PHILDELPHIA,  17 September 2024 — Leonardo celebrated a significant milestone with the 100th delivery of the TH-73A Thrasher helicopter to the United States Navy on September 17 at a ceremony in Northeast Philadelphia.  Attendees included Vice Adm. Daniel L. Cheever, Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering, Deputy Commandant for Aviation for the U.S. Marine Corps, along with a crowd of over one hundred dignitaries representing government, military, and nonprofit institutions. 

In early 2020, the Navy selected the Leonardo TH-73A, an advanced Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rated version of the commercial AW119Kx, to replace its aging fleet of TH-57B/C Sea Rangers as the primary training helicopter to produce the next generation of rotary and tilt-rotor pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and selected allied nations. 

“We’re proud to continue to provide our contribution to the Navy as it aims at delivering the highest level of quality for their next generation naval aviators’ training,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. “We’re committed to sustaining this capability with our technology to make sure our partners’ needs are met as frontline capabilities and operational requirements keep evolving.”     

“We are thrilled to deliver the 100th TH-73 to our esteemed U.S. Navy partners,” said Clyde Woltman, Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo Helicopters U.S. “This production milestone is a testament to all the collaboration and hard work between our organizations, and we remain focused on preparing for the fleet’s readiness for decades to come.”   

The TH-73A Advanced Helicopter Training System represents a pivotal modernization in Navy helicopter training technology, shifting from analog to digital avionics, and is projected to serve the U.S. Navy through 2050 and beyond. This enhanced training capability will help maintain the highest standard of military flight training with current and relevant training platforms. The TH-73A will facilitate a higher quality and more proficient naval aviator who will be ready to meet the operational challenges faced in the fleet.  

“The advanced capability of the TH-73 Thrasher is a great training addition for our warfighters,” said Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, Commander Naval Air Forces. “This means our newest Naval Aviators arrive ready to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win in war.” 

TH-73A’s advanced design, based on the IFR-certified variant of the commercial AW119Kx, sets it apart as the ideal selection for initial flight training with the capacity to support advanced operational maneuvers. The helicopter is powered by a robust Pratt & Whitney PT-6 engine and features dual safety and hydraulic systems, ensuring reliability and safety during all aspects of flight operations. With modern digital avionics provided by Genesys Aerosystems, the Thrasher excels in every maneuver within the Navy’s training program and expanded the training syllabi, facilitating a seamless transition from fundamental flying activities to complex operational training.  

Training by the numbers 

As of mid-August, the Navy’s advanced helicopter training syllabus is currently comprised of more than 317 total Student Naval Aviators (SNAs), of which 185, or 58%, are currently in the TH-73A training curriculum. This number is projected to peak at 66% when the second of three squadrons complete the transition this fall. The third and final squadron, Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 28, is expected to begin the transition to the TH-73 later this year.  

In addition, the commitment to flight training is unwavering, evidenced by the safe and effective execution of more than 43,000 flight hours flown in support of the Navy’s training requirements. To support the dynamic training environment, 133 Training Air Wing (TW) 5 instructor pilots have been qualified in the TH-73A, comprised of 86 conversion instructors and 47 new Instructors Under Training (IUTs). Many additional IUTs continue to hone their skills within the helicopter instructor training unit. The program also benefits from the expertise of eight contract maintenance provider Functional Check Pilots who have been qualified in the model in direct support of the program. More than 200 SNAs have completed the TH-73A syllabus and been winged Naval Aviators to date. 

18 September 2024 

From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs 

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti released her Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) for America’s Warfighting Navy at the Naval War College, Sept. 18. 

NAVPLAN 2024 follows the CNO’s release of America’s Warfighting Navy in January, and serves as an update to the 2022 NAVPLAN. 

“The Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy is my overarching strategic guidance to make our Navy more ready, prioritizing raising our level of readiness for potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China by 2027 while also enhancing the Navy’s long-term warfighting advantage,” said Franchetti. “The NAVPLAN continues where my predecessor’s Navigation Plan left off and sets our course to raise our Fleet’s baseline level of readiness and put more ready Players on the Field – platforms that are ready with the requisite capabilities, weapons, and sustainment and people that are ready with the right mindset, skills, tools, and training.” 

