Tests of Boeing’s MQ-25A Stringray prototype in St. Louis. Boeing Image
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Though the Pentagon is accelerating how it buys unmanned and artificial intelligence systems, leaders want to move faster still in acquiring what the Defense Department considers key future technology. Read More
The following is the Sept. 18, 2020 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Joshua Espinoza, from Houston, welds a bulkhead on a weather deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in Portsmouth, Va., on Aug. 7, 2020. US Navy Photo
As it works to improve sustainment efforts across its platforms and infrastructure, the Navy has formed new working groups to problem solve the issues contributing to its maintenance and sustainment woes. Read More
Capt. Kai Torkelson. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated to include additional information from NAVSEA regarding who will take command of Norfolk Naval Shipyard next.
The commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard has been relieved of duty related to the yard’s ongoing performance struggles in repairing and modernizing nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, officials told USNI News on Monday. Read More
Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper reviews the damage from the July 12 fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard, docked at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., Sept. 18, 2020. DoD photo.
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. – USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) hasn’t moved from the pier-side spot where it caught fire on July 12 and burned for almost five days. The ship might not be moving anytime soon. Investigations into the fire have been extended until at least until December, USNI News understands, and with them any decisions about the fate of the ship.
Still, with the ship still hot enough to need cool air pumped inside, the crew has settled into a new normal, spending their duty rotations helping clear out the amphibious assault ship and offload equipment that can be salvaged and put back into the Navy supply system. Read More
USNI News Graphic
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Sept. 21, 2020, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Read More
Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) anchors near Montevideo, Uruguay as the ship makes a brief stop for fuel while anchored at sea on Aug. 19, 2020. US Navy Photo
USS Tripoli (LHA-7) has arrived at its new homeport at Naval Base San Diego, Calif. for the first time on Friday, according to ship spotters.
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For the first time in ten months, a U.S. aircraft carrier is now operating in the Persian Gulf, U.S. 5th Fleet announced on Friday morning. Read More
The following is the Sept. 15, 2020 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks to sailors aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on Sept. 17, 2020, during a visit to California. USNI News photo.
ABOARD AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS CARL VINSON, OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA – Defense Secretary Mark Esper told sailors today that heavy investment in unmanned systems would be key to the Navy reaching 355 or more ships and having the lethality and survivability needed if a conflict were to break out with China. Read More
