SAN JUAN,
Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard repatriated 27 migrants Sept. 5 to the Samaná,
Dominican Republic, following the interdiction of two illegal migrant voyages
in Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a release.

Four men
and a woman, among the interdicted migrants, remain in Puerto Rico, where they
face possible federal prosecution for attempted illegal re-entry into the
United States.

The
interdictions were a result of ongoing efforts in support of Operation Unified
Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard and the Caribbean Border Interagency Group
(CBIG).

“The
collaboration between the Coast Guard, CBP and the Dominican Republic navy
helped save 32 lives and ensure the quick return of the repatriated migrants,”
said Capt. Eric King, commander of Sector San Juan.

“The
migrants are very fortunate, they risked losing their lives by capsizing or
drowning since both vessels were grossly overloaded, unseaworthy and had little
or no lifesaving equipment onboard.”

On the
morning of Sept. 5, the crew of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and
Marine Operations DHC-8 marine patrol aircraft detected a migrant vessel near
Mona Island.

Coast
Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan diverted a Coast Guard cutter on patrol,
while a CBP marine unit also responded to interdict the suspect vessel.

The crew
of the CBP marine unit interdicted the 16-foot makeshift boat with 17 migrants
aboard, 16 men and a woman, who claimed to be from the Dominican Republic. The cutter
arrived on scene shortly thereafter and safely embarked the migrants. The U.S. Coast
Guard transported five migrants from this group to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where
Ramey Sector Border Patrol agents received them. 

The crew
of a CBP Air and Marine Operations DHC-8 marine patrol aircraft sighted a
second illegal migrant voyage Wednesday night in the Mona Passage.

A Coast
Guard cutter diverted to the scene and interdicted a 20-foot boat with 15
migrants aboard. The cutter crew safely embarked 11 men and four women from the
makeshift vessel, who claimed Dominican nationality.

The Coast Guard cutter
rendezvoused with a Dominican Republic Navy vessel Thursday night just off
Samaná, Dominican Republic, where the repatriation of the migrants was
completed.

SAN DIEGO —
The U.S. Navy conducted four scheduled missile test flights of unarmed Trident
II (D5) missiles from USS Nebraska (SSBN 739), an Ohio-class ballistic missile
submarine, off the coast of Southern California, U.S. Navy Strategic Systems
Programs Public Affairs said in a release.

The first
two launches took place Sept. 4, and the last two were Sept. 6. All occurred
before sunrise.

These test
flights were part of a Commander Evaluation Test (CET), whose primary goal was
to validate performance expectations of the life-extended Trident II (D5)
strategic weapon system. These launches mark 176 successful flights of the system.

CETs and
other flight tests are conducted on a recurring, scheduled basis to evaluate
and ensure the continued reliability and accuracy of the system. The missile
tests were not conducted in response to any ongoing world events.

“Our
nation’s sea-based deterrent has been a critical component of our national
security since the 1960s, and this week’s launches continue to demonstrate the
credibility and reliability of our life-extended missiles,” said Vice Adm.
Johnny R. Wolfe, director of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs, the command
responsible for the Navy’s strategic weapons.

The
Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system, originally designed with a life span
to 2024, recently underwent a life extension that will keep it operational
through the late 2040s. The life-extended missiles will serve for the remaining
service life of U.S Ohio-class and United Kingdom Vanguard-class SSBNs, and as
the initial loadout for the U.S. Columbia-class and U.K. Dreadnought-class
SSBNs.

The life-extension
program addressed potential aging and obsolescence issues. “The life-extended
missiles are now being deployed to the fleet, but our work is not done,”
Wolfe said.

“The
nuclear deterrence mission is the Department of Defense’s No. 1 priority, and
for the U.S. Navy that means not only maintaining our current capability, but
also developing the next generation of Trident missiles and shipboard strategic
weapon system that will ensure a credible sea-based deterrent for the next 40
years and beyond,” he added.

A
credible, effective nuclear deterrent is essential to our national security and
the security of U.S. allies. Deterrence remains a cornerstone of national
security policy in the 21st century.

Strategic Systems Programs is the Navy command that provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support for the sea-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. This includes training, systems, equipment, facilities and personnel responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system. SLBMs are one leg of the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent triad that also includes the U.S. Air Force’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and nuclear-capable bombers.

Each part of the Triad provides unique capabilities and advantages. SLBMs make up about 70 percent of the U.S.’s deployed strategic nuclear deterrent Triad. The SLBM is the most survivable, provides persistent presence and allows flexible concept of operations.

