WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s top officer said the high-altitude, high-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is providing support to the fleet on its first deployment that was not available before. “We’re still committed to the [MQ-4C Triton],” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said, responding to…
Navy Assumes ‘Balanced’ Risk of Strike Fighter Inventory with Super Hornet Curtailment
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy is working to manage its strike fighter inventory by focusing on restoring grounded fighters while curtailing future procurement of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet after 2021, Navy officials said. The Navy is requesting 24 Super Hornets in the fiscal…
Keel-Laying of Coast Guard’s First OPC Set for April
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to celebrate the keel-laying of the first Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter (OPC) next month in Panama City, Florida. Testifying March 10 before the House Homeland Security Committee, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl L. Schultz said the keel of…
Wittman: DDGs Still Needed as Cruisers Retire; Go Slow on USVs
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy still needs a large fleet of guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the guided-missile cruisers (CGs) being retired, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) said. Speaking March 9 at the Hudson Institute, a Washington…
Navy Gives Boeing Long-Lead Contract for 18 P-8A Patrol Aircraft
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has ordered long-lead materials and activity to support production of eight P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for its patrol squadrons plus 10 more for foreign military sales. Naval Air Systems Command has awarded an $800 million contract modification for long-lead…
Navy to Commission Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams
WASHINGTON — The Navy will commission its newest Expeditionary Sea Base, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony Saturday, March 7, in Norfolk, Virginia, the Navy’s Office on Information announced in a March 6 release. …
Commandant: Tomahawks Will Enable Marines to Contribute to Sea Control, Denial
WASHINGTON — The fiscal 2021 budget proposal for a new version of the Tomahawk cruise missile will give the U.S. Marine Corps a new weapon for sea-control and sea-denial missions, the Corps’ top officer said. The budget proposes the procurement of 44 Maritime Strike…
Columbia SSBN Not a Factor in 2021 Budget Cut to One Virginia-Class Sub, Geurts Says
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s controversial decision to propose one Virginia-class attack submarine (SSN) instead of two in the fiscal year 2021 budget was a matter of budget priorities — not a concern over shipyard or program capacity to start construction of the Columbia ballistic-missile sub, the Navy’s…
Navy Strategic Systems Director: New W93 Warhead Needed to Pace Threat
WASHINGTON — The admiral in charge of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear weapons arsenal said the new warhead in development is needed to modernize the arsenal. Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, director of Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), testifying on March 3 in Washington before the Strategic Forces subcommittee of…
NAVAIR Orders One UC-12W Utility Transport
ARLINGTON, Va. — Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has ordered another UC-12W Huron utility transport aircraft from Textron Aviation. NAVAIR awarded Textron Aviation Inc. $14.3 million to fund the production and delivery of one King Air 350C Cargo Slick aircraft modified to…
