Mobile, Alabama — The U.S. Navy awarded Austal USA a $261.8 million contract for the 13th and 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (EPFs) on March 25, Austal said in a release. The new contract not only expands Austal’s current 12-ship…
Military Sealift Command Opens New Center for Excellence
NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia (NNS) — Military Sealift Command hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signify the opening of its new Center for Excellence located on Joint Base Langley-Eustis on March 25. The Military Sealift Command Center for Excellence provides MSC-centric basic…
SECNAV Names Future Destroyer in Honor of U.S. Navy Medal of Honor Awardee
WASHINGTON — Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer has named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, DDG 130, in honor of a Medal of Honor recipient, Hospital Corpsman Master Chief William Charette, the secretary’s public affairs office said in a March…
Fire Aboard USS Devastator; No Injuries
NSA BAHRAIN — A fire broke out aboard the mine countermeasures ship USS Devastator (MCM 6) while the ship was pierside at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain on March 14, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs said in a release. There…
Navy Awards Raytheon Contract for Next 3 SPY-6 Radars for Destroyers
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has ordered three shipsets of the Raytheon-built SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) for installation on three Arleigh Burke Flight III guided-missile destroyers (DDGs). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems has been awarded a $402.6 million…
HII Completes Installation of Main Mast on USS George Washington
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. —Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division has reached new heights in the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), the company announced in a March 15 release. The shipyard…
Proposed 2020 Budget Promises Major Funding for Marine Aviation and Ground Combat Programs, Hurricane Repair
The fiscal year 2020 national defense budget unveiled March 12 provides substantial funding for the Marine Corps’ major aviation and ground combat programs and promises help in repairing the heavy damage inflicted on its East Coast bases by hurricanes last…
Keel Laid on Future USS Bougainville
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — The keel-laying and authentication ceremony for the future USS Bougainville (LHA 8) was held March 14 at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Pascagoula shipyard, the Naval Sea Systems command said in a release. The ship’s sponsor, Ellyn…
Navy Secretary Names New Class of Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship Navajo
WASHINGTON — Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer said the new class of towing, salvage and rescue ship will be named Navajo in honor of the major contributions the Navajo people have made to the armed forces, the secretary’s public affairs…
Corps Committed to National Defense Strategy While Continuing to Fill Traditional Missions, Including Counter-Insurgency, Commandant Tells Defense Forum
WASHINGTON — Although the Marine Corps is responding to the National Defense Strategy’s focus on preparing for the return to great power competition, “we still have to operate across the full range of military operations,” the Marines’ top officer said…
