exercise in the northern Persian Gulf. “I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any…
Navy Cybersecurity Director: ‘No Relaxation of Defenses’ During Telework Time
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is maintaining a vigilant cyber watch over its data networks as it balances network security and protecting the health of its Sailors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a Navy admiral said. “We’re trying to balance two different priorities,”…
Marine Cyber Official: ‘Our Networks Are Resilient’ in COVID-19 Environment
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Marine Corps’ cyber networks are being defended and upgraded even as the COVID-19 pandemic forces ad hoc adaptation in their operation, a senior Marine Corps official said. “Our networks are good, and they are operating at a good capacity…
Ford Weapons Elevators Set for Completion by Summer 2021 Shock Trials
ARLINGTON, Va. — The installation and turnover of the advanced weapons elevators on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is proceeding well, with the goal to complete the work by summer 2021, a top U.S. Navy official said. “We need to get all of the elevators up and running…
In Perhaps a First, USS Delaware Commissioned Underwater
ARLINGTON, Va. — The COVID-19 pandemic is driving the U.S. Navy to adapt some of the ways it conducts business, but the commissioning of a submarine underwater is likely to be a first. The Virginia-class attack USS Delaware was commissioned into the Navy on…
Navy, Marine Officials: AI Will Augment — Not Replace — Humans
ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officials close to the effort to develop artificial intelligence in machines say the technology is advancing rapidly and will be used where it can add value. Discussing AI in an April 16 webcast of the Navy…
Geurts: Accelerated Acquisitions Position Navy, Industry for Period After COVID-19 Crisis Wanes
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s top acquisition official said the service’s efforts to accelerate contract awards in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic are helping the defense industry sustain its economic health at all levels and positioning the Navy and industry to emerge from the…
MARAD’s Buzby: Readiness of Sealift, Ready Reserve Force Suffering
ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. strategic sealift fleets need recapitalization and some increased manning to achieve the readiness that the nation needs to sustain its maritime power, the U.S. maritime administrator said April 14. “The readiness is suffering,” a fact that sealift stakeholders recognize, Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby said during a webcast that is part of…
