The COVID-19 crisis has cut back on time spent shopping for food and necessities, changing some military and dependent shopping habits and causing sales of some items — both essential and nonessential — to jump. Kristine Sturkie, a spokesperson for…
Navy Awards Orders 9th Full-Rate Production Lot of AARGMs
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. $165 million for Lot 9 full-rate production (FRP) of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), the company said in an April 23 release. Assets will include all-up round missiles and…
General Atomics’ EMALS and AAG Support Successful Ford Flight Deck Certification
SAN DIEGO — General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced April 23 that successful USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Flight Deck Certification (FDC) has been completed with the support of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear (AAG) system. The number of aircraft to have…
Senate Bill Would Fund Second Virginia-Class Sub in 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. — A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee has introduced a $43 billion bill to strengthen U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific to counter Chinese competition and that would fund, among other things, some of the U.S. Navy’s priorities on its unfunded list,…
Attack Submarine USS Vermont Commissioned
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Vermont (SSN 792), the 19th Virginia-class attack submarine, on April 18, the Navy said in a release. Although the traditional public commissioning ceremony was canceled due to public health restrictions on large public gatherings, the Navy commissioned…
Ford Weapons Elevators Set for Completion by Summer 2021 Shock Trials
ARLINGTON, Va. — The installation and turnover of the advanced weapons elevators on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is proceeding well, with the goal to complete the work by summer 2021, a top U.S. Navy official said. “We need to get all of the elevators up and running…
In Perhaps a First, USS Delaware Commissioned Underwater
ARLINGTON, Va. — The COVID-19 pandemic is driving the U.S. Navy to adapt some of the ways it conducts business, but the commissioning of a submarine underwater is likely to be a first. The Virginia-class attack USS Delaware was commissioned into the Navy on…
SUPSHIP Turns to Fusion for Facemasks
WASHINGTON — When Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Newport News’ supply of protective facemasks to combat COVID-19 dwindled to 30 by the morning of April 9, SUPSHIPNN’s commanding officer, Capt. Jason Lloyd, turned to his staff for a solution, according to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). An order for…
2nd Fleet Keeps Truman Strike Group at Sea as Ready Carrier Amid Pandemic
NORFOLK, Va. — The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains at sea in the western Atlantic as a certified carrier strike group force ready for tasking to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19, following their deployment to the U.S. 5th…
Geurts: Accelerated Acquisitions Position Navy, Industry for Period After COVID-19 Crisis Wanes
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s top acquisition official said the service’s efforts to accelerate contract awards in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic are helping the defense industry sustain its economic health at all levels and positioning the Navy and industry to emerge from the…



