Contract represents the latest milestone in the companies’ longstanding partnership 

From RTX, June 24, 2025 

TUCSON, Ariz. (June 24, 2025) — Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has been awarded a $250 million contract from Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) for ESSM Block 2 licensed production. 

Under the Direct Commercial Sale contract, Raytheon will provide missile kits, parts, and components as well as technical support for missile production at MELCO in Japan. 

“This innovative licensed production arrangement is the culmination of decades of partnership,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “As Japan invests in this critical weapon system, it will strengthen their defense capabilities while reinforcing the vital security alliance between our nations.”   

Raytheon and MELCO have a longstanding partnership spanning over 50 years on critical defense programs. This contract represents the latest chapter in their collaborative relationship and allows Japan to enhance its domestic defense manufacturing and missile defense capabilities, while also strengthening the broader U.S.-Japan security partnership. 

ESSM Block 2 is a short to medium-range, ship-launched, dual-mode, guided missile that has increased maneuverability and improved performance over its Block 1 predecessor. The newest variant reduces dependence on shipboard illumination and is integrated on a wide variety of combat systems and launchers, delivering improved performance in stressing marine environments, and has significant digital processing margin to keep pace with evolving threats through software improvements. 

Japan is a customer nation of ESSM, which is managed by the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium composed of 12 nations.  

The 26-day mission demonstrated that Saildrone can deliver deep-water mapping accuracy comparable to traditional vessels while reducing HSE risk and cost. 

From Saildrone 

ALAMEDA, Calif.– In a first-of-its-kind demonstration mission, Saildrone, in partnership with Meta, successfully completed a deep-water cable route survey in the North Atlantic using the Saildrone Surveyor, a 20-meter uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). This innovative project represents a major milestone in the evolution of ocean survey technology, proving that autonomous platforms can deliver data quality and performance on par with traditional crewed survey vessels — while dramatically reducing risk and cost. 

During the 26-day survey conducted in June and July 2024, the Saildrone Surveyor mapped more than 4,500 km of seabed, including complex topographies and challenging conditions, without a port call or outside assistance. Operating under sail and motor-sail modes and equipped with a Kongsberg EM304 MKII multibeam sonar, the Surveyor achieved swath coverage of up to 10 km in water depths of up to 5,500 meters. 

The demonstration focused on collecting bathymetric data along the established Anjana cable route and the recently surveyed Aurora route to directly compare the Saildrone Surveyor’s performance against traditional crewed survey vessels. Key operational metrics — route fidelity, line keeping, data transmission, and depth accuracy — met or exceeded expectations across the board. 

“This mission demonstrated that autonomous ocean mapping is not just possible — it’s here, and it’s incredibly effective,” said Andy Palmer-Felgate, subsea cable engineer at Meta. “Saildrone delivered data that matched legacy surveys with exceptional accuracy, all while operating remotely and with minimal environmental impact. As capacity needs increase, Meta continues to invest in cutting-edge infrastructure technologies—and our subsea cable strategy work is critical to these efforts. Ocean mapping plays an important role, and the implications for subsea cable route surveys are profound.” 

Using the Saildrone Mission Portal and real-time, high-bandwidth satellite connectivity, Saildrone hydrographic surveyors and pilots monitored vehicle performance and dynamically re-tasked it to investigate features of interest — such as seamounts and canyons — critical for route optimization. Previously limited to crewed vessels, this capability opens the door to more agile, responsive, and distributed survey operations. 

A critical focus of the mission was minimizing Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) risks associated with offshore operations, demonstrating significant benefits to the quality of life for hydrographic surveyors, cable route engineers, and client representatives who can now perform their work remotely from shore-based offices or home offices, reducing time away from family and minimizing the physical and mental strain associated with offshore deployments. Furthermore, the mission avoided an estimated 243 tons of CO₂ emissions — over 50 times less than a conventional vessel — highlighting the sustainability advantages of uncrewed systems. 

“This is a turning point for deep-ocean survey,” said Brian Connon, VP Ocean Mapping at Saildrone. “The Surveyor’s performance on this mission proves that we can deliver high-resolution, deep-water bathymetry with a fraction of the fuel, cost, and risk. As our fleet expands, we envision a global network of Surveyor USVs supporting offshore industries with safe, efficient, and scalable data solutions.” 

This demonstration paves the way for broader adoption of USVs in subsea telecom, offshore energy, and national hydrographic programs. Future developments will focus on expanding operational range, improving weather resilience, and integrating new technologies like AI-based navigation and expendable bathythermographs. 

From The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium, June 4, 2025 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – Over 100 Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) member company employees recently completed a successful sonar training course through a partnership with the University of Rhode Island (URI). The partnership, aimed at strengthening the defense technology workforce, allowed UTIC members to take the Principles of Sonar, Underwater Sound, and Undersea Systems Course for non-credit during the Spring 2025 semester. Several URI graduate students also completed the course for credit.  The course was offered virtually and in person. 

