ARLINGTON, Va. — The fleet replacement squadron for the Navy’s CMV-22B Osprey community has been established by the Navy to prepare future aviators, aircrew, and maintenance personnel for operating and maintaining the fleet’s newest aircraft type. 

Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 50 (VRM-50) was established on Oct. 1 at Naval Air Station North Island, California. The SunHawks, as they are known, will grow the squadron over time to assume training of Navy personnel from Fleet Logistics Medium Multi-Mission Wing Training Detachment 204, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. 

One of the two fleet squadrons destined to operate the CMV-22B, VRM-30, was established in 2018. It will be the first to deploy a detachment of CMV-22Bs to replace C-2A Greyhound carrier-onboard-delivery aircraft on aircraft carriers.  

The Navy took delivery of its first CMV-22B in February. The aircraft type is scheduled to reach Initial Operational Capability on 2021, in time to deploy on USS Carl Vinson, which also will take the F-35C Lightning II strike fighter on its first deployment. 

A fleet squadron for the East Coast carriers, VRM-40, will be established in the future. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The names of U.S. Navy ships, which often invoke tradition, also often invoke controversy, especially among naval historians and fans of naval history. The Oct. 7 naming of the first ship of the next-generation guided-missile frigate (FFG(X), USS Constellation, by Navy Secretary Kenneth J. Braithwaite was well received but still has invited some lamentation. 

The Navy puts great thought in selecting names for ships. Going back to World War II, for example, the Navy had an easily understood system. Battleships were named for states; heavy and light cruisers for cities; destroyers for Navy and Marine Corps heroes and individuals prominent to the sea services; submarines for sea creatures; and aircraft carriers for historic naval ships and battles.  

The prevailing system changed over time. For example, the Polaris ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs), as a new type, were named for prominent Americans and foreign military personnel who aided America. Later, with battleships being phased out, state names were given to the Ohio-class SSBNs. State names also were given to the Virginia-class attack submarines and now the Columbia-class SSBN. 

Increasingly, some standard name conventions were interrupted with aberrations, such as with the name of a politician who was noted for his support of maritime power.  

Seapower collected some opinions from a few naval historians and analysts to get a sounding of the sentiment toward the name Constellation for the new frigate. Excerpts follow: 

“Ships bearing the name Constellation have had storied careers and have proudly served the nation from the 18^th century on. During the 1799-1800 Quasi War, Constellation won signal victories against French frigates L’Insurgente and La Vengeance. The sloop of war Constellation built in 1854 and now gracing Baltimore’s waterfront reminds visitors of the U.S. Navy in the age of sail. And finally, aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64) distinguished herself in six combat deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. The name Constellation will be a welcome addition to the U.S. Navy of the 21^st Century.” 

–Edward J. Marolda, Ph.D., former director of Naval History (Acting)  

“The news of the Navy’s naming a new ship with the honored name USS Constellation is indeed welcome.  … With this impressive historic record of service of three previous ships named USS Constellation, it is both fitting and proper to welcome the fourth ship of the name and a new class of frigates, with the designation USS Constellation (FFG 62) to continue the traditions of the naval service. “

–William S. Dudley, Ph.D., former director of Naval History and the U.S. Naval Historical Center (now Naval History and Heritage Command), 1995-2004. 

“The first Constellation’s victory over L’Insurgente in the so-called Quasi-War with France is worthy of memorializing as are sister frigates United States, President, and Congress … maybe not so much Chesapeake! Of course, Constitution still remains in commission at Boston.”    

–David Winkler, Ph.D., staff historian, Naval Historical Foundation 

“Constellation is an encouraging change from the Navy’s all-too erratic record of naming ships. Let us hope that SECNAV continues the historic link to frigates with similar names for men-o-war.” 

–Barrett Tillman, author and historian 

“How have we named the last few hundred frigates/DEs/DEGs? … Let’s keep that system that has served us well. The same for aircraft carriers … traditionally destroyers were named for Medal of Honor winners, not carriers. Our naval leaders should preserve our naval history … including the scheme for naming warships.”  