WASHINGTON — Navy Secretary Richard V.
Spencer announced the newest expeditionary fast transport (EPF) ship will be
named USNS Cody (T-EPF 14), the secretary’s public affairs officer said in a release.

The future USNS Cody is the first ship named
in honor of the city of Cody, Wyoming. At least 28 other U.S. Navy ships have
been named after the state of Wyoming’s cities, places and people.  

“The people of Cody are staunch supporters of
a strong Navy and Marine Corps team, and it is fitting to name a ship in honor
of this great city,” Spencer said. “I am pleased that the spirit of Cody will
live on in the future USNS Cody.”

EPFs transport personnel, equipment and supplies. They can transport 600 short tons of military cargo with a crew of 26 civilian mariners — equipped with airline-style seating for 312 embarked troops, along with a fixed wing berthing outfitted for an additional 104 personnel.

With a shallow draft under 15 feet, a flight deck for helicopter operations, and vehicle offload ramp, EPFs can support a wide range of operations — from port access to littoral operations. Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, is under contract to build the new EPF, which will be 338 feet long, have a waterline width (beam) of 93.5 feet, displace about 2,362 tons and be capable of 35-plus knots.

EDGEWOOD,
N.Y. — Raytheon Co. has authorized CPI Aerostructures Inc. to begin production
of pod structures and air-management system (AMS) components for the system demonstration
and test article (SDTA) phase of the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB)
program, CPI Aero said in a release.

The binding
notification provides about $2 million in funding to begin work and establishes
a maximum value of $23.3 million for a contract that is expected to be
finalized before the end of 2019. Deliveries of SDTA pods and AMS components
are expected to begin in August of 2020 and end in the first half of 2021.

Raytheon is designing and manufacturing NGJ-MB, a high-capacity and power airborne electronic attack weapon system for the EA-18G Growler aircraft. It is designed to protect air forces by denying, degrading and disrupting threat radars and communication devices. There are two NGJ-MB pods per EA-18G aircraft. CPI Aero announced in August 2018 that it is manufacturing the pod structure and AMS components for Raytheon, which delivered the first NGJ-MB engineering development model pod to the U.S. Navy for ground and aircraft integration testing in July.

“CPI Aero has been a key supplier to Raytheon on this program since 2016, and we are proud to play an important role in getting this critical electronic warfare capability into the hands of the U.S. Navy for testing,” stated Douglas J. McCrosson, president and CEO of CPI Aero. “As we begin the SDTA phase, we reach another waypoint on the path towards receiving a decision by the U.S. Navy to proceed with low-rate initial production in late 2020 to keep the program on track to achieve initial operating capability in 2022.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — Leonardo DRS Inc. has won a U.S. Navy
contract for the development, integration and production of hardware solutions
for various Navy platforms, the company said in a Sept. 4 release.

The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has
a base award of more than $382 million. With options, the cumulative value of
the contract is estimated at more than $830 million.

Under the contract, Leonardo DRS will provide design,
procurement, production, sparing, test, installation, and support of displays,
workstations, processors, and network systems; the production of subsequent
systems, kits and enclosures; and engineering and technical services.

This contract combines purchases for the Navy and the
government of the United Kingdom under the Foreign Military Sales program as
well as under a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth of Australia.

“We are proud to continue our long history of providing the U.S. Navy with off-the-shelf and custom hardware systems that deliver the mission-critical modernization needs for our sailors. We have already delivered or are under contract for over 250 shipsets of products, going back to 1998,” said Lee Meyer, vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business.

The contract was awarded through the Leonardo DRS Laurel Technologies business.  Work will be performed in Leonardo DRS facilities in Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Burnsville, Minnesota; Germantown, Maryland; Largo, Florida; and Chesapeake, Virginia. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

OKINAWA,
Japan — The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed U.S. 7th Fleet
area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift on Sept. 4, the ship’s
public affairs office said in a release.

Wasp,
which replaced USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of
operations in January 2018, operated with U.S. Marine Corps forces from the III
Marine Expeditionary Force and helped expand the relationships the U.S.
military maintains with allies and partners in the region.

“The
performance by the Wasp crew has quite simply been superb,” said Rear Adm. Fred
Kacher, who is commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7.

“Over the
last two years, no ship in the Navy has been asked to do more than USS Wasp,
and the ship delivered in every way. The officers and crew rose to every
challenge, and we could not have asked for a better flagship to operate in the
most important and dynamic area in the world.”

