Navy Orders Ninth John Lewis-Class Fleet Replenishment Oiler
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ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has ordered construction of the ninth fleet replenishment oiler of the new John Lewis class for the Military Sealift Command.
The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded to General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California, a $736 million contract modification for the detail design and construction of T-AO 213. Work is expected to be completed by March 2028, the Department of Defense said in a May 22 announcement.
NASSCO delivered the lead ship of the class, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), in 2022, the first of six ordered under a 2016 contract. Two more were ordered under a 2022 contract modification, with an option for a third. That option was exercised with the contract award T-AO 213.
Five ships of the class currently are under construction: Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), which will be delivered this year; Earl Warren (T-AO 207); Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208); Lucy Stone (T-AO 209); and Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210). Future ships include Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212). The Navy plans to procure a total of 20 ships of the class.
The John Lewis class is replacing the Henry J. Kaiser class of fleet replenishment oilers. The new ships can carry 57,000 barrels of oil as well as some dry cargo and frozen stores. They can operate at 20 knots.
U.S. Navy Awards Saic $249 Million Contract To Support Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Instrumentation Platform
Company will provide combat instrumentation platform support
RESTON, Va. — Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a $249 million ceiling from the U.S. Navy to continue supporting the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD)’s combat instrumentation platforms used for training and test evaluation ranges.
“SAIC’s expertise in systems integration and engineering provides solutions to support the U.S. Navy’s testing and training needs,” said Bob Genter, president, Defense and Civilian Sector at SAIC. “We are excited to build on our progress and continue our work at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division.”
Under the new contract, SAIC will perform systems design and integration, hardware and software upgrades or modifications for the Combat Environment Instrumentation Systems (CEIS). SAIC will also provide services to support global position system-based range equipment, airborne electronic warfare (EW) systems, warning & countermeasures systems and range Radio-Frequency/Electro-Optical Tracking systems. The company will deliver test support and instrumentation for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and telemetry systems.
SAIC will continue supporting NAWCWD with products and services associated with CEIS EW systems, interfaces and auxiliary equipment. The company will also continue providing field service support to more than nine test locations within the Navy’s testing and evaluation domain.
USS Canberra Will Join the U.S. Fleet in Australia to Honor Namesake
SAN DIEGO – The future USS Canberra (LCS 30) will join the U.S. Navy active fleet on July 22 with the U.S. Navy’s first international commissioning ceremony at the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia.
Canberra is the first U.S. Navy warship to be commissioned in an allied country. It is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the namesake of Canberra.
“I can think of no better way to signify our enduring partnership with Australia than celebrating the newest U.S. Navy warship named for Australia’s capital city, and commissioning her in Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base East surrounded by many of the Australian ships we have worked alongside for years,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “I look forward to this momentous day for the ship, crew, sponsor, and all our partners in government and industry who worked tirelessly to give the future USS Canberra the celebration it deserves.”
Australian Chief of Navy, Vice Adm. Mark Hammond said this historic event encapsulates both the depth of the historical ties, and modern day partnership between the Royal Australian Navy and the U.S. Navy.
“This is a unique demonstration of respect by the U.S. for the Officers and Sailors of the Royal Australian Navy,” said Hammond. “It is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, and on a friendship forged while fighting side-by-side. On August 9, 1942 the RAN heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra was severely damaged off Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands) while protecting the U.S. Marines fighting ashore. In a surprise attack by a powerful Japanese naval force, Canberra was hit 24 times in less than two minutes and 84 of her crew were killed including Captain Frank Getting”
“I look forward to welcoming the U.S. Navy, and the crew of USS Canberra to Australia and we are honored to host the U.S. Navy’s first international commissioning. It will be a historical event to see the USS Canberra and HMAS Canberra alongside each other in Sydney. As we look to the future, the strength of our partnership remains a cornerstone of a secure, stable, free and open Indo-Pacific Region.”
The first USS Canberra (CA-70/CAG-2) was named at the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra for the ship’s courageous actions during the Battle of Savo Island that took place Aug. 7-9, 1942. The new Baltimore-class heavy cruiser was renamed Canberra from Pittsburgh on Oct. 16, 1942, and was commissioned on Oct. 14, 1943.
Canberra will soon begin the transit for the Navy’s first international ship commissioning making stops along the transit in Indo-Pacific nations prior to its arrival in Sydney for commissioning.
