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…
Air Force to Manage Next-Generation MUOS, Navy Secretary Announces
WASHINGTON — The secretary of the Navy said that the U.S. Air Force, not the Navy, will manage the program for the next generation of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The MUOS, built by Lockheed Martin, is a communications satellite equipped…
Navy’s VP-40 Brings P-3 Home From Its Last Active-Duty Patrol Squadron Deployment
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s last active-duty patrol squadron to operate the Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft has returned from deployment and soon will begin transition to the Boeing P-8A Poseidon. Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40) completed its return to…
Columbia Program Manager: Missile Sub Still on Schedule, But Suppliers Present Biggest Risk for Delay
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s program for its next-generation ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN), the Columbia class, is on track to start construction on time, but the program has a tight schedule with little margin for delay, the program manager said. “Our biggest risk…
Kings Bay to be First Sub Base Ready for Navy’s Columbia-Class SSBN
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s submarine base in Kings Bay, Georgia, will be the first base to be readied for the Navy’s new Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN), a Navy admiral said. “Kings Bay will come first, so that [construction] will…