This strategic guidance focuses on two strategic ends: readiness for conflict with the PRC by 2027 and enhancing long-term advantage. It aims to achieve these ends through two central ways: implementing seven “Project 33” targets and expanding the Navy’s contribution to the Joint warfighting ecosystem. These efforts are reinforced by an ongoing call to action to think, act, and operate differently. 

You can download the NAVPLAN and find additional resources at: America’s Warfighting Navy. 

From U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam, Sept. 17, 2024 

KOROR, Republic of Palau — At the request of the Republic of Palau and in response to their concerns of potential illicit maritime activity occurring in Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam (FMSG) and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point dispatched personnel and equipment to enact the agreement between the U.S. and Palau Concerning Operational Cooperation to Suppress Illicit Transnational Maritime Activity (U.S. – Palau Bilateral Agreement), and in doing so enhanced Palau’s maritime domain awareness.  
 
In the recent joint operation, which occurred Sept. 6-8, 2024, a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules and aircrew embarked Palauan enforcement officials and U.S. Coast Guard specialists to patrol over 6,000 miles, identifying numerous illegal fish aggregation devices (FADs) and sighting vessels in and around Palau’s EEZ.  
 
Exercising provisions of the U.S.–Palau bilateral agreement, the operation employed a Palauan air rider, Palau’s Joint Operations Center (JOC), and U.S. Coast Guard liaisons to maximize technologies and maritime domain awareness tools to monitor and patrol Palau’s waters and domestic fishing zones. 
 
“Our collaboration with the Palauan air rider and Palau’s Division of Marine Law Enforcement was instrumental in swiftly identifying illicit activities within Palau’s waters. This mission demonstrates the power of partnership and shared commitment to protecting maritime resources and maintaining sovereignty,” said Lt. Cmdr. Derek Wallin, the U.S. Coast Guard Compact of Free Association maritime advisor. 
 
U.S. Coast Guard liaison officers collaborated with the Division of Marine Law Enforcement and the Joint Operations Center in Koror to enhance maritime domain awareness alongside a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew deployed to Palau by the U.S. Coast Guard 14th District. The U.S. Embassy in Koror coordinated the request from the government of Palau.  
 
“It was fantastic to have members of the Republic of Palau’s maritime law enforcement team aboard the aircraft, who’ve previously sailed with us on our Fast Response Cutters and participated in Operation Irensia in Guam earlier this year,” said Wallin. “The participation underscores the deep and enduring ties between our teams, demonstrating the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to protecting Palau’s waters and the wider Blue Pacific.” 
 
Operational Highlights  
– U.S. Coast Guard Assets and Personnel Involved:  
– 03 U.S. Coast Guard liaison officers and specialists  
– Aircraft and aircrew from U.S. Coast Guard Hercules from Oahu, Hawai’i  
 
– Enacted Agreement:  
– Exercising the U.S. and Palau agreement to suppress illicit transnational maritime activity in and around Palau’s EEZ and territorial waters. 
 
– Results:  
– Approximately 50 hours of JOC watchstanding to coordinate and analyze maritime domain awareness efforts.  
– Hercules aircrew patrolled approximately 2,000 miles daily.  
– Hercules aircrew patrolled nearby high seas and verified 12 vessels and additional radar signatures of FADs along the Palau EEZ. 
 
One of the Palauan air riders described the operation as an unforgettable experience, praising the smooth flight, the professionalism of the aircrew, and the lasting memories made during the mission. The reports gathered during these operations will guide future efforts by Palauan and U.S. Coast Guard surface asset crews to locate, dismantle, and deter illegal fishing operations. This collaborative mission emphasizes the importance of aerial surveillance and the enduring U.S.-Palau partnership in safeguarding sovereignty and promoting good governance across the Blue Pacific. 
 
“The U.S. Coast Guard is proud to work alongside the Republic of Palau in this vital effort. The value of aerial support cannot be overstated, and together, we are strengthening maritime governance to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the Pacific. Our enduring partnership reflects our mutual dedication to protecting these vital waters from exploitation,”  
said Capt. Robert Kistner, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia.  
 
The U.S. Coast Guard remains dedicated to supporting Palau’s maritime security through continued aerial, surface, and information-sharing operations, fostering a secure maritime environment for all who rely on the region’s resources. 

Collins’ Display with Mosarc increases cockpit processing power by 75% and decreases certification risk  

From RTX  

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Sept. 18, 2024) — Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, received the first-ever FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval for a fully enabled multi-core processor. The Collins Multifunction Display, powered by Mosarc™, will increase the speed, capacity and flexibility of an aircraft’s flight deck, providing 75% more capability than traditional single core processors. 

