ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Coast Guard is expanding its Charleston, South Carolina, station into a major Atlantic base and home to its newest class of cutters. In addition to five 418-foot national security cutters, the Coast Guard’s largest and…
Digital Modernization Among the Money Savers That Could Help Navy Reach 355 Ships, Modly Says
WASHINGTON — Digital modernization of U.S. Navy back-office operations is a largely overlooked activity that can improve readiness, cut costs and deliver educational content and training to personnel, acting Navy Secretary Thomas B. Modly said on Feb. 21. Participating in…
NAVAIR Orders Six VH-92 Presidential Helicopters From Sikorsky
ARLINGTON, Va. — Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Sikorsky a second production contract to build VH-92A helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps, the company said in a release. The VH-92A has been selected to provide transport for the president of the United…
USS Dewey Receives First ODIN Laser Weapon to Counter Enemy UAS
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy recently installed the first Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (ODIN), a laser weapon system that allows its ships to counter enemy unmanned aerial systems (UAS), Naval Sea Systems Command said. The first system was installed on the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey during the ship’s recently completed dry-docking. …
Coast Guard Commandant: Illegal Chinese Fishing a ‘National Security Challenge’ That Warrants U.S. Response
ARLINGTON, Va. — The “Great Power Competition” with Russia and China isn’t limited to winning allies in geostrategic flash points or sailing through contested areas to promote freedom of the seas, according to the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard….
Polar Star Completes Antarctic Treaty Inspections, Resupply Mission
MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica — The 159 crew members onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star departed McMurdo Station on Feb. 19 after escorting three refuel and resupply vessels and assisting with a five-day inspection of foreign research stations, installations and equipment in Antarctica, according to the Coast Guard Pacific…
Oshkosh Defense Receives $407.3 Million Order for JLTVs
OSHKOSH, Wis. — Oshkosh Defense said the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal has placed an order for 1,240 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and associated kits. The U.S. Marine Corps also will use the JLTV. In addition to the Marines, this order includes…
USS Normandy Seizes Illegal Weapons in Arabian Sea
The USS Normandy, while conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, boarded a dhow in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 9 in accordance with international law and discovered a large cache of weapons, according to a Feb. 13 U.S. Central Command release. The…
Marine Corps to Shift Acquisition Strategies, Training for China Rivalry, Commandant Says
WASHINGTON — To meet the pressing needs of the National Defense Strategy (NDS), the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are discarding development measures that have slowed the production of new amphibious ships and other platforms, Marine Commandant Gen. David H….
2021 Coast Guard Budget Seeks Second Polar Security Cutter
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to fully fund the second polar security cutter (PSC) and the third offshore patrol cutter (OPC), according to the proposed fiscal year 2021 U.S. Department of Homeland Security budget. The Coast Guard overall is seeking $12.3 billion for fiscal 2021, $77 million more than the $12.2 billion in the enacted 2020 budget. The 2021…