A visit to the Australian capital city of Canberra is planned the day after commissioning, continuing the U.S. Navy tradition of building a strong relationship with namesake communities.
The ship’s sponsor is Australian Senator, the Honourable Marise Payne, the former Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs who attended the ship’s keel laying ceremony in Mobile, Ala. in 2020. The ship was christened June 5, 2021, by Alison Petchell, the Australian Government’s Defence Assistant Secretary for Industrial Capability Planning in the Nuclear Submarines Taskforce and former Minister Counsellor for Defense Materiel, on behalf of Senator Payne. The ship arrived for the first time at its homeport of San Diego last year.
The first U.S. Navy ship named after a foreign capital, Canberra (CA-70) was sponsored by Lady Alice C. Dixon, the wife of Sir Owen Dixon, then Australian Minister to the United States. Following World War II, Canberra was placed out of commission and in reserve on March 7, 1947. Five years later, the ship was selected to be the U.S. Navy’s second guided missile cruiser. The ship was re-commissioned on June 15, 1956, as guided missile heavy cruiser CAG-2. With its new designation, Canberra transported President Dwight D. Eisenhower and later was the ceremonial flagship for the selection of the Unknown Serviceman of both World War II and Korea interned at Arlington National Cemetery, was the Commander of the Atlantic Fleet Cruiser Force flagship, conducted an around the globe goodwill cruise, provided medical assistance to the crew of the Turkish merchantman Mehmet Ipar, was the Commander Task Group 136.1 flagship that was charged with maintaining a blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and served in Korea and Vietnam. To highlight the ship’s role in naval gunfire support following operations in Vietnam, Canberra was re-designated to original classification and identification number CA-70 on May 1, 1968.
Canberra received seven battle stars for her service in World War II. The ship was decommissioned on Feb. 2, 1970, and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on July 31, 1978.
The present day USS Canberra is the 16th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy. LCS are designed to be fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored, surface combatants that operate in both littoral and open-ocean environments. LCS integrate with joint, combined, crewed, and unmanned systems to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. The future USS Canberra was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.
U.S.-Led Multinational Partnership Launches New Task Force for Maritime Security Training in Middle East
U.S.-Led Multinational Partnership Launches New Task Force for Maritime Security Training in Middle East
By U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs | May 22, 2023
MANAMA, Bahrain — The U.S.-led multinational partnership, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), established a new task force May 22 that will train partner navies and improve operational capabilities to enhance maritime security in the Middle East.
During a ceremony at U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, leaders commissioned Combined Task Force (CTF) 154. The new staff is CMF’s fifth task force after standing up CTF 153 in April 2022 for maritime security in the Red Sea.
CTF 154 will lead multinational maritime training at locations across the Middle East, enabling more CMF partner-nations to participate in training opportunities without ships or aircraft, particularly during courses that are facilitated ashore.
“Our navies are at their very best when we train, operate and work together,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF. “Establishing CTF 154 demonstrates our deep commitment to strengthening and expanding partnerships through new training opportunities that will enhance regional maritime security.”
The new task force is commanded by a U.S. Navy captain who will build and lead a multinational staff. Another nation will assume command as early as this fall.
CTF 154’s core staff will be augmented by CMF partners during key training opportunities such as the task force’s inaugural event, Compass Rose. This week, CTF 154 is hosting Compass Rose in the Kingdom of Bahrain. More than 50 participants from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and United States began arriving Sunday to attend courses on first aid and vessel boarding procedures.
“I am excited to lead an international team in this important work,” said Capt. Oliver Herion, CTF 154’s first commander. “Collectively, CMF has tremendous experience and expertise with critical skills, tools and relationships.”
CTF 154 will frequently organize training events around five core areas: maritime awareness, maritime law, maritime interdiction, maritime rescue and assistance, and leadership development. Each training opportunity will be tailored to meet partner requests ranging from basic to advanced levels.
“Focusing our efforts to facilitate training for the multinational partnership will refine our skillsets and reinforce our ability to operate together,” said Herion. “We are ‘Stronger Together’ and ‘Ready Together.’ That is what CMF is all about.”
CMF is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 38 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea.
CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150 that focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean; CTF 151, which leads regional counter-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 153 in the Red Sea.