With this authorization, the Multifunction Display is now the world’s first multi-core processor that’s certified for civil and military aircraft and facilitates simultaneous use of all processing cores across all Design Assurance Level (DAL) standards. This certification paves the way to utilize the processor for future hardware to enable multi-core processing.  

“On a military mission, every second counts and access to information is critical,” said Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager of Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace. “Collins’ display is the only multi-core processor on the market that is certified by the FAA and is being used by the U.S. Army. This translates to being much more efficient in integrating new capabilities while also being able to safely run more applications in parallel than ever before.” 

This enhanced performance comes from the system’s ability to process data 12 times faster than a single core processor, consuming 40% less power. It integrates multiple operating systems, which enables rapid third-party integration and reduces vendor lock. Ultimately, this provides platforms the flexibility to integrate evolving mission-systems capabilities in weeks rather than recertifying flight critical applications every time, which can take months or longer.  

Collins has been a leading provider of civil-certified, high integrity, safety-critical processors for military aircraft for more than two decades. To date, the display has completed more than 6,000 hours of flight tests and is optimized for use in rotary-wing, fighter, bomber and trainer environments. 

Company expansion driven by industry growth 

MOBILE, Ala. (September 17, 2024) – Silver Ships recently expanded to a second location to maximize the efficiency of their boat manufacturing process. Silver Ships, headquartered in Theodore, Alabama specializes in producing high-quality aluminum workboats for military, federal, state and municipal governments as well as commercial applications. 

Today, they are announcing their recent manufacturing warehouse expansion that is strategically located less than one mile from their original 95,000 square-foot facility and headquarters. The new facility adds 16,500 square feet to its extensive manufacturing process and creates an additional 18,500 square feet of additional outfitting space in the original location. 

“Adding a second manufacturing location is a natural progression of our team’s work to support the growing workboat segment,” said Steven Clarke, Silver Ships CEO. “Our team works tirelessly to provide customers with the highest-quality, customized, mission-ready aluminum vessels in the industry. Facility expansion to meet the demands of the market is necessary to achieve the quality and deliver timelines of our customers.” 

Silver Ships is applying Just-In-Time manufacturing principles to reduce unnecessary inventory through continuous improvement, response to customer demand and an increase in throughput to improve efficiency. The new facility serves as the metal warehouse and houses the design and engineering departments. Silver Ships will transport materials to the original facility to begin the build process. To accomplish Silver Ships manufacturing goals, new team members will be added as needed. Watch their updated company video to learn more about Silver Ships and their facilities.  

Silver Ships’ extensive facilities, on-site Naval Architect and engineering staff and production resources keep customers’ needs at the forefront to produce a low-stress and rewarding workboat build experience. 

By Team Ships Public Affairs, Sept. 13, 2024

SAN DIEGO – The future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) was delivered to the U.S. Navy, Sept. 12. 

The ship is named for Private First Class Robert Ernest Simanek, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for shielding fellow Marines from a grenade at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Korean War. The Medal of Honor was presented to him by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a White House ceremony in 1953. 

“From christening in May 2024 to delivery, it has been an exciting time for those who spend each day preparing this ship to support our fleet,” said Tim Roberts, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform used across various military operations. ESB ships are mobile sea-based assets and are a part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces, equipment, supplies, and warfighting capability.” 

ESBs are optimized to support a variety of maritime based missions, including Special Operations Forces, Airborne Mine Counter Measures, Crisis Response Force Sea Basing, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Unmanned Aviation Systems. The ESBs, which include a four spot V-22 sized flight deck, mission deck and hangar, are designed around four core capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing, equipment staging support, and command and control assets.  

Follow-on ship, future USS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8) is under construction at NASSCO. 

PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, auxiliary ships, special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships. 

From SECNAV Public Affairs, 17 September 2024

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro’s Chief of Staff Mr. Christopher Diaz delivered remarks at the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) Maritime Economic Deterrence Executive Council (MEDEC) to discuss the importance of the initiative at Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 17, 2024. 
 
MEDEC is the Navy’s acknowledgement of maritime economic risks and represents the department’s commitment to helping researchers identify and address problems early for the safety of Navy personnel, as well as the security of U.S. allies and partners. 
 