“Access to targeted education and technical training is essential in a field where the pace of technology change is increasing,” said UTIC Chief Executive Officer Molly Donohue Magee. “Our mission is to enable member organizations with the tools, knowledge, and resources to stay competitive and advance their technology.” 

Led by Dr. John Short—a nationally recognized expert in sonar and undersea systems—the program provided valuable insights and knowledge transfer to both emerging professionals and longtime engineers. Dr. Short emphasized the importance of initiatives like this in sharing and advancing expertise across generations. 

“This course represents more than just professional development—it’s an investment in the future of our industry,” said Dr. Short. “Continued education gives industry professionals the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned to their own work and to build on existing and emerging innovations. With a focus on both practical application and fundamental principles, this course provided students with technical skills, hands-on experience, and an understand of lessons learned.” 

Principles of Sonar, Underwater Sound, and Undersea Systems is a graduate-level course that introduces the core concepts of sonar technology, underwater acoustics, and undersea system engineering. Students explore active and passive sonar design, acoustic modeling, and ocean environment fundamentals. Emphasis is placed on practical applications, including performance estimation, system tradeoffs, and the value of in-water testing. The course will be offered again in the Spring 2026 semester.  

RESTON, Va. (May 28, 2025) – Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) announced today that it has acquired Kudu Dynamics, accelerating Leidos’ rapid scaling of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled cyber capabilities for defense, intelligence and homeland security customers. 

Leidos’ extensive current AI-enabled cyber offerings arm users with the rapid capability and scale needed to automate vulnerability detection, enhance novel defenses, neutralize attacker advantages and evade adversary defenses. Acquiring Kudu Dynamics will accelerate Leidos’ strategy for AI-enabled offensive cyber, electromagnetic spectrum operations and vulnerability research.   

Founded in 2013, Kudu Dynamics has rapidly grown its work across the Department of Defense, leading the industry in automated targeting, scalable hardware reverse engineering and the generation of other non-kinetic effects. 

“Kudu’s ability to generate new cyber capabilities with AI perfectly complements our strategy to rapidly grow differentiated offensive cyber technology capabilities,” said  Leidos Chief Executive Officer Tom Bell. “This acquisition underlines Leidos’s commitment to continue to build smarter full-spectrum cyber capabilities, so that the U.S. and its allies dominate the cyber warfighting domain.” 

“We’re excited to deliver the next level of capabilities to our customers as we bring together the highly innovative cyber professionals and disruptive technologies of Kudu with the scale, resources and experience of Leidos,” said Kudu Dynamics’ Founder and CEO Mike Frantzen. “In Leidos, we’ve found a partner who shares our ethic of purposeful innovation in support of our nation’s most critical missions.” 

The Kudu Dynamics purchase marks Leidos’ first acquisition in two-and-a-half years. Increasing investment in the company’s already formidable cyber capabilities is among the five strategic growth pillars of its new NorthStar 2030 strategy, developed through a year of deep strategic thinking in 2024.   

The approximately $300 million all-cash acquisition closed May 23. 

Advisors 

Baird served as exclusive financial advisor to Kudu Dynamics on this transaction. 

From Ultra Maritime, May 20, 2025 

COLUMBIA CITY, Indiana – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Ultra Maritime are proud to announce a strategic partnership to substantially advance the state of the art in unmanned airborne detection and tracking of enemy submarines. By combining the world’s most advanced and prolific unmanned aerial system (UAS), GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian®, with the world’s only miniaturized, low power sonobuoys and receivers, the strategic partnership will make it possible for the U.S. and its allies to use sophisticated techniques to track submarines in hostile, GPS-denied environments.  

As adversary submarines proliferate and become stealthier, unmanned underwater vehicles grow in number and GPS jamming becomes more prevalent, the need for assured and affordable anti-submarine warfare (ASW) solutions is more critical than ever. While unmanned technologies are the clear best solution to this challenge, limitations to date in suitable ASW technologies have prevented real world solutions from emerging. This strategic partnership will provide a significant new capability where small form factor sonobuoys and receivers, aboard a long-range unmanned aircraft, can provide autonomous, low cost ASW in a GPS-denied environment.  

The GA-ASI MQ-9B SeaGuardian provides unmatched multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T). GA-ASI will integrate the MQ-9B SeaGuardian with Ultra Maritime’s exclusive small form factor (half size) sonobuoys to double UAS capacity. These sonobuoys will provide Multi-static Active (MSA) capabilities achieving unprecedented wide-area search. Furthermore, Ultra Maritime’s new acoustic receivers will be half the traditional size, making them ideal for UAS deployment. The receivers will enable more effective ASW in GPS-denied environments and will monitor more sonobuoys per MQ-9B mission through advanced communications technology. The solution is fully funded by internal research and development, and an integrated operational demonstration of this capability will occur in the Indo Pacific and other theaters beginning in 2025.  