As part of
the U.S. 7th Fleet’s forward deployed naval forces in Japan, Wasp made history
as the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy with the the F-35B Lightning II strike fighter,
which began operating onboard with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in March 2018.

“It has
been a profound honor for Wasp and her crew to serve 7th Fleet and its
ancillary commands during this time,” said Wasp’s commanding officer, Capt.
Gregory Baker. “Our Sailors have embraced the experiences and opportunities
available in this part of the world and are more operationally prepared to
continue supporting and executing the missions we are presented with. I
couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated or capable crew.”

President Trump
visited the ship and crew during his tour of Japan, becoming the first U.S.
president to visit the ship, and he extended accolades to the crew for their
accomplishments. Wasp participated in exercise Balikatan with the Philippine
military and exercise Talisman Sabre with the Australian Defence Force and
additional forces from Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The
ship also engaged in partnership missions designed to enhance interoperability
with numerous partners and allies supporting security and stability in the
Indo-Pacific region.

“What our
Wasp Sailors have accomplished here over almost two years, given the
operational tempo, and the nature of our multipronged mission, is overwhelming,
and it’s difficult not to constantly shine with pride,” said Wasp Command
Master Chief Kevin Guy, who also noted that more than half the ship’s company
had been geo-bachelors during the ship’s tenure in Japan.

“When you
consider that we have a large number of Sailors thousands of miles away from
their families and friends — their level of dedication under these
circumstances truly exemplifies the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment.”

The Navy announced earlier this year that Wasp will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), which will be accompanied by dock landing ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). USS America is scheduled to become part of the U.S. 7th Fleet forward-deployed naval forces in Sasebo, Japan, later this year.

The 7th Fleet spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the international date line to the India/Pakistan border, and form the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south. Encompassing 36 maritime countries, about 50 percent of the world’s population also falls within its area of responsibility.

KARLSKOGA, Sweden – BAE Systems has been selected by the
vessel contractor to provide the German federal police force, Bundespolizei,
with three 57 mm naval guns for its three new 86-meter offshore patrol vessels
(OPVs) built by Fassmer shipyard.

The gun systems, known as the Bofors 57 Mk3, will support
the maritime arm of the Bundespolizei that monitors the country’s North Sea and
Baltic coastlines.

The 57 Mk3 is a versatile gun system designed to react
quickly for close-to-shore operations.

“The Bofors 57 Mk3 is a versatile naval gun with firepower
and range that exceeds expectations when compared with similar, medium-caliber
naval gun systems. That’s how our 57 mm system has earned its reputation as the
deck gun of choice for ships operating in coastal environments,” said Ulf
Einefors, director of marketing and sales for BAE’s weapons business in Sweden.
“This contract expands the number of European nations deploying the 57 Mk3 and
reflects the growing interest we’re seeing in the region, where we look forward
to supporting new opportunities in the near future.”

The 57 Mk3 naval gun is also in use with the allied navies and coast guards of eight nations, including Canada, Finland, Mexico and Sweden as well as the United States, where it is known as the Mk110 naval gun.

This contract also includes accompanying fire control systems as well as systems integration support. Work is expected to begin immediately and will be performed at the BAE facility in Karlskoga, Sweden. The first unit is scheduled for delivery in 2020.

SAN JUAN,
Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez (WPC-1114) repatriated
12 migrants to the Dominican Republic Navy patrol boat Proción (GC-103) Sept. 1
near Samaná, Dominican Republic, following the interdiction of an illegal
migrant voyage in Mona Passage waters near Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard 7th
District said in a release.

The
interdiction is the result of ongoing efforts in support of Operation Unified
Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard and the Caribbean Border Interagency Group
(CBIG).

Coast
Guard watchstanders at the Sector San Juan Command Center received a report at
5:30 p.m. Aug. 31 from the aircrew of a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144
Ocean Sentry aircraft on a routine patrol of the Mona Passage. The aircrew
reported sighting what appeared to be an illegal migrant vessel transiting
eastbound, about 51 nautical miles north of Mona Island, Puerto Rico.

Coast
Guard watchstanders diverted the cutter Heriberto Hernandez to the scene.  Once on scene, the cutter’s crew stopped the
18-foot makeshift boat and safely embarked, for safety of life at sea concerns,
the nine men and three women who were aboard. The interdicted migrants claimed
to be of Dominican nationality.

