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…
NAVAIR Orders Two MV-22B Osprey
ARLINGTON, Va. — Naval Air Systems Command has ordered two MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft and provided funds to continue the modernization of the Osprey fleet. According to the Feb. 28 Pentagon contract announcement, NAVAIR awarded Bell-Boeing a $165.3 million contract under the fiscal…
Modly: Integrated Navy Force Structure to Steer Away From Large Surface Combatants
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s forthcoming Integrated Naval Force Structure Assessment (INFSA) differs from the 2016 FSA by some inflection points, including a reduced emphasis on large surface combatants, the Navy’s top official said. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas B. Modly, speaking Feb. 28 at the…
House Committee Levels Broadside at Navy’s 2021 Shipbuilding Budget
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s plan to procure only eight battle force ships in the 2021 budget came under expected fire from lawmakers during a Feb. 26 hearing on Capitol Hill. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley testified at…
Navy E-2 Hawkeye Squadrons Renamed to Reflect Expanded Capabilities
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has given its E-2 Hawkeye squadrons a new designation to more accurately reflect the aircraft’s expanded capabilities and missions. The service has changed the name from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron to Airborne Command and Control Squadron, effective Jan….
Second Virginia-Class Sub in Fiscal 2021 Tops Navy’s Unfunded Priority List
ARLINGTON, Va. — A Virginia-class attack submarine heads the U.S. Navy’s fiscal 2021 unfunded priorities list, according to Feb. 19 letter to Congress from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday. Three types of aircraft and one logistics proof-of-concept ship round out the top…
NAVAIR Orders Six VH-92 Presidential Helicopters From Sikorsky
ARLINGTON, Va. — Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Sikorsky a second production contract to build VH-92A helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps, the company said in a release. The VH-92A has been selected to provide transport for the president of the United…
