ARLINGTON, Va. — Leonardo DRS Inc.’s Airborne & Intelligence Systems business division was awarded a contract from Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS), a division of Cubic Corporation, to deliver additional P5 Combat Training Systems (P5CTS) for the F-35 Lightning II, Leonardo announced in a June 24 release.  

Under the contract Leonardo DRS will deliver two more production lots of its P5CTS internal subsystems for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) system.  

“We are honored to provide our advanced and high-performing air combat training technologies to the U.S. military services and air forces of allied countries so their pilots can effectively train to achieve the highest levels of proficiency in air combat,” said Larry Ezell, vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Airborne & Intelligence Systems business unit. 

Military services are increasingly moving toward multi-domain operations, and since 2013, Leonardo DRS has delivered more than 779 of its P5CTS internal subsystems for the F-35 to provide training to counter and keep ahead of growing global adversarial threats.  

The P5CTS internal subsystem is unlike traditional external training pods used on legacy 4th generation fighter aircraft. The internal subsystem supports 5th generation and 4th generation combat training operations.

“Leonardo DRS’ unmatched ability to integrate ACMI systems onto fighter aircraft, either externally in pods, or internally in the F-35 continues to provide the warfighter the information they need to maximize the value of their training for current and future combat,” said Ezell. “Through disciplined engineering and manufacturing processes, along with in-depth understanding of the conditions ACMI systems are required to perform under, we are able deliver the vital training systems to the F-35 for these production lots, as well as future F-35 requirements.”     

The air combat systems are being delivered to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and international partner nations.   

These training systems are designed to address emerging needs for customers as global threats evolve. The P5CTS is part of the Leonardo DRS advanced sensor technology portfolio which has an extensive installed base across the U.S. military. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced Jan. 23 that the president has nominated Rear Adm. Daniel W. Dwyer for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as commander, 2nd Fleet/commander, Joint Forces Command Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia.  

Dwyer is currently serving as director, Plans and Policy, J5, United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. If confirmed by the Senate, he would succeed Vice Adm. Andrew L. Lewis. 

Dwyer is a native of Alameda, California, and a 1988 graduate of the California Maritime Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and a third mate’s license in the Merchant Marine. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island, and holds a Master’s in Foreign Affairs and Strategic Studies, and a Master’s in Computer Information Science. 
 
Dwyer received his Wings of Gold in March 1992 with orders to fly the F/A-18C in Lemoore, California. 
 
He has previously commanded Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27; Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Asadabad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan; VFA-106; Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; and CVW 17. As a flag officer, Dwyer commanded the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG 9) and was the 36th chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA). 
 
Other at sea and ashore assignments include two tours with VFA-151, Topgun Class 97-1; F/A-18 Tactics instructor at Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific Lemoore, California; Hornet air combat placement officer at Naval Personnel Command Millington, Tennessee; director, Regional Outreach Headquarters, Commander, International Security Assistance Force Kabul, Afghanistan; and director of Aviation Officer Distribution Naval Personnel Command Millington, Tennessee. 
 
As a flag officer Dwyer served as the chief of staff and assistant chief of staff for Strategy, Resources and Plans for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa and for Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy. 
 
Dwyer assumed his current duties as the Director of Plans and Policy (J5) for U.S. Cyber Command in July 2020. 

Dwyer was the 1997 Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Adm. Wesley McDonald Junior Officer of the Year and his personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal Strike/Flight, Combat Action Ribbon, Battle E (three awards) and has accumulated over 3,600 F/A-18 flight hours, and over 1,100 carrier arrested landings on 12 different aircraft carriers. 

LONDON — The United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group has joined the fight against Daesh, also known as ISIS, with F-35B Lightning II jets carrying out their very first combat missions from HMS Queen Elizabeth, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said in a June 22 release. 

Lightning IIs of the renowned 617 Squadron RAF (The Dambusters) carried out operational sorties for the first time from HMS Queen Elizabeth in support of Operation Shader and U.S. Operation Inherent Resolve. 

“The ability to operate from the sea with the most advanced fighter jets ever created is a significant moment in our history, offering reassurance to our allies and demonstrating the U.K.’s formidable air power to our adversaries,” Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said. “The Carrier Strike Group is a physical embodiment of global Britain and a show of international military strength that will deter anyone who seeks to undermine global security.” 

For the task group, which has spent previous weeks in the Mediterranean working with NATO allies and partners, it marks a change of emphasis. From exercises and international engagements, the Carrier Strike Group is now delivering its full might of naval and air power, putting the “strike” into Carrier Strike Group and contributing to the U.K.’s fight against Daesh — Operation Shader, which forms part of the global coalition against Daesh. 