–Norman Polmar, author and historian 

“Constellation is a nice choice for the first U.S. Navy FFGX frigate. SECNAV Braithwaite also confirmed the FFG 62 hull number, which actually is what it should be, unlike DDG 1000, LCS1, SSN 21. The name has a long and proud U.S. Navy tradition. Not to be crabby, but I would have preferred sticking to the naming scheme long in use for destroyers and frigates — Naval and Marine heroes and people of significance. There are hundreds — thousands — of very deserving and inspiring heroes who have not been so commemorated.” 

–Chris Cavas, naval historian and reporter 

NSWC Crane, Ind. — The Department of Defense (DoD) established its Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO) Systems Engineering Field Activity at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) on Oct. 15, the Department said in a release.  

Through this partnership, located in Crane, Indiana, the Department can leverage the growing suite of government, industry, and academic leaders associated with NSWC Crane. Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Dr. Mark Lewis, and JHTO Director, Dr. Gillian Bussey, announced the JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity opening in a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 15 with Governor Eric Holcomb. 

“The JHTO and its Systems Engineering Field Activity present a signature opportunity for the Department. Leveraging the capabilities at NSWC Crane, we can not only develop effective hypersonic technologies, but we can also develop them affordably at the speed of relevance to our warfighters. Proactive engineering for affordable upgrades is critical to the long-term sustainability of these systems,” Dr. Lewis said. 

NSWC Crane has previously received recent DoD hypersonics awards to advance testing, verification and validation capabilities. This includes $150 million in unique capabilities such as an underwater launch test complex, a missile technology evaluation facility, an integrated Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) / Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) test bed, and a Modeling & Simulation lab. More than three hundred people at Crane are working to advance hypersonic technologies and the enabling capabilities to make them possible. 

“NSWC Crane has become a critical hub in the hypersonics development ecosystem,” says Rick Davidoff, acting director of the JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity. “This exciting announcement is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of many people. The JHTO Field Activity at Crane will allow OSD [Office of the Secretary of Defense to leverage earlier and ongoing investments at Crane to help all three Services improve their hypersonic weapons with more rapid, adaptable, and modular upgrades. Indiana and the larger Midwest will have a long-term, critical role in this important national security mission.” 

The JHTO, headquartered at the Pentagon, was established by Congressional direction and its authorities were renewed in the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The JHTO is responsible for creating strategies and roadmaps to develop hypersonic technologies and transition them to operational capabilities, for coordinating with foreign allies and partners, and for bolstering the hypersonics workforce. Additionally, it is establishing a university consortium for applied hypersonics to leverage the nation’s academic community towards hypersonics-related research and workforce development.  

The JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity at Crane will perform detailed engineering activities to help execute the JHTO’s mandate. The Field Activity will coordinate architectures, interfaces, schedules, and plans to transition a more modular, affordable, and upgradable hypersonics portfolio of capabilities and technologies. The Systems Engineering Field Activity has four engineering focus areas: System Architectures and Guidelines, Science & Technology Management, Transition Management, and Modeling and Simulation. The Field Activity will also execute some workforce development initiatives, including sponsored research, curriculum development, and engagements with industry to create a growing pipeline of highly technical talent to enter the hypersonics workforce. 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday conducted a phone call Oct. 15 with the chief of the French navy Adm. Pierre Vandier, the CNO’s public affairs said in a release.  

The two leaders discussed issues affecting maritime security and areas to expand cooperation at sea, to include enhancing the two navies’ ability to conduct future high-end operations together.  

“The operations our two navies conduct at sea today have been built on centuries of maritime partnership,” said Gilday. “I look forward to working closely with Adm. Vandier for years to come as we sail alongside our French allies to reinforce security, stability and prosperity around the globe.”  

Gilday also thanked Vandier during the call for the French navy’s close collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“We have a very close bilateral relationship, which has always grown stronger over time,” said Vandier. “We need to find a way to maintain the same degree of interoperability over the long term and seek to better organize our cooperation in order to share a common strategic approach, all over the world.”  

The U.S. and French navies frequently operate together around the world. Most recently, USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and French navy frigate FS La Fayette (F 710) conducted combined operations Oct. 8, 2020, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, the two navies have participated together this past year in the NATO exercise Dynamic Mariner, RIMPAC 2020, and conducted dual aircraft carrier flight operations in the Mediterranean Sea.  

This phone call was the first between the two leaders since Vandier was appointed 62nd chief of the French navy (Marine Nationale) on Sept. 1, 2020.  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced in an Oct. 15 release the award of more than $220 million in discretionary grant funding to improve port facilities in 16 states and territories through the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD’s) Port Infrastructure Development Program.  

