Category Archives: Surface Forces

Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Further Solidifying its Role in Training, Operations

March 7, 2019 3:42 PM

The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) fires its forward MK-45 5-inch gun during a pre-action calibration fire evolution. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) cruiser-destroyer (CRUDES) units are completing the first East Coast CRUDES Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise. US Navy photo.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Last year, the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center accomplished a host of firsts in its advanced training activities for surface ships. This year, SMWDC intends to continue to solidify its role in the Navy through more tactical development and a focus on the mine warfare portion of its portfolio.

Second Weapons Elevator Accepted Aboard USS Gerald R. Ford

By: Ben Werner

March 6, 2019 5:51 PM

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Shameka Judene, from Augusta, Georgia, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) weapons department, operates Advanced Weapons Elevator (AWE) upper stage no. 3. Navy photo.

The Navy accepted the second advanced weapons elevator aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) a month after the first elevator was deemed operational.

Navy to Contract New Class of Unmanned Surface Vehicle by Year’s End

By: Sam LaGrone

March 6, 2019 3:50 PM

Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MDUSV) prototype Sea Hunter pulls into Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Oct. 31, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Navy is moving fast to acquire a new class of unmanned surface vehicles and hopes to award a contract for USV designs by the end of the year, USNI News has learned. Read More →

Report to Congress on Changes in the Arctic

March 6, 2019 9:24 AM

The followings is the March 4, 2019 Congressional Research Service report, Changes in the Arctic:
Background and Issues for Congress. Read More →

Report: U.S. Carriers Need New Lethal Unmanned Aircraft, New Fighter to Stay Relevant

By: Sam LaGrone

March 5, 2019 5:50 PM

X-47B Salty Dog 501 flies over USS Theodore Roosevelt on Aug. 17, 2014. US Naval Institute Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — To keep U.S. carriers relevant into the 21st century, the Navy needs to restart development of a lethal unmanned aircraft to fly from carrier decks, according to a new study on the future of the carrier air wing. Read More →

EUCOM Wants More Destroyers, Expanded Aircraft Carrier Presence to Deter Russia

By: John Grady

March 5, 2019 5:02 PM

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) as the ship transits the Strait of Gibraltar on Dec. 4, 2018. US Navy Photo

The top American officer in Europe wants two more destroyers stationed in his area of responsibility and a “better pace” of carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups moving through the region, he said during a Tuesday hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Read More →

Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Ship Names

March 5, 2019 7:33 AM

The following is the Feb. 28, 2019 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress. Read More →

Pacific Partnership 2019 Puts Expeditionary Fast Transports in the Role of Command Ships

By: Ben Werner

March 4, 2019 5:01 PM

Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) departs Naval Base Guam, passing the MSC expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) and marking the start of Pacific Partnership 2019. US Navy photo

A pair of expeditionary fast transport ships (EPFs) are playing a key role in this year’s multi-national Pacific Partnership 2019 exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the region.

USNI News Video: Expeditionary Minehunting Units Growing in Size, Capabilities

By: Megan Eckstein

March 4, 2019 2:33 PM

From left to right, Machinist Mate 1st Class Micah Patterson, Boatswains Mate 1st Class Stephen Wodraska, Engineman 2nd Class Richard Meyer, Mineman 1st Class Coy Tully and Mineman 3rd Class Pete Calvert, assigned to Commander, Task Group 56.1, launch a MK 18 MOD 2 unmanned underwater vehicle from a rigid-hull inflatable boat during Squadex 2016 on Aug. 2, 2016. US Navy photo.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Navy is investing in its explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) force, doubling the number of unmanned systems platoons in the community in the next couple years and improving the technology on their unmanned underwater vehicles. Read More →

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 4, 2019

March 4, 2019 10:42 AM

USNI News Image

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of March 4, 2019, 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 →

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