From Austal USA 

MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA welcomed Rear Admiral (RADM) Jonathan Rucker, PEO Attack Submarines, at the company’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard yesterday. RADM Rucker began his visit by addressing more than 200 members of the Austal USA and General Dynamics Electric Boat submarine manufacturing team.  RADM Rucker emphasized the valuable work they are doing for the Virginia-and Columbia-class submarine programs.  He then toured Austal USA’s advanced ship manufacturing facility and discussed the company’s critical role as a strategic partner to grow the submarine industrial base.  

During the tour, RADM Rucker also viewed the progress being made on the construction of Austal USA’s new 369,600 square foot module manufacturing facility purpose-built to produce submarine modules, Module Manufacturing Facility-3 (MMF 3).  MMF-3, which will achieve initial operating capability next summer, is a critical component in increasing the capacity of the submarine industrial base.  The building will incorporate industry 4.0 features to provide enhanced efficiency and increase throughput.    

“We appreciated the opportunity to host Rear Admiral Rucker this morning and show him the commitment of the entire Austal USA shipbuilding team to supporting the submarine industrial base,” stated Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. “From the on-going work on manufacturing modules to the construction underway for our new production facility, our team is fully focused on increasing our production in support of the Columbia- and Virginia-class programs.”  

Austal USA has delivered 32 ships to the Navy over the company’s 25-year history.  As part of the company’s efforts to expand the production capacity of the submarine industrial base, Austal USA is manufacturing and outfitting modules for the Virginia- and Columbia-class programs.  Seven modules under construction were on display for RADM Rucker during his tour today.  

Austal USA is also leading the standup of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Va. In this capacity, the company is responsible for developing a national network of vendors with qualified additive manufacturing machines and processes to provide critical submarine parts. 

From HII 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — More than two dozen high school seniors know what they’ll be doing after graduation this year, after accepting offers to begin their shipbuilding careers at HII’s (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division. 

The shipyard participated in the New Horizons Regional Education Centers (NHREC) Good Life Solution Program’s Career Selection Day Thursday, in Hampton. During the event, 18 students accepted employment offers from NNS, to either begin full-time trade positions within the shipyard or 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 seven optional programs. 

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. 

Additionally, The Apprentice School held a ceremony April 29 to recognize high school students who participated in the Youth Builders program, with 13 of those students accepting offers to attend The Apprentice School. Youth Builders is a pre-apprenticeship workforce readiness program open to 11^th and 12^th grade students with interest in shipbuilding careers. 

Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/newsroom/. 

“These students are embarking on careers where the mission and purpose is clear: delivering the submarines and aircraft carriers our nation needs,” said Xavier Beale, NNS vice president of human resources. “We are thrilled to welcome them into our shipbuilding family as they build their careers while making important contributions to our national security.” 

For more information about careers at Newport News Shipbuilding visit, hii.com/careers. 

From Rite Solutions 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (May 6, 2025)—On May 1st, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded a 5-year, SBIR Phase III contract to Rite-Solutions. This $243M contract — the largest in the history of the company — will enable Rite-Solutions to provide innovative solutions in systems and software engineering that are geared towards maximizing the effectiveness and suitability of future combat system while reducing risk and total cost. 

“This contract award is one of the most significant achievements in the history of our company,” said CEO and Co-Founder Joe Marino. “We are extremely excited to be able to bring our innovation and energy to the next evolution of combat systems.” Co-Founders and Board members Jim and Linda Lavoie agree, stating that “this contract, resulting from the hard work and excellent support of our workforce, solidifies our place as a significant contributor to the advancement of our Undersea Warfare capabilities.” 

The goals of the CSoF initiative include (1) improving mission effectiveness while achieving optimal manning levels and reducing total life-cycle costs; (2) inserting new functionality and capability for current and future ship platform and combat systems improvements in both organic and off-hull systems; and (3) leveraging systems engineering to develop cost-effective improvements in the lab environment for modeling, simulation, test and integration. Efforts will be focused on new submarine platforms, including but not limited to the Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN(X)), to support technology innovations and improvements, acquisition, research and development, design, specification development, and test and evaluation. 

“This is a big win for Rite-Solutions and our many talented industry partners,” said Laurie Carter, Executive Vice President for Business Development and CSoF Capture Manager. “We are eager to get started – bringing our innovative mindset to the goal of building a more efficient, flexible and adaptable combat system.” 

Execution of tasking under the CSoF contract will be managed by Mike Miller, CSoF Director and Program Manager, who will be responsible for coordinating the efforts of Rite-Solutions and nearly 20 industry partners. 

By USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet Public Affairs, April 11, 2025 

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet completed the UNITAS 2025 mid planning conference on board Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Apr. 7-11. Held virtually and in-person, the conference brought together commands from the U.S. and partner nations to plan for UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise. 
 
UNITAS 2025 will feature a range of maritime operations, including a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) and amphibious landings. The exercise will take place Sept. 15-Oct. 6 off the East Coast of the United States, with shore-based events at Naval Station Mayport, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. 
 
“The level of participation and plans being developed are paramount to a successful exercise and are all oriented to expanding and strengthening our maritime partnerships,” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. “Already steeped in a long history of success, UNITAS 2025 will continue to solidify a legacy of maritime partnerships. 
 
More than 250 representatives from 23 countries and all branches of the U.S. military participated in person and virtually, including Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, Spain, and the United States. 
 
Participants refined the exercise scenario and objectives, the list of participating units and personnel, and logistics and communications plans. UNITAS is designed to strengthen relationships and foster interoperability among participating nations. 
 
UNITAS 2025 will showcase maritime technology, including unmanned and hybrid fleet systems, building on last years integration of unmanned undersea vehicles. The exercise will culminate in high-end warfighting events. 
 
“The combined efforts of all planners have shaped UNITAS 2025 to be the largest and most robust iteration of the exercise to date,” said Patrick Cooper, UNITAS 2025 lead planner. “The level of expertise and enthusiasm of every participant at the MPC has been truly astounding.” 
 
UNITAS 2025 will also help set the stage for events celebrating the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, a monumental event. Planning efforts will continue until the Final Planning Conference (FPC) scheduled to be held in June. 
 
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is the maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South American maritime forces, working to improve unity, security and stability. 

From HII, March 29, 2025 
 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) hosted commencement exercises today, celebrating 77 graduates of the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. The ceremony was held at Liberty Live Church in Hampton. 

Virginia State Sen. Louise Lucas delivered the keynote commencement address. 

“The technical skills you acquired here will serve as a foundation upon which you build your career,” Lucas told the graduates. “The leadership lessons learned in The Apprentice School and in the shipyard will open doors to roads you might not have ever imagined.” 

NNS President Kari Wilkinson addressed the graduates as the shipyard’s newest leaders. 

“You have each signed up for an incredible, important mission,” Wilkinson said. “You literally build freedom for our nation, and I’m proud to stand beside you in doing so. You have honed your craft, demonstrated your dedication, and play a critical role in the stability of our nation. You are heroes, as well as teammates.” 

Founded in 1919, The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School has been accredited since 1982 by the Council on Occupational Education. Certification to grant associate degrees and confer degrees on its own came in July 2020, after the school was approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to operate as a postsecondary institution. 

Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-celebrates-2024-graduates-of-the-newport-news-shipbuilding-apprentice-school/. 

A majority of this year’s class joined the Apprentice School in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the school significantly reduced normal enrollment. 

Travis Johnson received the Homer L. Ferguson Award, which recognizes the apprentice graduating with the highest average in combined required academic and craft grades. 

Johnson joined NNS in 2018 as a pipefitter working in the new construction aircraft carrier program. In 2020, he was accepted into The Apprentice School. Today, he is a pipefitting instructor at the school, teaching students who are pursuing the same path he chose. 

During his address, Johnson asked graduates to reflect on the perseverance and dedication that defined their apprenticeships and that set them up for success as shipyard leaders. 

“Today is proof that we are strong, capable, and can accomplish anything if we refuse to give up,” Johnson shared. “But this isn’t the finish line; it’s actually just the beginning. So as you step into your next chapter — whatever that may be — remember what you’ve learned.” 

Replay coverage of the ceremony is available at: https://hii.com/events/nns-as-graduation/. 

The following is a profile of the graduating class: 

• Twenty graduates completed an optional advanced program, earning an associate or bachelor’s degree. The program includes coursework in subjects and fields such as marine design, nuclear testing, production planning, supply chain, metrology and marine engineering. 

• Thirty-six graduates earned honors, a combination of academic and craft grades that determine overall performance. 

• Forty-one graduates earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in maritime technology. 

• Thirty-seven graduates completed Frontline FAST, an accelerated skills training program for potential foremen. 

• Twenty-four graduates were inducted into The National Society of Leadership Success. 

• Eight graduates completed the World Class Shipbuilder Curriculum and advanced optional program with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. 

• Six graduates are military veterans or are currently serving in the armed services as reservists and guardsmen. 

• Thirteen graduates earned Gold Athletic Awards. 

• Two graduates are former presidents of the Apprentice School Student Association. 

The Apprentice School accepts more than 200 apprentices per year. The school offers four- to eight-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and seven optional programs. Apprentices work a 40-hour week and are paid for all work, including time spent in academic classes. 

For more information about The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, please visit www.as.edu.