“HMS Queen Elizabeth’s first missions against Daesh will be remembered as a significant moment in the 50-year lifespan of this ship,” said Commodore Steve Moorhouse, commander, United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group. “It also marks a new phase of our current deployment. To date we have delivered diplomatic influence on behalf of the U.K. through a series of exercises and engagements with our partners. Now we are ready to deliver the hard punch of maritime-based air power against a shared enemy. 

“The involvement of HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Air Wing in this campaign also sends a wider message,” Moorhouse said. “It demonstrates the speed and agility with which a U.K.-led Carrier Strike Group can inject fifth-generation combat power into any operation, anywhere in the world, thereby offering the British government, and our allies, true military and political choice.” 

CSG21, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, is the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the United Kingdom in a generation and this is its first operational deployment, which is joint between the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. 

“In an era of persistent competition, the carrier is already proving its worth. As the recent Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper underlined, our adversaries pose a growing threat to the international order and the values that underpin our security and prosperity,” the release said. 

There are 18 U.K. and U.S. F-35B jets on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest number to ever sail the seas. The aircraft are next generation multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology. 

“The Lightning Force is once again in action against Daesh, this time flying from an aircraft carrier at sea, which marks the Royal Navy’s return to maritime strike operations for the first time since the Libya campaign a decade ago,” said Capt. James Blackmore, commander of the Carrier Air Wing. “With its fifth-generation capabilities, including outstanding situational awareness, the F-35B is the ideal aircraft to deliver precision strikes, which is exactly the kind of mission that 617 Squadron has been training for day after day, night after night, for these past few months. 

“This is also notable as the first combat mission flown by U.S. aircraft from a foreign carrier since HMS Victorious in the South Pacific in 1943,” Blackmore said. “The level of integration between Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps is truly seamless, and testament to how close we’ve become since we first embarked together last October.” 

KITTERY, Maine — The crew of the USCGC Tahoma (WMEC 908) returned to Kittery on Friday after a successful 79-day counter-narcotics and smuggling patrol in the Eastern Pacific, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a June 21 release. 

The Tahoma’s crew interdicted two vessels, seizing 7,300 pounds of cocaine, worth a combined total of roughly $105 million, and detained eight suspected drug smugglers. 

The crew also coordinated operations with U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment deployed aboard the Canadian Kingston-class coastal defense vessel HMCS Saskatoon (MM 709). The collaboration supported the seizure of an additional 4,000 pounds of cocaine and the detention of four suspected smugglers. 

A flight crew and aviation detachment from the Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron deployed aboard the Tahoma for the patrol. Helicopter Interdiction Squadron crews are the Coast Guard’s airborne sharpshooters, specializing in disabling the engines of vessels that refuse to stop with precision rifle fire. 

The Tahoma’s crew participated in Operation Orion VI, an international naval campaign to combat drug trafficking. During the operation, Tahoma patrolled in coordinated areas with the Colombian coastal patrol vessel Arc Punta Ardita (CPV 147) and rendezvoused for a formation steaming exercise. 

“It’s been an extremely successful deployment for us – the crew demonstrated great resilience and perseverance with each challenge, and I am proud to serve with each and every one of them,” said Cmdr. Eric Johnson, commanding officer of Tahoma. 

Tahoma is a 270-foot cutter homeported in Kittery. The vessel and 100-person crew execute maritime law enforcement, homeland security, and search and rescue missions supporting U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

MANAMA, Bahrain — After more than 30 years of active service, U.S. Coast Guard Island-class patrol boats USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309) and USCGC Adak (WPB 1333) were decommissioned in a ceremony aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, June 15, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area announced. 

Vice Adm. Steven Poulin, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, was in attendance to honor the years of service Aquidneck, Adak, and their crews, provided to the Coast Guard.  

“Thank you to every single crew member who has ever served aboard Aquidneck and Adak, from the plank owners to the final crew and all the crews in between,” said Poulin. “You selflessly volunteered to deploy from your family, friends, and home, accepting the inherent risks and adversities to serve your country. You built a legacy for these two cutters that will not soon be forgotten.” 

As part of the Coast Guard’s Fast Response Cutter program, the service is acquiring 64 fast response cutters total, with six of those assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Aquidneck and Adak were replaced by the Sentinel-class FRCs USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142), which arrived at NSA Bahrain on May 25. 

