WASHINGTON — The Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), sailed from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard Oct. 4 en route to its homeport, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for its scheduled commissioning in December. 

“Following delivery to the Navy in March 2021, the entire team has continued to prepare DDG 118 for this important readiness milestone,” Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 program manager, Arleigh Burke-class program office, Program Executive Office-Ships, said in a Team Ships release. “The fleet will soon be receiving an advanced warship capable of performing the core roles of sea control and power projection.” 

The future USS Daniel Inouye is named in honor of Daniel Inouye, who served as a United States Senator for Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012. He received the Medal of Honor on June 21, 2000, for his extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team in Italy during World War II. 

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are multi-mission ships able to hold targets on land, at sea, in the air and underwater at risk with a suite of sophisticated weapons and sensors.   

The other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers currently under construction at Bath Iron Works include Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), John Basilone (DDG 122), Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) and William Charette (DDG 130), as well as the Zumwalt-class destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002). 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a production order for a new helicopter-borne electronic warfare system.  

The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded to Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York, a $17.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modifications exercise options for Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare (AOEW) System low-rate initial production units, according to a Sept. 29 Defense Department release.  

The AOEW pod is designed to be taken aloft by an MH-60R or MH-60S Seahawk helicopter and serve as an offboard electronic attack system to counter anti-ship cruise missiles. The pod can be attached to either side of the helicopter. The helicopter provides power and mobility for the pod, but the pod’s operation is independent of the helicopter crew and linked to the SLQ-32(V)6/7 shipboard electronic warfare system. 

The Navy initially ordered four Engineering and Manufacturing Development models for evaluation that were delivered by early 2020. 

WASHINGTON — As part of the U.S. Navy’s continuing efforts to integrate the littoral combat ship (LCS) with all other surface ship classes, the LCS Fleet Introduction and Sustainment Program Office (PMS 505) realigned to Naval Sea System Command’s Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment (NAVSEA 21) directorate during a small ceremony, Oct. 1, Team Ships Public Affairs and PEO USC Public Affairs said in a release. 

PMS 505 was established in 2011 under the purview of PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) to ensure the unique aspects of LCS sustainment were fully aligned under a single Program Executive Office. 

“We are excited to have PMS 505 join our team of world class maintainers and sustainers,” said Rear Adm. Eric Ver Hage, director, NAVSEA 21. “This transition will ensure LCS sustainment plans remain aligned with all other surface ship classes as we serve the fleet.” 

Under PEO USC, more than half of the 35-ship LCS class has been delivered, LCS ships are routinely deploying to combatant commands, and training facilities are successfully executing the Train-to-Qualify/Certify plan for the crews. 

The move does not impact or affect the work of LCS ship construction or LCS Mission Modules. 

“With 20 LCS in the fleet today, PMS 505 has accomplished the mission that it was created to perform,” said Rear Adm. Casey Moton, program executive officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants. “Fleet introduction and sustainment of LCS is on a solid pathway, thanks to this team, and PMS 505 will continue supporting the Navy’s efforts to mainstream LCS by joining SEA 21, the Surface Navy’s premier maintenance and modernization organization.” 

As NAVSEA’s Directorate for Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment, SEA 21 is the dedicated life cycle management organization for the Navy’s in-service surface ships and is responsible for managing critical maintenance, sustainment, modernization, training and inactivation programs.

NORFOLK, Va. – The U.S. Navy establishes a new helicopter squadron, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50, onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Mayport, Florida, Oct. 1, the commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs said in a release. 

Primarily, HSM-50 “Valkyries” will be fully equipped with MH-60R Seahawks and will provide expeditionary aviation detachments in support of littoral combat ships and expeditionary independent deployers to meet global force management missions.      
 
“I’m honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as HSM-50’s first commanding officer,” said Cmdr. Carolyn Peterson. “Every member of Valkyries will have a major impact as we establish this squadron from the ground floor and create a strong, resilient, combat-ready unit prepared to deploy MH-60R detachments to fight and win at sea. I am excited and encouraged as we move forward as a team, face challenges head-on, and continue to serve in the defense of our nation.” 
 
Peterson, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, served in a number of assignments including tours as an instructor pilot, a helicopter initial shore assignments officer, a Carrier Air Wing MH-60R operational squadron department head, and a joint planning officer in Anchorage, Alaska. She is a graduate of Air Force Air Command and Staff College Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase One, and earned a Master’s of Science in Aeronautics: Safety Systems.            
       
