The following is the June 8, 2021, Government Accountability Office 2021 report, Weapon Systems Annual Assessment: Updated Program Oversight Approach Needed. Read More
Category Archives: U.S. Navy
Navy Taps One-Star To Drive LCS Program Improvements
Information Specialist 1st Class Matthew Stephenson mans the lines as the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS-11) gets underway on Aug. 30, 2020. US Navy Photo
The Navy has installed a one-star admiral to oversee a task force focused on refining the employment, maintenance and reliability of the Littoral Combat Ship program, the service announced today. Read More
Ghost Fleet Ship ‘Nomad’ Arrives in California After 4,421 Nautical-Mile, ’98 Percent’ Autonomous Trip
Ghost Fleet Ship Nomad arriving at Point Loma, Calif., on May 29, 2021. IMage via Twitter
The Pentagon’s second autonomous test ship is in California after completing a 4,421 nautical-mile journey from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast after passing through the Panama Canal, according to a Monday statement provided to USNI News. Read More
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 7, 2021
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 June 7, 2021, 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
VIDEO: MQ-25A Unmanned Aerial Tanker Refuels Super Hornet in Successful First Test
MQ-25 T1 test asset refuels a Navy F/A-18 during a flight on June 4, 2021 at MidAmerica Airport in Illinois. This flight demonstrated that the MQ-25 Stingray can fulfill its tanker mission using the Navy’s standard probe-and-drogue aerial refueling method. Boeing Photo
This post has been updated with additional comments from Boeing and the Navy.
A prototype unmanned aerial tanker refueled a F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter last week in a first-of-its-kind test ahead of introducing drones to the Navy’s carrier flight decks, Naval Air Systems Command and Boeing announced on Monday. Read More
Cost Estimates for Lead Boat in Columbia-class Program Grow by $637M
Artist’s rendering of the Columbia-class SSBN submarine. US Navy Image
This story has been updated to include a statement from the Navy.
The Navy’s cost estimate for the lead ship in its new ballistic-missile submarine program grew by $637 million over the last year, according to the service’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget submission. Read More
PACAF CO: U.S. Working to Dampen Chinese Missile Advantage in the Pacific
U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander, Pacific Air Forces, adjusts his flight suit equipment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on May 10, 2021, in the Gulf of Alaska during Exercise Northern Edge 2021 (NE21). US Navy Photo
KUALA LUMPUR — U.S. Pacific Air Forces is crafting a dual strategy of defensive capabilities and dispersal of forces in order to negate the threat posed to its forces and bases by China’s increasing military capabilities, the PACAF commander said. Read More
VIDEO: U.S. 3rd Fleet Change of Command
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, congratulates Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler upon assuming command of U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma, June 3, 2021. US Navy Photo
The Navy’s numbered Fleet in the Eastern Pacific has a new commander following a Thursday ceremony, the service announced on Friday. Read More
Navy Stands Up Next-Generation Destroyer Program Office, Construction Start Planned for FY 28
Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) leads a formation including the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), USS Spruance (DDG-111), USS Pinckney (DDG-91) and USS Kidd (DDG-100), and the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS-4) during U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) on April 21, 2021. US Navy Photo
The Navy has stood up an office to craft the next major surface combatant after more than ten years of starts and stops. On Friday, the service held a small ceremony to open the Guided-Missile Destroyer (DDG(X)) program office, designated as PMS 460 under Program Executive Office Ships, with a goal to start construction of a new design by Fiscal Year 2028, the service said in a statement provided to USNI News. Read More
CNO Gilday Pledges Closer Working Relationships With British, French Navies
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday meets with U.K. First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Adm. Tony Radakin, and Chief of the French Navy Adm. Pierre Vandier for a trilateral maritime discussion. The three heads of Navy met in France to sign a trilateral joint statement reaffirming their commitment to deeper co-operation and interoperability around the globe on June 3, 2021. US Navy Photo
After signing a new trilateral agreement pushing for deeper cooperation, the top officers of the American, French and British navies signaled that their naval forces are in a new era of seamless command and control. Read More