Rite-Solutions joins ServiceNow Partner Program to Help Navy Improve IT Service Management Processes
Release from Rite-Solutions, May 22, 20023
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Middletown, RI (May 22, 2023) — Rite-Solutions today announced it joined the ServiceNow Partner Program to develop applications and integrations that leverage the power of the Now Platform®. Rite-Solutions is accelerating digital transformation with Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) engagements.
As a ServiceNow Build partner, Rite-Solutions will develop solutions that help Navy Warfare Centers design, build, deliver, operate, and manage information technology (IT) services. The overall goal is to improve Navy readiness by increasing efficiencies, accelerating time-to-market, and reducing costs to automate ITSM workflows.
Building configurable applications that will be available to Federal customers through the ServiceNow Store will allow other Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security organizations realize similar benefits.
“Rite-Solutions is excited to add ServiceNow Build Partner credentials to our portfolio,” says Laurie Carter, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Rite-Solutions. “This enables us to expand our capabilities to efficiently and effectively bring forth innovative, cost-effective solutions to our customers.”
Rite-Solutions, Inc.
Rite-Solutions, Inc. is an award-winning small business specializing in system engineering, software development, information technology (IT), and cyber security for government and commercial segments. Rite-Solutions has offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Washington D.C. For more information, please visit http://www.rite-solutions.com.
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Mobile, Ala. –Austal USA was awarded a contract with a potential value of $3.195 billion for the detail design and construction of up to seven TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships. Austal, as the prime contractor, has teamed with L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris), Noise Control Engineering (NCE), TAI Engineering (TAI), and Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors (TMC) for execution of the TAGOS program.
TAGOS ships provide a platform capable of theater anti-submarine acoustic passive and active surveillance. They support the mission of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) by gathering underwater acoustical data.
“The Austal USA team is excited to support the U.S. Navy with this critical program. We have enjoyed our long partnership with the Navy in delivering aluminum ships and we are honored to continue that relationship in delivering high-quality steel ships on schedule and on budget,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said. “This contract award was enabled by our continual focus on our people and our facilities. The Austal USA workforce is proud of our role in providing for the Nation’s defense by delivering these ships to the Navy.”
“As the electronic and propulsion systems integrator, we’re excited to be a partner on the Austal USA team to develop the next class of TAGOS ocean surveillance ships,” said Anthony Nigara, President, Maritime, L3Harris. “Our strong partnership with Austal reinforces our commitment to delivering advanced, surveillance-capable platforms to meet the U.S. Navy’s mission requirements.”
Through continual capital investments, Austal USA has expanded its capability and capacity to enable concurrent production of aluminum and steel-hulled ships. The award of the TAGOS program follows the recent award of other steel programs to Austal USA including the U.S. Navy Towing and Salvage ship (T-ATS) and Auxiliary Floating Drydock Medium (AFDM) and the U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). The company will construct TAGOS using its proven ship manufacturing processes and innovative production methods that incorporate lean manufacturing principles, modular construction, and moving assembly lines in the company’s state-of-the-art enclosed steel production facility. The TAGOS contract award is the result of Austal’s proven shipbuilding and multi-hull ship systems management expertise and proven engineering team.
In addition to the steel ships mentioned previously, Austal USA is currently constructing the U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship and Expeditionary Fast Transport. This unique production capability to manufacture both steel and aluminum ships positions Austal USA to meet the growing demands of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.
Navy Exercises Option for a Fourth Constellation Class Frigate
By Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) Public Affairs
WASHINGTON — The Navy today exercised a contract option for a fourth Constellation class guided-missile Frigate. FFG 65 will be built by prime contractor Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM). The contract option award was $526,293,001.
First-in-class Constellation (FFG 62) is in production in Marinette, Wisconsin, and sister ships Congress (FFG 63) and Chesapeake (FFG 64) are under contract.
The Constellation class will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. Specifically, the FFG 62 class includes an enterprise air surveillance radar, Baseline Ten AEGIS combat system, a Mk 41 vertical launch system, communications systems, MK 57 gun weapon system countermeasures, and added capability in electronic warfare and information operations with design flexibility for future growth.
FMM on April 30, 2020, was awarded the contract for the design, construction and delivery of the first ten Constellation Class Frigates.