The MH-60R Seahawk, a versatile multi-mission platform, is used to support a number of operations spanning: anti-submarine warfare, electronic warfare, surface warfare, command and control, non-combat operations, and fleet support for operations and logistics. It can also integrate mission systems with other ships to provide early warning indications of surface contacts and longer-range pursuit of subsurface contacts. 
 
HSM-50 is expected to conduct a formal establishment ceremony in the summer of 2022 and the squadron will fall under Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic. 

MCLEAN, Va. — BAE Systems Inc. will continue providing lifecycle sustainment, integration, and engineering services to support U.S. aircraft carriers after being selected for a five-year, $68.5 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, the company said Oct. 4.  

Under the Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems Engineering Products & Technical Services contract awarded earlier this year, BAE Systems will leverage decades of program history to develop, produce, equip, test, evaluate, sustain, and update the AN/SPN-46(V) Automatic Carrier Landing System. 

“With this win, BAE Systems retains a key air traffic control contract that we have held since 1973 to provide industry-leading systems integration capabilities and solutions that ensure the safety of critical carrier-based landing systems,” said Lisa Hand, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Integrated Defense Solutions business. 

BAE Systems’ technicians deploy around the world to support the warfighter. The company’s employees utilize established and proven methods as well as their systems engineering and software development expertise to sustain these critical landing systems. The company’s work results in improved hardware reliability, system precision, minimal downtime through onsite and remote technical assistance, and a certified landing system. 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s submarine acquisition community moved from a competency- to a platform-centric organization during an Oct. 1 change-of-office ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, the Naval Sea Systems Command said in a release. 
 
The change realigns two Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and initiates a third to better support submarine acquisition, operational capability and availability. 

The Navy is committed to ensuring all decisions are aligned with and do not impact ongoing Columbia submarine construction. 

“Aligning submarine acquisition and sustainment along platform lines, with cradle-to-grave ownership and accountability, is the most effective way to tackle the challenges we face and provide the nation with the most lethal undersea force possible,” said Rear Adm. Scott Pappano, PEO Strategic Submarines (formerly PEO Columbia). “I look forward to the opportunity to proactively manage the Ohio-to-Columbia transition, including strategic shore infrastructure and industrial base capacity, to ensure uninterrupted sea-based strategic deterrent coverage into the 2080s.”   

Program Executive Office Attack Submarines (formerly PEO Submarines) aligns Virginia-class efforts under one flag officer.  

“Consolidating attack submarine platform acquisition, development, and sustainment under a single PEO will ensure our Navy maintains America’s and our allies’ competitive edge over our rivals,” said Rear Adm. David Goggins, PEO SSN. “Specifically, aligning Virginia-class efforts under PEO SSN enables more effective planning for the lifetime of the boat and will ensure support smoother transitions from new construction to in-service for the Virginia-class.” 

Program Executive Office, Undersea Warfare Systems (PEO UWS) will enable the delivery of enhanced combat capability, with improved cybersecurity and resiliency, to all submarine platforms, the Navy said. Furthermore, the creation of PEO UWS best positions Team Submarines to ensure undersea sensors and warfare systems are integrated into the Navy Operational Architecture in support of distributed maritime operations. 

“The realignment of Team Submarines provides a tighter focus on our three main platforms: strategic, attack, and warfare systems,” said Rear Adm. Edward Anderson, PEO USW. “Standing up PEO UWS is a tremendous honor and will facilitate a greater focus on modernizing our sensors, combat systems and weapons, while improving our cybersecurity and platform resiliency.” 

“This realignment is about ensuring we’re delivering combat power to the fleet,” said Vice Adm. Bill Galinis, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command and ceremony host. “Our submarines, first and foremost, are what help ensure the freedom of the seas that is critical to long-term military and economic stability in this era of strategic competition.” 

The realignment does not require any new flag officer billets. 

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) observed its 75^th anniversary Sept. 30 with a virtual event that examined “the Future of Warfare.”

The event, called “ONR at 75: Reimagine Naval Power,” featured  the participation of senior naval and congressional leaders and brief remarks from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael M. Gilday. The online event summarized some of ONR’s historical achievements and a video about its past, present and future. Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Lorin Selby moderated a panel with Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts) and Mike Waltz (R-Florida) of the House Armed Services Committee and Vice Chief of Naval Research Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Benjamin Watson and Dr. Jason Stack, ONR’s director for Ocean, Atmosphere and Space Research.