The council brought together industry leaders to form breakout groups and discussions throughout the day. The findings and recommendations generated today will directly inform Secretary Del Toro to develop MEDEC’s approach to working with Navy partners throughout the government, in industry, and in the investment community. 
 
For over 80 years, the Department of the Navy has challenged the analysts of CNA with tackling the hardest problems facing our Navy-Marine Corps team, informing national decisionmakers as they chart our nation’s course. 
 
“MEDEC serves as the coordinating body for the organizations throughout the Department of the Navy that are focused on addressing adversarial economic activities that threaten the technologies and capabilities our Sailors and Marines rely on for their competitive advantages in the maritime domain,” said Diaz. 
 
Secretary Del Toro announced the creation of MEDEC in New York City during a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute and the Bloomberg Foundation Feb. 22, 2024. 
 
“We have brought together experts from a wide range of disciplines from across our department, including supply chain management, technology protection and security, foreign investment review, intelligence and law enforcement, among others,” said Diaz. 
 
MEDEC is co-chaired by Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), Vice Adm. Scott Pappano. 
 
“Our adversaries are pushing the boundaries and pursuing courses of actions that go beyond leveraging their military might, to include exploitation of the investment, industry, and innovation ecosystems that serve as the engine of the economies of the United States, our allies, and our international partners,” said Pappano. 
 
“It is critical that we get this right, for every compromise of a capability, every loss of intellectual property that is critical to the technologies we rely on, represents a material loss to investors, firms, and their employees,” said Diaz. “More importantly, loss or compromise creates serious risk for our personnel operating around the globe, and that is a risk we are unwilling to accept.” 
 
CNA is an independent, nonprofit research and analysis organization dedicated to the safety and security of the nation. For 80 years, CNA’s scientific rigor and real-world approach to data has been indispensable to leaders facing complex problems. 

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District, Sept. 16, 2024 

JUNEAU, Alaska — The U.S. Coast Guard located four Russian Federation Navy (RFN) vessels Sunday, 57 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska.   

While on a routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea, the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) observed the RFN vessels transiting southeast along the Russian side of the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL).  

The crew of the Stratton witnessed the RFN vessels cross the MBL into the U.S. Arctic and moved to observe the vessels. The Russian vessels were assessed to be avoiding sea ice on the Russian side of the MBL and operated in accordance with international rules and customs as they transited approximately 30 miles into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.  

“We are actively patrolling our maritime border in the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea, with our largest and most capable cutters and aircraft, to protect U.S. sovereign interests, U.S. fish stocks, and to promote international maritime norms,” said Rear Adm. Megan Dean, Commander of Coast Guard District Seventeen. “Coast Guard Cutter Stratton ensured there were no disruptions to U.S. interests.”  

The Russian Surface Action Group consisted of a Severodvinsk-class submarine, Dolgorukiy-class submarine, Steregushchiy– class Frigate, and Seliva-class tug.   

The Stratton is patrolling under Operation Frontier Sentinel, an operation designed to meet presence with presence when strategic competitors operate in and around U.S. waters. The Coast Guard’s presence strengthens the international rules-based order and promotes the conduct of operations in a manner that follows international law and norms.    

Coast Guard Cutter Stratton is a 418-foot legend class national security cutter homeported in Alameda, Calif. 

KONGSBERG, NORWAY – Sept. 17, 2024 – Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is building a state-of-the-art missile production facility in the United States to meet global demand, following expansion in Norway and the recently announced missile factory in Australia. Located near key U.S. Navy facilities, the site in James City County, Virginia will provide additional production capacity, sustainment and in-country tech refresh capabilities for Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM).  

“The new missile production facilities in the U.S., Australia and Norway address the strong and long-term demand for our unique technology and the critical need to strengthen collective defense capabilities. Kongsberg has a proud history in the U.S. and we are delighted to continue to invest in the country to support American interests while creating jobs locally,” said Geir Håøy, CEO of Kongsberg. 

This is the second new missile production facility Kongsberg has announced in as many months, and the decision to locate this facility in the U.S. was heavily influenced by the possibility that the Department of Defense could award a multiyear procurement contract to Kongsberg.   

“The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are important customers for Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. Their demand signals gave us the predictability we needed to make this investment in the United States,” said Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace. “This will allow us to better serve our allies in the U.S. and continue to expand that supply chain locally, building capacity and redundancy for these critical capabilities.” 