PEO USC designs, develops, builds, maintains, and modernizes the Navy’s expanding family of unmanned maritime systems, mine warfare systems and small surface combatants.
HII Completes Acceptance Trials for the Future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125)
PASCAGOULA, Miss., May 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced today the successful completion of acceptance trials for Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125).
“Collaboration has been the single largest enabler to delivering this new capability to the fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “Our extended network of Navy, Ingalls and supplier partners got this done through open communication, hard work and tenacity.”
Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) is the first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer being built for the U.S. Navy by Ingalls and incorporates a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. DDG 125 contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century. Flight III configured destroyers include the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that is required to keep pace with the threats of the future.
Ingalls has delivered 34 destroyers to the U.S. Navy, with five Flight IIIs currently under construction including DDG 125, Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131) and Sam Nunn (DDG 133). The final Ingalls-built Flight IIA ship, Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), sailed away from Ingalls in April and was commissioned this month in Key West, Florida.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships and can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, all in support of the United States military strategy and the joint force. Guided missile destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. surface fleet and are capable of fighting multiple air, surface and subsurface threats simultaneously.
SEAGUARDIAN® USED BY USN IN SUPPORT OF INTEGRATED BATTLE PROBLEM
Series of ASW and MUM-T Exercises Showcase Advantages of UAS
SAN DIEGO – 18 May 2023 – In support of the U.S. Navy’s (USN) Integrated Battle Problem 2023 (IBP-23) exercise in May, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted a series of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises cooperatively with the USN Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons (HSM) 38, 49, 71, and 75. GA-ASI flew a company-owned MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) under a USN Flight Clearance. The HSM squadrons flew the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter flown out of Naval Air Station North Island off the coast of San Diego, Calif., on April 24-25, 2023.
The exercise was focused on Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) to conduct Cooperative ASW in the Southern California Offshore ASW range. During the two-day event, MH-60s dropped sonobuoys to detect a mobile training target. Using the combined SeaGuardian and MH-60R teaming concept, correlation and location of the target was expeditiously achieved and tactical reports – known as TACREPs – were then transmitted to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 34 Theater ASW Center at Naval Station Pearl Harbor via the MQ-9B crew. The CTF then directed a coordinated constructive “kill” of the simulated submarine with notional torpedoes dropped from the MH-60s. The ASW payload on the SeaGuardian uses the latest version of General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Sonobuoy Processor.
“These advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures utilizing MUM-T further reinforce the advantages to unmanned aircraft in combat with less risk to force,” said GA-ASI Vice President of DoD Strategic Development Patrick Shortsleeve.
The IBP-23 exercise is the third time GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian has supported this annual event. These exercises generate warfighting advantages for the Fleet by providing the operational environment to work through tactics, techniques, procedures, and command and control to refine and enhance warfighting. The Fleet IBP series is led by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and executed by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and will continue throughout May 2023.
HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Welcomes High School Seniors to Shipbuilding Careers
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division recently signed more than two dozen graduating high school seniors for careers in shipbuilding at the New Horizons Regional Education Centers (NHREC) Good Life Solution Program’s Career Selection Day, at a time the shipyard is executing on orders for mission-critical aircraft carriers and submarines in service of the U.S. Navy and the nation.
A total of 32 students accepted employment offers from NNS: 20 who will begin full-time trade positions within the shipyard and 12 who will attend The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. Funded by HII to train and develop the next generation of shipbuilders, The Apprentice School offers four- to eight-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and eight optional advanced programs, to include accredited undergraduate degrees in engineering.
The Good Life Solution Program is a collection of partnerships between NHREC and local employers looking to improve the way they recruit, hire, train and retain entry-level new hires out of high school. The program has a one-year retention rate of 80%.
“Each year, this program grows and is a clear demonstration that there is more than one path to success,” said Xavier Beale, NNS vice president of human resources and trades, who attended the event. “I’m honored to welcome these students into our shipbuilding family as they embark upon a remarkable journey. They will continue to develop their talents and grow their careers with us — all while serving our nation and building freedom.”
NNS plans to hire approximately 2,500 skilled trade positions this year to meet the shipbuilding needs of the Navy. The shipyard anticipates hiring nearly 19,000 people within the next decade as it fulfills orders for the U.S. Navy.
To learn more about the Good Life Solution Program, visit nhrec.org/gls.