“This $220 million in federal grants will improve America’s ports with nearly half the projects are located in Opportunity Zones, which were established to revitalize economically distressed communities,” Chao said. 

U.S. maritime ports are critical links in the U.S. domestic and international trade supply chain and this funding will assist in the improvement of port facilities at or near coastal seaports. The Port Infrastructure Development Program aims to support efforts by ports and industry stakeholders to improve facility and freight infrastructure to ensure our nation’s freight transportation needs, present and future, are met. The program provides planning, operational and capital financing, and project management assistance to improve their capacity and efficiency.  

Of the 18 projects that were awarded grants, eight are located in Opportunity Zones, created to revitalize economically distressed communities using private investments. 

“This critical investment demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to supporting our nation’s ports and maritime industry,” said Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby. “These grants will help our nation’s economy and ensure that America’s ports can continue to operate effectively in the competitive global marketplace.” 

Ports provide countless jobs for Americans and are key to a nation that heavily relies on its maritime services. By providing the funding to support the improvement of this critical infrastructure component, MARAD and the Department of Transportation are ensuring these services will succeed during the nation’s ongoing economic recovery.   

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser (WPC-1116) repatriated 45 of 48 migrants to the Dominican Republic Oct. 11, following the interdiction of three illegal voyages in the Mona Passage near Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard 7^th District said in an Oct. 13 release. 

Two of the interdicted migrants remain in Puerto Rico to face possible federal prosecution on charges of attempted illegal re-entry into the United States.  

One other female migrant is receiving medical care at a local hospital in Puerto Rico. 

The interdictions are the result of ongoing multiagency efforts in support of Operation Caribbean Guard and the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG). 

“The close collaboration, coordination and capabilities of the Coast Guard units and of our local and federal law enforcement partners who responded to these cases helped save the lives of all 48 migrants and safeguard the nation’s southernmost maritime border,” said Lt. Joel Wyman, cutter Winslow Griesser commanding officer. “These illegal voyages greatly endanger the lives of the migrants, since for the most part, these makeshift vessels are grossly overloaded, unseaworthy and are continuously are taking on water, which could cause them to sink or capsize with little or no warning.” 

The first interdiction occurred Oct. 9, after the crew of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft detected an illegal voyage approximately 17 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders diverted the cutter Winslow Griesser to interdict, while a Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action (F.U.R.A.) marine unit also responded. 

Once on scene, the Coast Guard and Puerto Rico Police marine units interdicted the 25-foot makeshift boat.  The crew of the cutter Winslow Griesser safely embarked the 38 migrants, 31 men and seven women, all of whom claimed Dominican Republic nationality. 

The second interdiction also occurred on Oct. 9, after the crew of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft detected an illegal voyage, approximately 58 nautical miles northwest of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr. (WPC-1107), which interdicted the 18-foot makeshift boat with the assistance of the cutter’s small boat. The cutter crew safely embarked seven migrants, five men and two women, all of whom claimed Dominican Republic nationality.  A female migrant in this group who experienced deteriorating health complications while aboard the migrant vessel, was med-evaced to a local hospital. 

A Puerto Rico Police F.U.R.A. marine unit interdicted the third illegal voyage Oct. 11, approximately two nautical miles north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  The cutter Winslow Griesser diverted to the scene and embarked three men, all of whom claimed Dominican Republic nationality. 

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

After embarking all migrants, the crew conducted biometrics processing for the group, which revealed the criminal and immigration history for the two migrants, who are facing federal prosecution.  U.S. Border Patrol agents received custody of both migrants in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. 

Cutter Winslow Griesser completed the repatriation of the remaining migrants to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel in waters just off Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 

Cutters Winslow Griesser and Charles David Jr. are 154-foot fast response cutters respectively homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Key West, Florida. 

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, D.C. — Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Kenneth J. Braithwaite announced Oct. 13 at the Washington Navy Yard that the U.S. Navy intends to build a new National Museum of the U.S. Navy (NMUSN). 

At the announcement, Braithwaite, with Naval History and Heritage Command Director, retired Rear Adm. Samuel Cox, unveiled renderings for the new NMUSN campus and emphasized Navy’s connection or the American people. 