Aquidneck’s namesake comes from Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island. It was originally homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia, and later shifted to Fort Macon, North Carolina. It was employed in search and rescue, counter-drug, and other law enforcement operations domestically for more than 16 years. 

Adak’s namesake comes from Adak Island in Alaska. It was originally stationed in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in 1991 and laid claim to the third-largest cocaine bust in Coast Guard history when the crew stopped a fishing vessel off the coast of New York. In August 1994, it took part in Operation Able Vigil, which rescued over 29,000 Cuban migrants from unsafe rafts and makeshift craft attempting to reach American shores. The operation consisted of over 50 Coast Guard cutters and U.S. Navy ships, making it the largest Coast Guard-led naval operation since World War II. 

In late 2002, Aquidneck and Adak received orders to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Within one week of their arrival in Bahrain, they were underway conducting maritime interdiction operations in the North Arabian Gulf. 

For the next 18 years, the two cutters remained forward deployed out of Bahrain under U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, attached to Commander, Task Force 55, conducting operations to ensure the free flow of commerce throughout the region’s critical waterways. 

Patrol Force Southwest Asia is composed of six patrol vessels, shoreside mission support personnel, and the Maritime Engagement Team. They play a crucial role in maritime security, maritime infrastructure protection, and theater security cooperation in the region. The unit also supports other U.S. Coast Guard deployable specialized forces operating throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. 

Commander, Task Force 55 operates in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, supporting naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – General Dynamics Mission Systems was awarded two contracts by the U.S. Navy worth $30.5 million in support of various maintenance and upgrade initiatives for the Navy’s Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) fleet, the company said in a June 21 release.  

As part of a $17.4 million contract announced by the Department of Defense on May 4, General Dynamics Mission Systems will develop and upgrade the Independence-variant LCS fleet’s hull mechanical & electrical system, which includes software upgrades and maintenance of the engineering control system. Work for this contract will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Mobile, Alabama; San Diego; Philadelphia; and Singapore, and is expected to be completed by May 2026.  

As part of a $13.1 million contract announced by DoD on May 24, General Dynamics Mission Systems will provide the Independence-variant LCS’ in-service engineering and life cycle support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber and intelligence and training systems to include critical engineering, design, integration. test and evaluation, software development and testing, logistics product development and distribution and configuration management. This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $79.2 million. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Mobile, Alabama, San Diego and Singapore, and is expected to be completed by May 2026. 

“General Dynamics Mission Systems is excited to continue this sustainment and modernization work for U.S. Navy,” said Stan Kordana, vice president of surface systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems. “Our engineers have a long history of collaborating with our industry and Navy partners to sustain the performance of LCS engineering control and core mission systems; ensuring they are ready and able to support the Navy’s mission requirements at home and abroad. Our sustainment team recognizes the critical role the Independence-variant littoral combat ship plays on the national stage, especially with three ships planned for deployment to the western Pacific this year. Our ‘any program, any mission system on any platform’ approach ensures LCS will be able to successfully achieve their missions, today and in the future.” 

BELOIT, Wis. — Fairbanks Morse Defense, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, announced June 22 that its Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME) division was awarded a contract by Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) to build and deliver the two main propulsion diesel engines (MPDE) for the U.S. Coast Guard’s fourth Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) the Rush (WMSM-918). FME will build the engines at its Beloit, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. 

“Fairbanks Morse engines will help the OPCs perform the mission-critical task of preserving the country’s maritime security. We are honored to continue providing powerful and reliable engines to this essential program,” said Fairbanks Morse Defense CEO George Whittier. “No matter what the temperature is or how big the seas are, FME’s resilient engines are ready for the challenge of serving alongside each and every cutterman that crew an OPC.”  

The OPCs will act as a capability bridge between the National Security Cutter, which patrols the open ocean, and the Fast Response Cutter, which serves closer to shore. The vessels will also be capable of carrying an MH-60 or MH-65 Helicopter and three operational Over-The-Horizon small boats. They will be equipped with highly sophisticated combat systems and will enhance the USCG’s ability to execute various missions that range from drug interdiction to marine environmental protection.  

The U.S. military has turned to Fairbanks Morse Defense for more than 70 years to provide quality diesel engines, parts, repair, and service solutions for marine propulsion and ship service systems. 

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp., has successfully completed Milestone C for the U.S. Navy’s Tactical Combat Training System II (TCTS Inc. II) program.

