ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of 105 F-35 Lightning II strike fighters, including 42 F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing versions that Japan could deploy onboard ships to significantly expand its naval aviation capabilities. Under…
Germany, Belgium Cleared for Possible Procurement of Mk54 Torpedoes
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Mk54 lightweight antisubmarine torpedoes to Germany and Belgium, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in two July 9 releases. The procurement of the torpedoes, built by…
Defense Department Shores Up Shipbuilding Industrial Base With $56 Million
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department is taking another Defense Production Act Title III action to shore up the nation’s shipbuilding industrial base in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The action is one of seven announced July 10 by the Defense…
Aircraft Carrier Theodore Roosevelt Returns From Deployment
SAN DIEGO — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt returned to San Diego on July 9, marking the end of its deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the commander of 3rd Fleet public affairs said in a release. More than 6,000 Sailors from Theodore Roosevelt…
More Powerful Laser Systems Are Needed, Navy Technologist Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s official most heavily engaged in the development of directed-energy (DE) weapons said the service is focused on fielding the sea service’s family of laser systems to warfighters but is also working to improve the systems’ power and beam control. “We’ve been working…
Navy Will Inactivate 9 Ships in 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy plans to inactivate nine ships in fiscal 2021, the service said in a message to the fleet. According to a June 30 message from the chief of naval operations, four littoral combat ships (LCS),…
USS McCampbell Departs Japan for Modernization, 3rd Fleet Duty
PACIFIC OCEAN — The USS McCampbell departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, on July 2 following 13 years of service forward-deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is en route to Portland, Oregon, where it will undergo midlife modernization. Following routine maintenance and system upgrades, McCampbell will proceed…
Fitzgerald Returns to San Diego Two Years After Fatal Collision
SAN DIEGO — The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald arrived back at its homeport in San Diego on July 2 following more than two years of restoration and modernization after the warship was damaged in a collision in 2017. “Returning Fitzgerald to the fleet has truly been a team effort,”…
Navy Prepping More Prospective Minority Students for NROTC
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is expanding its program to prepare more minority students for the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, a senior Navy admiral said, to increase officer accessions of more black officers. Speaking at a July 2…
Task Force One Navy Established to Combat Discrimination, Racism
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy stood up a special task force on June 30 to address the issues of racism, sexism and other destructive biases and their impact on naval readiness, the chief of naval personnel public affairs office said in a release. “Task Force (TF) One Navy” will be led by Rear…