“I’m proud
of all our Coast Guard crews who quickly returned in full force to protect the
coasts and our citizens in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following
the passing of Hurricane Dorian through the Eastern Caribbean,” said Capt. Eric
King, commander of Sector San Juan. “Their efforts prevented this illegal
migrant voyage from reaching our shores and saving 12 lives from a highly
dangerous situation, since migrant voyages often take place aboard grossly
overloaded and unseaworthy vessels with little or on no lifesaving equipment
onboard.”

Once
aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and
basic medical attention.

The Caribbean Border Interagency Group unifies efforts between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action.

These agencies share a common goal of securing the maritime border of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands against illegal migrant and drug smuggling threats. The Heriberto Hernandez is a 154-foot fast response cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

NEWPORT
NEWS, Va. — Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division
successfully completed the initial sea trials on the newest Virginia-class
submarine, Delaware (SSN 791), the company said in a release.

The
submarine, in the final stages of construction, spent three days at sea proving
all systems, components and compartments. Delaware submerged for the first time
and performed high-speed maneuvers on the surface and underwater.

“Delaware performed well during sea trials, which is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the incredible team of shipbuilders who are working to uphold our high standards of quality,” said Dave Bolcar, Newport News’ vice president of submarine construction. “We look forward to continuing our testing program to deliver the submarine to the U.S. Navy later this year.”

The submarine is scheduled to undergo a round of acceptance trials before it is delivered. More than 10,000 shipbuilders from Newport News and teaming partner General Dynamics Electric Boat and thousands of companies across 48 states have participated in Delaware’s construction since the work began in September 2013.

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.  — The U.S. Army awarded two contracts this week as it advances the fielding of a prototype hypersonic weapon by fiscal 2023, the U.S. Army said in an Aug. 30 release.

The Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) will
introduce a new class of ultrafast, maneuverable, long-range missiles that will
launch from mobile ground platforms.

“Delivering hypersonics to a unit of action will provide
a critical combat capability for the Army in support of the National Defense
Strategy,” said LTG L. Neil Thurgood, director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy,
Space and Rapid Acquisition. “With a collaborative effort by our partners in
industry and the Department of Defense, we will advance this strategic weapon
system and fulfill a critical mission for our nation.”

Hypersonic weapons are capable of flying at five times
the speed of sound and operate at varying altitudes, making them unique from
other missiles with a ballistic trajectory.

In March 2019, the secretary and chief of staff of the
Army directed the accelerated delivery of a prototype ground-launched
hypersonic weapon with residual combat capability by fiscal 2023. To execute
this strategy, the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office
(RCCTO) has selected two prime contractors to build and integrate components of
the LRHW prototype.

On August 29, the Army awarded an Other Transaction
Authority (OTA) agreement to Dynetics in the amount of $351.6 million to
produce the first commercially manufactured set of prototype Common-Hypersonic
Glide Body (C-HGB) systems.

Also on August 29, the Army awarded a second OTA
agreement to Lockheed Martin in the amount of $347.0 million as the LRHW
prototype system integrator.

The Army RCCTO is responsible for delivering the prototype LRHW battery, consisting of four trucks with launchers, hypersonic missile rounds and a command and control system. The OTA awards support the design, integration and production work that enables a series of flight tests beginning next year, leading to fielding in fiscal 2023.

In developing the LRHW, the Army is working in close
collaboration with the other services through a Joint Service Memorandum of
Agreement on hypersonics design, development, testing and production. As part
of the agreement, the Army will execute production of the C-HGB for all
services, while the Navy will lead the glide body design beginning in fiscal 2020.
This joint cooperation allows the services to leverage technologies, while
tailoring them to meet specific air, land and sea requirements.

The two contract awards mark an important step in
transitioning the development of Army hypersonic capabilities out of the
government laboratories and into commercial production. Initially, Dynetics
will work with Sandia National Laboratories to learn building of the glide
body.

Additional future awards are expected in order to
increase production of the C-HGB and to establish an industrial base for
hypersonics within the United States. Vendors selected for these subsequent
awards would also work with Sandia National Laboratories to learn production of
the C-HGB.

“Hypersonics is not a new technology – it’s a new
application of technology, with a new sense of urgency,” said Bob Strider,
deputy director of the Army Hypersonic Project Office, part of the RCCTO. “This
prototyping effort will leverage the great work of the government science and
technology community to take these systems to the next level and create an
industrial base going forward.”

The Army RCCTO, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.,
is chartered to develop rapid prototypes and field residual combat
capabilities.