ARLINGTON, Va. — Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper is set to meet Nov. 25 with top U.S. Navy officials to discuss the way ahead in the wake of Secretary Richard V. Spencer’s sudden departure, a Pentagon spokesman said in a statement. Esper has proposed a retired Navy admiral…
Continuing Resolution Already Taking Toll on Navy Readiness, Geurts Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The continuing resolution currently in effect instead of an enacted fiscal 2020 budget already is taking a toll on the readiness of U.S. Navy units and acquisition plans, with two ship overhauls delayed indefinitely and more to come unless Congress…
F-35 Operational Evaluation May Resume in Mid-2020, Pentagon Tester Says
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s head of operational test and evaluation said the earliest the F-35 Lightning II strike fighter’s Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) could resume is mid-2020, when the Joint Simulation Environment is ready. That evaluation, paused earlier…
Subs Will Get Harpoon Missiles Next Year, Navy Undersea Warfare Director Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The admiral in charge of undersea warfare requirements said the Harpoon anti-ship missile will be returning to the submarine force next year, restoring more lethality to the sub force. “I am happy to report that we will have…
Next-Gen Attack Sub Will Be Revolutionary, Navy Undersea Warfare Director Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The admiral in charge of undersea warfare requirements said the U.S. Navy’s next-generation attack submarine (SSNX) will be revolutionary, not evolutionary. “We run up against the design margin of the Virginia class, and we will need a new submarine capable…
Navy Strategic Systems Director Praises Trident Missile’s Motor Reliability
ARLINGTON, Va. — The admiral in charge of procuring and sustaining the U.S. Navy’s submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) has praised the reliability of the Trident missile’s rocket motor, a critical factor in the credibility of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent. See: Navy’s…
Submarines Among Last U.S. Asymmetric Advantages, Admiral Tells Symposium
ARLINGTON, Va. — The commander of the U.S. Navy’s submarine forces said the sub fleet has focused on battle readiness in view of the current era of great power competition and is taking steps to increase its effectiveness, speed of technological development and integration with…
In and Out on Time: Navy Tackles Maintenance Backlog With New Initiatives in Contracting and at Shipyards
The U.S. Navy is taking some new initiatives to sustain the ships of its busy fleet, including additional oversight, new contracting strategies, shipyard workload stability and capital investment in shipyard infrastructure. The initiatives are focused on getting ships and submarines…
Geurts: Weapons Elevator Experts Being Assembled for Ford Class Carriers
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s top acquisitions official said all advanced weapons elevators (AWE) on the new aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford will be operational by 18 months after post-delivery trials and testing begins and that a team…
Secretary: Navy Discussing Next-Gen Carrier Concepts, Including ‘Lightning Carrier’
WASHINGTON — The secretary of the U.S. Navy said the sea service is looking ahead to determine what the follow-on aircraft carrier design will look like, even as work continues to get the new USS Gerald R. Ford out to regular operations at sea. “With…