Kongsberg’s investments will increase overall U.S. manufacturing capability and further increase capacity to build these advanced systems, but more importantly, it will bring this capability to the U.S.   

“Kongsberg is investing in a big way in the U.S. market by making Virginia the U.S. home of our new missile factory, which will entail hiring more than 180 people. We will also be investing more than $100 million into the Commonwealth of Virginia over the next few years, in terms of property, plant and equipment,” said Heather Armentrout, president and general manager, Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Kongsberg. “This is in addition to expansion at our core U.S. production facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.”  

The new facility in James City County will be equipped to assemble, upgrade and repair both NSM and JSM. The NSM is an anti-ship missile with superior operational performance and high survivability against all enemy defense systems. The JSM is an air-launched strike missile designed to fulfill complex missions, such as Anti-surface Warfare (ASuW) and land attack. The JSM is designed to be deployed internal to the weapons bay of the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A, a characteristic that preserves the low observability features of the aircraft throughout any strike mission. KONGSBERG’s JSM is the only long-range precision strike munition that offers that capability.  

by Lt. Brinn Hefron, 11 September 2024 

SAN DIEGO – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14) arrived at its San Diego homeport Sept. 11, following an 18-month deployment. 
 
“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments made by the USS Manchester crews throughout their 18 months of deployed operations,” said Capt. Douglas Meagher, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. “Littoral combat ships like Manchester have and continue to demonstrate strategic value through relevant presence and unique access in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening relationships with maritime allies and partners.” 
 
While deployed, Manchester participated in several multi-national exercises including Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2023, Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) 2023, Pacific Griffin 2023, and Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia. 
 
“I am excited to see the LCS community involved in all aspects of multinational training and exercises. Ships like Manchester demonstrate the LCS value to Fleet Commanders, made possible by the men and women onboard,” said Cmdr. Matthew Farrell, commanding officer of the Manchester Gold crew. “I am proud to have sailed throughout the Indo-Pacific with this crew of warfighters, and we are excited to return home to San Diego to spend time with family and friends.” 
 
Manchester participated in MNEK off the coast of Indonesia in June 2023. The exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief rather than operational warfighting. 
 
In July 2023, Manchester embarked Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 and a U.S. Coast Guard tactical law enforcement team to support OMSI 2023. The Coast Guard tactical law enforcement team is a specialized force that carries out maritime interdiction, security, and counter-narcotics operations. OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program that leverages Department of Defense assets transiting the region to improve maritime security and maritime domain awareness, ultimately supporting regional stability and partnerships in Oceania. 
 
Manchester transited the Philippine Sea during Exercise Pacific Griffin 2023, June 2023, alongside Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14), as well as Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class stealth frigate RSS Tenacious (FFC 71) and Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Dauntless (LMV 21). Pacific Griffin is a maritime exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Singapore conducted in waters near Guam. During the two weeks of dynamic training evolutions ashore and at sea, the two navies enhanced combined maritime proficiency and strengthened relationships. 
 
“One of the greatest aspects of deploying to the Indo-Pacific is the opportunity to work alongside our allies and partners. Whether that was with the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Philippine Navy or the Republic of Singapore Navy, it was an honor to work side-by-side with them,” said Farrell. 
 
In August 2023, Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to EOD Mobile Unit 5 conducted an anti-terrorism force protection inspection training dive underneath Manchester. 
 
As part of MTA Malaysia 2023, Manchester conducted complex at-sea training such as surface warfare, live-fire gunnery exercises, flight operations and advanced ship-handling tactics with the Royal Malaysian Navy. The MTA strengthens bilateral ties between the United States and Malaysia and allows the two countries to work together with a goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. 
 
While in port, Manchester Sailors fostered strong relationships with host nations. In Subic Bay, Philippines, Manchester provided ship tours to the Philippine Navy and a damage control demonstration. In Sriracha, Thailand, Sailors volunteered at the Child Protection and Development Center. 
 
During deployment, Manchester conducted port visits to six partner and allied nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. 
 
Manchester repeatedly demonstrated resilience and LCS sustainability by consistently maintaining extended operations at sea. During deployment, Manchester spent 32 continuous days underway supporting theater priority operations. 
 
Manchester is a fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCSs like Manchester integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.