ARLINGTON, Va. — A Virginia-class attack submarine heads the U.S. Navy’s fiscal 2021 unfunded priorities list, according to Feb. 19 letter to Congress from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday. Three types of aircraft and one logistics proof-of-concept ship round out the top…
12th Expeditionary Fast Transport Launched
MOBILE, Ala. — The U.S. Navy’s 12th expeditionary fast transport (EPF), the future USNS Newport (EPF 12), was launched at Austal USA’s shipyard on Feb. 20, according to the Navy’s Program Executive Office-Ships said. The launching of an EPF is a multistep process. The ship modules are…
As Part of Investment Plans, Coast Guard Creating Major Base in South Carolina
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…
KBR Secures $276 Million NAVAIR Task Order to Deploy IT Solutions
HOUSTON — KBR has been awarded a $276 million task order to provide state-of-the-art information technology services and equipment to Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Logistics and Maintenance Information Systems and Technology Division, the company said in a release. Under this contract, KBR…
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….
MARAD’s Buzby: National Maritime Strategy ‘a Matter of National Will’
WASHINGTON — A National Maritime Strategy is soon to be released, the U.S. Maritime Administrator said. Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby, speaking Feb. 20 at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Analysis, a Washington think tank, said that a “National…
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…