During World War II, the U.S. government established very successful relationships with academia and industry to help ensure our nation’s scientific and technical dominance over the enemy forces.  After the war, Congress formally established ONR in 1946 to maintain that thriving partnership. Its stated mission was to “plan, foster and encourage scientific research for the sake of future naval power and the preservation of national security.” Today, 75 years later, ONR’s mission has not changed and continues to bring together a wide range of partners in government, the military, industry and academia in a collaborative environment.

For seven and a half decades, the Navy Marine Corps and nation have been profoundly affected by the countless innovations and discoveries nurtured by ONR, a pioneer in the fields as diverse as digital computing, directed energy, navigation, and the world’s understanding of the oceans.

A video prepared for the anniversary observance talked about how ONR has “reshaped the ocean sciences by advancing our understanding of ocean dynamics and the transmission of sound, as well as developing new technologies that help explore the deep, improve the mapping of the ocean floor, and autonomously gathered data for weather prediction. ONR supported expeditions that took humans to the deepest depths of the world ocean and to the highest balloon ascent in the early 1960s. ONR technology helped in the first detection of hydrothermal vents and a new form of life based on chemo-synthesis in the 1970s, as well as the discovery of the wreck of the RMS Titanic in the 1980s. The groundbreaking Project Whirlwind in the 1940s and 1950s created the first digital computer capable of real time computing, making it the direct ancestor of everything from the computers in our cars to the servers that monitor daily shipping traffic and air defense. Investments in directed energy resulted in the invention of the ‘maser,’ which stood for “microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, an early form of directed energy in the 1950s. More than 60 years later, in 2014 ONR deployed the first operational laser weapon on a naval vessel.”

During the panel discussion, Moulton said the U.S. has a strong Navy in large part because the nation has always had a technological edge over its competitors.  But, he said, the U.S. does not have the luxury of a comfortable lead today when it comes to global competition with global peer competitors, citing the need for more basic government-led research and technology development in the private sector.

Waltz said in today warfighting environment, the first shot will be fired in space and the cyber domain by autonomous systems. “The next evolution is when we pair those systems with artificial intelligence.”

Stack talked about how ONR often takes a long-term view and invests in science and technologies for years and sometimes decades, and not just in things, but in people, partnerships and enablers.

Watson, who is not only Selby’s deputy but also the commander of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, talked about reexamining long-held assumptions about maritime superiority, and about the changing nature of warfare, and the need to adapt to gray zone and hybrid threats.

“This virtual celebration presents a great opportunity to commemorate ONR’s legacy of innovation and forward-thinking, while looking ahead to whole new worlds of innovation for the Navy and Marine Corps,” Selby said. “Today, the Office of Naval Research is making possible a safe and secure future for our Navy, Marine Corps and nation.

“We know that the Navy and Marine Corps today look very different than it did back in 1946, when ONR was founded, and we also know that the fleet and force of tomorrow will look very different yet again than it does today,” Selby said.  “The one thing we know for sure, though, is that ONR will continue to lead the way.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — The secretary of the Navy and chief of naval operations announced on Sept. 29 several flag officer assignments based on the reorganization of some program executive offices. 

The program executive officer (PEO) for submarines (PEO Subs) has been renamed PEO Attack Submarines (PEO SSN). Rear Adm. David A. Goggins has been assigned as PEO SSN, essentially retaining the same position. 

Rear Adm. Scott W. Pappano will be assigned as program executive officer, Strategic Submarines (PEO SSBN), renamed from PEO Columbia. Pappano currently is PEO Columbia.  

Rear Adm. (lower half) Edward L. Anderson will be assigned as program executive officer, Undersea Warfare Systems (PEO UWS), which is being converted from a code in the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA 07).  Anderson is currently serving as commander, Undersea Warfare (NAVSEA 07). 

A new PEO has been established to oversee the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan. Rear Adm. Troy M. McClelland will be assigned as program executive officer, Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization (PEO SIOP). McClelland is currently serving as deputy commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. 

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy’s Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges program office’s (PMA-205) Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS Inc. II) and Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX)-21 teams conducted their first live-virtual-constructive (LVC) demonstration in an operational environment last month, the Naval Air Systems Command said Sept. 27.  

As part of the Navy’s broader initiative to enhance capability, the event displayed early LVC capability for the TCTS Inc. II system and included many “firsts” in naval aviation training. 

