By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s use of unmanned systems in the U.S 4th Fleet area of operations (AOR) is enabling the fleet to move from experimentation to operationalization of the unmanned systems, even discovering…
Navy to Send Beach Group, Sealift Ships to Support Gaza Relief
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is sending an expedition of beach cargo handling forces to assist in the establishment of a floating causeway and pier to handle delivery of relief supplies to Gaza. …
Navy Orders 17 Block III Super Hornets Plus Data Package
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has ordered 17 more Block III F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters for the fleet, with the contract action also providing for the initial phase of delivery of the aircraft’s…
Aircraft Carrier Suppliers Alarmed at Navy’s Planned Delay of CVN 82
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)…
