MOBILE, Ala. — The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) during a ceremony in Mobile, Alabama, May 22, said commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. Due to COVID-19 limitations, 400 guests attended the socially…
Makin Island ARG, 15th MEU Returns from 7-Month Deployment
SAN DIEGO – More than 5,000 Sailors and Marines of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned to their San Diego homeport over the weekend, concluding a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas…
Construction Starts on Fleet Oiler Robert F. Kennedy
SAN DIEGO – Construction on the USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) began at the General Dynamics – National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (GD-NASSCO) shipyard, May 21, the Navy’s Program Executive Office – Ships said in a release. T-AO 208…
U.S. Coast Guard Establishes UxS Cross Functional Working Group
A report from the National Academies of Sciences has recommended the U.S. Coast Guard “take a more strategic and accelerated approach to exploit the capabilities of existing and future unmanned systems,” and the Coast Guard agrees. The report, “Leveraging Unmanned Systems…
Royal Navy draws from the past to name future frigates
The Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates will be an inspiration. According to First Sea Lord, Adm. Tony Radakin, who released the names of the first five ships, the frigates will be known as the Inspiration class. “Each of the names…
MARAD Announces Funding Opportunity for Marine Highway Program
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced on May 21 the availability of $10.8 million in grant funding for the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The AMHP’s purpose is to encourage the use of America’s 25,000…
Indonesia Will Patrol Vast Maritime Domain with New Tank Boat
It’s a tank! It’s a boat! It’s “Tank Boat!” The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has ordered a prototype of a new kind of maritime weapons system, the X18 “Tank Boat,” from a consortium composed of Indonesian companies and a European partner. Patrolling…
Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship USS Mobile
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy will commission its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Mobile (LCS 26), at 10:00 a.m. CDT, Saturday, May 22 in Mobile, Alabama, the Defense Department said in a May 21 release. Due to public…
Wave Piercing Design Being Adapted for Unmanned Vessel
Zycraft of Singapore is developing a high-speed unmanned surface vessel (HSUSV) capable of sustained speeds of 35 knots in Sea State 4 carrying a 1,100-pound payload (not including fuel). The HSUSV has both civil and military applications, from rapid rescue,…
U.S. Navy Exercises Option for Second Constellation-Class Guided Missile Frigate
WASHINGTON — The Navy awarded a contract option to Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build its second Constellation Class Guided Missile Frigate, the Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) Public Affairs said in a May 20 release. “The…
