An MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle takes off from Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu on Oct. 31, 2013. US Navy Photo
Navy leaders are considering options to field the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C —the newest version of the Fire Scout unmanned aircraft aboard the service’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) fleet.
USS Stout (DDG-55) fires its MK45 5-inch gun during a live-fire exercise on Jan. 6, 2014. US Navy Photo
The surface Navy will take a page from the naval aviation community and standup a new command to teach combined surface tactics to the service’s top surface warfare officers by the end of the year, Vice Adm. Tom Copeman, commander of U.S. Surface Forces said in a Tuesday presentation at the Surface Navy Association symposium 2014 in Crystal City, Va.
USS Mahan (DDG 72) at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. US Navy Photo
The Navy needs to perfect three technologies on its quest for its next generation of large warships, Rear Adm. Thomas Rowden, director of surface warfare (N96) for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) told USNI News in an interview in the Pentagon on Jan. 9. Read More
Fort Worth (LCS-3) conducts builders trials in 2011. Lockheed Martin Photo
Follow-on versions of the Lockheed Martin Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) will incorporate numerous improvements based on lessons from operational deployments. Read More
Syrian government forces have reportedly launched a new round of chemical attacks against rebel forces outside Damascus, leaving scores dead and wounded. Read More
An artist’s conception of the Air Missile Defense Radar (AMDR). Raytheon Photo
As negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland work out the final details for an agreement that will allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to Iran’s nuclear facilities in return for relief of some of the economic sanctions on Iran, hawks in Washington, Tel Aviv and Riyadh have come together in opposition to the proposed deal. The P5+1 diplomatic initiative (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany) reached an initial agreement with Iran in November. Read More
USS Taylor (FFG-50) departs Naval Station Mayport for a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets on Jan. 8, 2014. US Navy Photo
The following from the Vision for the 2026 Surface Fleet, released in January 2014. The document is authored by current head of U.S. Surface Forces, Vice Adm. Tom Copeman, who will be speaking this week at Surface Navy Association’s 2014 symposium. Read More
MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14 conducts practice MK-105 mine countermeasure operations in the Chesapeake Bay in 2011. US Navy Photo
The Navy has identified the missing pilot from the Wednesday crash of a MH-53E Sea Dragon crash off the coast of Virginia Beach, Va. Read More
Russian Borey-class (Project 955) ballistic nuclear missile submarine Yuri Dolgoruky during sea trials. RIA Novosti Photo
Russia plans to start construction of two new Borey-class (Project 955A) nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) in 2014, according to a Thursday report in state media, RIA Novosti. Read More