The ANTX-21 fleet demonstration simultaneously connected both fleet and test F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft, an F/A-18 simulator, an operational destroyer, a guided missile from the ship pier side, the Joint Semi-Automated Forces system, and the Next Generation Threat System all via the Navy Continuous Training Environment (NCTE). This exercise was naval aviation’s first demonstration of TCTS II in an operational environment, proving to be a simultaneous, multi-system, and multi-domain integrated warfighting training capability. The demonstration results will be used to further determine how TCTS Inc. II and LVC will be implemented effectively and efficiently in naval aviation training. 

“While watching ANTX-21 unfold across the globe from Navy Warfare Development Command in Norfolk, Va., I had an opportunity to see and hear the Navy’s excited reaction to TCTS Inc. II at the operation’s center,” said PMA-205 program manager, Capt. Lisa Sullivan.  “On the surface side, ships have been using a training LVC mode for a while, networking back and forth to exercise coordinators running complex scenarios. Now aviation is part of the mix through validation of TCTS Inc. II as the host system connecting live aircraft into a LVC environment.”  

The early LVC capability on the TCTS Inc. II system displayed during the event demonstrated successful integration of the system with the training environment, including simulated threats controlled by JSAF over NCTE, live aircraft air-to-air engagements, and integration with an F/A-18 simulator at the manned flight simulator facility. 

Chuck Kaylor, the PMA-205 TCTS Inc. II team lead, said the event included several firsts for naval aviation training. It was the first flight of TCTS Inc. II pod on an operational fleet aircraft, the first time TCTS Inc. II was used to create a LVC surface-to-air engagement, the first virtual F/A-18 engaged with a simulated/constructive aircraft, and the first pier side operational ship receiving and engaging with TCTS Inc. II information. 

“TCTS Inc. II is a critical enabler of Navy LVC, helping to close competition gaps in both operational security and training capabilities for the high-end fight, and this event comes with TCTS II already in production and approximately one year prior to initial operational capability” said Kaylor. 

The program office in coordination with U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and U.S. Naval Forces Europe conducted this exercise, which was designed to refine how the U.S. Navy synchronizes maritime operations across multiple fleets, in support of the joint force. The training is based on a progression of scenarios that will assess and refine modern warfare concepts, including distributed maritime operations, expeditionary advanced base operations, and littoral operations in a contested environment. This is the first iteration of what will become a triennial exercise with plans for future iterations to include partners and allies from around the world. 

MAYPORT, Fla. — Task Group Greyhound was formally introduced by Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Rear Adm. Brian Davies, commander, Submarine Group Two and deputy commander, 2nd Fleet, at an event held at Naval Station Mayport aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), Sept. 27, said Lt. j.g. Caroline Leya, SURFLANT public affairs. 

Task Group Greyhound (TGG) is a force generation initiative within the Optimized Fleet Response Plan, the standard ship cycle construct that guides a roughly 36-month readiness roadmap. It is designed to provide the fleet with continuously ready, fully certified warships ready to accomplish a full range of on-demand missions at all times. TGG will assign and task Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be at-the-ready to support sustainment operations and to counter Russian undersea threats to the homeland. 
   
The day’s event comprised of a cake-cutting, a virtual media availability and an anti-submarine warfare scenario conducted for the official party in the combat information center aboard Thomas Hudner. 
 
McLane gave a Bravo Zulu to the first two TGG ships, Thomas Hudner and the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), and emphasized that maintaining an undersea warfare edge over Russian submarines off the East Coast is a growing priority. 
   
“Task Group Greyhound provides us a way  to increase continuity between training and operating against high-end competitors in a dynamic environment,” McLane said. “These destroyers are now designated under Task Group Greyhound in the western Atlantic on watch 24/7 ready to practice, integrate, and operate at a moment’s notice.” 
   
Facing the considerable threat from Russia requires focus, continuous monitoring and a team approach to undersea warfare. The TGG initiative will ensure that designated post-deployment East Coast destroyers remain in an extended sustainment phase on a rotating basis with other destroyers. This will be supported by incremental maintenance availabilities and sustained readiness certifications. 
   
The TGG model is a reference to the World War II destroyers, or “Greyhounds of the Fleet,” that patrolled the seas in the “Battle of the Atlantic.” The modern version is similar to how readiness is maintained aboard forward deployed naval forces in Spain. 
   
Cmdr. Bo Mancuso, Thomas Hudner commanding officer, acknowledged the importance of the initiative and of his command being selected to take the first watch. 
   
“Being chosen as one of the initial ships to serve in this capacity is humbling, and a big responsibility that we are more than ready to honor,” Mancuso said. “It was our pleasure to host Rear Adm. McLane today and show him what we’re capable of and that our crew is up to the task.”