In addition, Collins Aerospace was awarded the first production order for TCTS II. TCTS Inc. II was developed and built by Collins Aerospace and Leonardo DRS. 
 
Completion of Milestone C marks the transition to system production, based on meeting all key performance parameters. Initial Operational Capability is set to be declared in 2022. 
 
TCTS Inc. II is the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force program of record for fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft that enables highly secure air combat training between the U.S. and international platforms. Through Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) technologies, TCTS Inc. II simulates various highly contested combat situations, tailoring the threats to enable pilots to train as they fight.

It also collects relevant data to rapidly develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures in real time. It is the only air-combat training system with security certification that supports encryption requirements from Top Secret through Unclassified that is needed for today’s legacy U.S. and coalition fighter aircraft. The scalable TCTS Inc. II system architecture is envisioned to create a fully immersive environment for all aircraft, ships and vehicles in the U.S. Navy inventory, and the U.S. Air Force. 
 
“The successful completion of Milestone C demonstrates the Live, Virtual, and Constructive-enabled capabilities of the TCTS Inc. II technology from Collins Aerospace,” said Heather Robertson, vice president, and general manager, Integrated Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “Enabling more realistic and secure cross-service air combat exercises is invaluable preparation for fourth- and fifth-generation pilots to ensure warfighters achieve the readiness levels needed.” 
 
TCTS Inc. II securely connects to the Navy Continuous Training Environment to live aircraft allowing synthetic threats to stimulate the aircraft’s sensors via a multiple independent levels of security architecture featuring an NSA-certified, Type 1 encryptor. When used with the onboard cross domain solution, the system enables sharing of information in near real time and uses SITL to properly stress the warfighter with representative realistic threats. TCTS Inc. II is capable of Future Airborne Capability Environment certification which enables best-in-class third applications to be integrated easily and accelerates new capabilities to the warfighters. With the ability to host operational capabilities, TCTS II creates the infrastructure able to run both training and tactical waveforms across a multitude of platforms. 

STERLING, Va. — The U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems has awarded Saab the Force-on-Force Training Systems – Next (FoFTS-Next) Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC), the company said in a June 17 release. The contract has a potential value of $127.9 million. 

The FoFTS-Next SATOC will include U.S. Marine Corps Training Instrumentation Systems (MCTIS) equipment, logistics, and training exercise support. 

Through this framework agreement with future task orders exercised, Saab will provide a full turnkey live training capability to include equipment deliveries for individual Marine weapons and vehicles, as well as logistics and maintenance support and training exercise support at all major U.S. Marine Corps installations worldwide. 

“Ensuring the readiness of our Armed Forces is the foundation of all Saab training systems. The Saab Live MCTIS Training System is a proven solution that will provide interoperability training to prepare our U.S. Marines for combat effectiveness across multi-domain operations,” said Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab in the U.S. 

The Saab next-generation Live MCTIS Training System will replace the U.S. Marine Corps’ current Instrumentation and Tactical Engagement Simulation System (ITESS) equipment. 

WASHINGTON — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday hosted Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy Vice Adm. Rob Kramer and his relief Rear Adm. René Tas at the Pentagon June 17 to discuss maritime security issues and reaffirm their commitment to continued cooperation between the two navies, the Navy said in a June 17 release. 

This meeting marked the second in-person discussion between the two heads of navy. 
 
“Our bilateral relationship with the Royal Netherlands Navy is one of our oldest,” said Gilday. “The Dutch are an important ally and play a vital role in global maritime security. I look forward to working alongside Vice Adm. Kramer and Rear Adm. Tas to enhance our navies’ cooperation far into the future.” 
 
Kramer echoed Gilday’s sentiments. 
 
“Our deep friendship enables an inclusive and very valuable collaboration on both global maritime security issues and illicit trafficking in the Caribbean region,” said Kramer. 

From operations in the Middle East to the Caribbean, and from the Atlantic to counter piracy operations off Africa, the U.S. Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy operate regularly together around the globe.  

Most recently, both navies participated in the recent NATO exercise Steadfast Defender and At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield, where USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) and the Royal Netherlands Navy’s frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën (F802) engaged a live medium-range ballistic target using a Standard Missile-3 together. 

In the groundbreaking engagement, HNLMS De Zeven Provincien employed its advanced combat system suite to provide an early warning ballistic track to the maritime task group. Upon receipt of the track information, Paul Ignatius calculated a firing solution to launch an SM-3 Blk IA. 

Both navies also have ships that are operating as part of the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) and HNLMS Evertsen (F805).