Tag Archives: Avenger class

OPNAV N95: Expeditionary Sea Bases Ideal Ships to Operate Mine Countermeasure Mission Packages

OPNAV N95: Expeditionary Sea Bases Ideal Ships to Operate Mine Countermeasure Mission Packages

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Capt. David Gray, the military detachment officer in charge of the Military Sealift Command expeditionary sea base USNS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (ESB 4), gives guidance and direction to Sailors while leading a training evolution aboard one of the ship’s ridged-hull inflatable boats while the ship was at anchor in the Chesapeake Bay, Sept. 15, 2019. Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams is conducting mine countermeasures equipment testing. US Navy photo.

It’s growing more likely that components of the mine countermeasures mission package designed for the Littoral Combat Ship small combatant will end up also fielded on the Navy’s massive Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea bases, the director of expeditionary warfare (OPNAV N95) said this week. Read More →

Navy Crafting Master Plan for New Era of Mine Warfare

Navy Crafting Master Plan for New Era of Mine Warfare

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Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM-14) travels through waters near the Korean peninsula during the annual Multinational Mine Warfare Exercise (MN MIWEX) on Oct. 19, 2018.

THE PENTAGON – The Navy’s mine warfare community is putting together a comprehensive plan to lay out the investments required for a successful transition from legacy mine countermeasures systems to more advanced capabilities. Read More →

USNI News Video: Avengers Assemble

USNI News Video: Avengers Assemble

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The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM-14) pulls into Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea (ROK) as part of a routine port visit on Sept. 26, 2017. US Navy Photo

For nearly three decades, the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships have sought to identify and kill moored and bottom mines.

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LCS Mine Countermeasures Package May Reach IOC By September After July IOT&E

LCS Mine Countermeasures Package May Reach IOC By September After July IOT&E

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The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS-2) deploys a remote multi-mission vehicle (RMMV) while testing the ship's mine countermeasures mission package (MCM) off the southern California coast in August 2013. Austal USA photo.

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS-2) deploys a remote multi-mission vehicle (RMMV) while testing the ship’s mine countermeasures mission package (MCM) off the southern California coast in August 2013. Austal USA photo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – USS Independence (LCS-2) got underway Tuesday to prepare for its mine countermeasures mission package technical evaluation (TECHEVAL), which will be followed by initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) in July and likely a declaration of initial operational capability (IOC) by the end of September, the program executive officer for Littoral Combat Ships told USNI News. Read More →

Navy’s New ‘Battle Force’ Tally to Include Hospital Ships and Small Patrol Craft

Navy’s New ‘Battle Force’ Tally to Include Hospital Ships and Small Patrol Craft

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USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), one of the Navy's two hospital ships that will be counted in the service's 'battle force' as part of a new plan that reclassifies existing ships by assets in high demand by combatant commanders. US Navy Photo

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), one of the Navy’s two hospital ships that will be counted in the service’s ‘battle force’ as part of a new plan that reclassifies existing ships by assets in high demand by combatant commanders. US Navy Photo


This post was updated from its original version to include a reaction from Rep Randy Forbes (R-Va.), chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee.

The Navy is changing the way it counts its ships that will increase the hulls it has on the books by almost ten by including small patrol craft and hospital ships as part of its “battle force,” according to a March 7 congressional notification obtained by USNI News. Read More →