“It is vital that the American people understand the importance of a strong and viable naval force. As a Maritime Nation, our future depends on it,” said Braithwaite. “On behalf of the United States Navy, and with deepest gratitude to every one of our great partners, it is my honor to announce plans for a new campus for the National Museum of the United States Navy. The new museum campus will serve as an educational, inspirational, cultural and ceremonial center for those who have served, and are serving in the Navy today. The exhibits in this advanced museum will demonstrate the critical role the Navy has played in the defense of our Nation.” 

The current NMUSN, which falls under Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), is located inside the Washington Navy Yard. The ideal site for the new Navy museum is in the vicinity of the historic Washington Navy Yard, but the final location is not yet finalized. The new NMUSN campus will give the public unfettered access to U.S. Navy history and heritage. 

On the Navy’s 245^th birthday, NHHC Director, retired Rear Adm. Samuel Cox remarked on the importance of celebrating Navy’s service and the tangible tribute to the service and sacrifice of our Sailors. 

“Naval History and Heritage Command’s mission of preserving and presenting an accurate history of the U.S. Navy to the American public is essential to honoring those who have served and are serving the Navy today,” Cox said. 

NHHC will serve as the Navy’s lead for coordinating the building of the new museum. The museum  will be an advanced, campus design that will  bring to life the human experiences of serving in the U.S. Navy, deliver leading-edge engagement to amplify Navy priorities and operations, showcase the history and heritage of all Navy communities, and create a memorial to our heritage and the service and sacrifice of American Sailors. 

While unable to attend in-person, Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy, Russell Smith, provided video remarks. “Giving the public better accessibility allows us to share a deeper understanding of our rich history and heritage with the American people,” said Smith. “This is important, because our history is America’s history.” 

To raise funds for the new museum, the Navy plans to partner with a registered 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to preserve, commemorate, and share the history of the U.S. Navy. The total estimated funds required for the construction of the state-of-the-art facility is $204M for phase one of the project with opportunities for spiral development of additional phases totaling $450M. 

Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy’s unique and enduring contributions through our nation’s history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, ten museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus. 

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Kenneth J. Braithwaite announced Oct. 13 that a future guided-missile destroyer and Virginia-class attack submarine will be named USS John F. Lehman (DDG 137) and USS Barb (SSN 804), respectively. 

The future USS John F. Lehman will honor the 65th Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman who served under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1987, and the future USS Barb will carry the name of two storied submarines, (SS 220) and (SSN 596). 

“Our future success depends on leveraging the stories of those who sailed into harm’s way, to teach and inspire the service of those who now wear the uniform,” said Braithwaite. “Those two namesakes carry a great legacy that will be continued when these warships take to the fleet.” 

Lehman, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native, spent three years in the Air Force Reserves before accepting a commission of Ensign in the Naval Reserve in January 1968, where he advanced to the rank of captain. During his tenure as SECNAV, Lehman advocated for a 600-ship Navy that would provide the United States with “unquestioned naval superiority.” His bold Maritime Strategy to surge U.S. naval power into the Soviet maritime domain sent a strong signal to the Soviet Union that President Reagan’s “peace through strength” motto was no empty phrase, thus hastening the end of the Cold War. He also paved a path to engagement with China, leading to the first U.S. ships entering Chinese waters in more than 30 years. 

The first USS Barb, a Gato-class submarine (SS 220), was commissioned in 1942 and joined Submarine Squadron 50 in the Atlantic as part of Operation Torch in World War II. In 1943, the vessel was redeployed to the Pacific Fleet. There, conducting missions under Commander Eugene “Lucky” Fluckey, she would earn four Presidential Citations, a Navy Unit Commendation, and eight battle stars for her outstanding World War II service. She was decommissioned in 1954. 

The second USS Barb, a Permit-class nuclear submarine (SSN 596), was commissioned in 1963. Based at Pearl Harbor, she was the designated flagship for the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and took part in special operations in Vietnamese waters in 1971 as part of Task Group 77.9. The vessel served as a test platform for the Tomahawk cruise missile in 1977 and 1978. She was decommissioned in 1989. 

“These naval combatants, and many others named after historic leaders and battle-tested namesakes are one of the key components of our great Naval culture and heritage,” said Braithwaite. “The other are the men and women who volunteer to serve this great nation above self, adding to the fabric of honor, courage and commitment which guides our great Navy each and every day.”   

