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USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) steams in formation with USS Independence (LCS-2) and USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) on Dec. 8, 2016. US Navy Photo
CAPITOL HILL – Major parts from the Navy’s abbreviated class of Zumwalt destroyers (DDG-1000) will be integrated into the service’s program to replace the aging fleet of guided-missile cruisers, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said on Tuesday. Read More
Adm. Philip S. Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivers the keynote address at the Surface Navy Association’s 30th National Symposium on Jan. 11, 2018. US Navy Photo
The Senate Armed Services Committee voted to confirm Adm. Phil Davidson as the next commander of U.S. Pacific Command. Read More
The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) departs Naval Station Mayport on Feb. 7, 2018, for a scheduled six-month deployment. US Navy photo.
CAPITOL HILL – Navy and Marine Corps leaders are mulling if and how to up-gun the San Antonio-class LPD Flight II ships; whether to buy more attack submarines and how to extend the lives of a handful of Los Angeles-class; and other ideas to increase the size and the lethality of the fleet in the near- to mid-term. Read More
The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22), left, Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), center, and the Royal Navy hunter killer submarine, HMS Trenchant (S-91) surface through the ice during the multinational maritime Ice Exercise (ICEX) in the Arctic Circle on March 21, 2018. ICEX 2018 is a five-week exercise that allows the Navy to assess its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies and partner organizations. US Navy photo
CAPITOL HILL — The Navy will release a new Arctic strategy this summer to reflect the potential for “blue-water Arctic” operations, service leadership said today. Read More
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson holds an all-hands call aboard the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) on May 16, 2017. The ship is moored in Changi, Singapore, in preparation for the International Maritime Defense Exhibition. US Navy photo.
CAPITOL HILL — The Navy anticipates returning to a ready state by 2022, top leadership said today, after being gutted by nearly a decade of continuing resolutions and budget caps. Read More
The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) arrives at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in August 2015 for a high-priority docking continuous maintenance availability. US Navy photo.
CAPITOL HILL – The Navy will execute a $21-billion, 20-year public shipyard optimization plan as a series of small projects that can be done even as maintenance work on submarines and aircraft carriers continues at the yards, the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition told senators today. Read More
The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) is anchored off the coast of Bengkulu, Indonesia, in support of Pacific Partnership (PP) 2018 on March 30, 2018. PP-18’s mission is to work collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific region. US Navy photo.
The Navy has created yet another Requirements Evaluation Team to look at filling a future fleet need, this time to analyze its need for a hospital ship and platforms for other intra-theater missions, the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems said in a hearing Thursday. Read More
USS Preble (DDG-88), USS Halsey (DDG-97) and USS Sampson (DDG-102) were underway behind the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in March. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated to include additional information from the hearing.
CAPITOL HILL – The Navy will keep every one of its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in service for 45 years, extending the life of the entire class. The move allows the Navy to reach a 355-ship fleet by 2036 or 2037, the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems said on Thursday. Read More
National Defense Reserve Fleet Suisun Bay, Calif. in 2014. US Navy
NATIONAL HARBOR. Md. – The merchant fleet that would carry the U.S. military to war is in dire need of recapitalization and might not prepared to fight its way to a conflict zone, said a panel of officials tasked with oversight of military sealift. Read More
The omnibus funding bill will fund the completion of Ford-class carrier John F. Kennedy, more F-35Cs, MQ-8C Fire Scouts, the first LX(R) amphibious warship and three Littoral Combat Ships. USNI News Image
This post has been updated to include the Senate’s passage of the omnibus spending bill early on Friday morning.
Congress showed significant support for Navy shipbuilding in its defense-heavy Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus budget deal that emerged this week, adding $3.3 billion for five additional ships to support Navy fleet growth and industrial base needs.
The omnibus spending bill covers the current fiscal year, which is still being funded with a continuing resolution, and comes just days before another government shutdown deadline.