SALT LAKE CITY — Sarcos Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarcos Robotics, has been awarded a contract by the Office of Naval Research to develop a remote-controlled variant of the upper body of the innovative Sarcos Guardian XO wearable exoskeleton robot, the company said in an Oct. 13 release.  

The new, platform-agnostic, upper-body variant will be adapted to attach to a variety of mobile bases, such as wheeled or tracked vehicles that can operate at height. These include boom lifts, scissor lifts, and bucket trucks to address maintenance and logistics needs. Leveraging more than 30 years of technology development from prosthetic arms and humanoid robots to powered, full-body exoskeletons, the Guardian DX defense robot variant and the Guardian XT commercial robot variant will provide unparalleled strength, dexterity, precision, and versatility at human scale, enabling the robot to perform difficult tasks in dangerous environments while keeping the operator safe and out of harm’s way. 

This contract award follows a recent announcement with the U.S. Air Force for a contract to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system that would enable robotic platforms, like the Guardian DX robot, to learn how to perform tasks with human-like movement through positive reinforcement and imitation machine learning (ML) technologies, known as Cybernetic Training for Autonomous Robots (CYTAR). The CYTAR system furthers the Sarcos vision of robotic systems that augment rather than replace humans by reducing the system operator’s cognitive load for basic tasks, yet still relying on human intelligence, judgment, instincts, and reflexes to manage more complex tasks. 

“The Navy is very focused on improving readiness rates,” said Steve McKee, lead for the Naval Enterprise Sustainment Technologies Team (NESTT). “A key factor in achieving this objective is the deployment of new technologies that improve the turnaround time for maintenance activities, while also increasing the safety and effectiveness of our workforce. We are very excited to work with Sarcos Defense to productize the Guardian DX robot because it addresses a significant gap that the Navy has identified. Additionally, in my role as NESTT lead, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues from the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army regarding the Guardian DX robot, and it appears it can address a number of readiness and sustainment needs across the Department of Defense.” 

“Similar to our teleoperated Guardian GT robot for heavy, dexterous work, but designed at human scale, the Guardian DX robot can be teleoperated to perform intricate tasks that require human-like dexterity,” said Ben Wolff, chairman and chief executive officer, Sarcos Robotics. “Examples of such tasks include the use of portable sensors for non-destructive structural testing and inspections, the use of portable power tools for grinding, cutting and welding at height, as well as lifting and manipulating heavy components weighing up to 200 pounds. Because the Guardian DX robot is kinematically equivalent to the upper body of humans, operators are able to manage the Guardian DX robot intuitively at typical human speeds by relying on their reflexes, instincts, and judgment to perform complex tasks in unstructured, often hazardous environments that historically have only been able to be completed by people directly.” 

The Guardian XT commercial robot version is expected to begin shipping to industrial customers in late 2021. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s top admiral envisions the next-generation large surface combatant as the next-generation guided-missile destroyer, or in his term, “DDG-Next.” 

The Future Large Surface Combatant is to be one of several new surface combatant vessels in the Future Surface Combatant Family Vessels that also will include the Constellation-class guided-missile frigate, the Large Unmanned Surface Vessel and the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel. 

“When you talk about large surface combatants, people in their mind’s eye, they’re thinking ‘battleship,’ said CNO Adm. Michael Gilday, speaking Oct. 13 in a Defense One webinar and responding to a question from USNI News.  “That’s not where we’re going. We’re talking about a ship that’s probably going to be smaller than a Zumwalt [guided-missile destroyer]. I don’t want to build a monstrosity. 

“But, I need deeper magazines on a manned ship than we have right now [on the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers],” Gilday said, noting that the Navy “is limited with respect to DDG[51] Flight IIIs in terms of what additional [systems] we could put on those ships. … [We] can’t put much more on those hulls.” 

The CNO said the plan was to design “the next destroyer, one that would be a new hull. “What we would leverage is existing technologies to put on that hull … and to update [and] modernize those capabilities over time.” 

Gilday compared the design concept of DDG-Next to the process that produced the DDG 51 class, one of a new hull with existing reliable, proven technologies such as the Aegis Combat System. 

“That’s why I call it DDG-Next … smaller than a Zumwalt but packing some power,” he said.