USS Kauffman (FFG-59) transits the Hudson River during Fleet Week 2011. US Navy Photo
UPDATE: USS Kauffman (FFG-59) began its final deployment, three days later than planned and left Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on Sunday, according to a statement from the Navy.
The final deployment for the Oliver Hazard Perry class of frigates begins today. Read More
USS Taylor (FFG-50) returns to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Fla. on Aug. 9, 2014. The ship is one of four the US may sell to Taiwan. US Navy Photo
China issued a strong statement against a planned sale of U.S. Oliver Hazard Perry frigates to Taiwan that was singed into U.S. law on Thursday. Read More
Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) and Royal Brunei Navy Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel KDB Darulaman (PV-08) on Nov. 12, 2014 . US Navy Photo
The Taiwanese government said has sets aside $176 million to buy two Oliver Hazard Perry as part of a potential four ship deal, Defense Minister David Lo said on Tuesday. Read More
USS Ingraham (FFG 61) prepares to moor at Naval Station Everett following a deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet. US Navy Photo
The youngest Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate (FFG-7) was decommissioned this week as the more than 30-year-old ship class is set to leave the U.S. fleet by the end of next year. Read More
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
In the next 15 to 25 years it is not unreasonable to imagine that unmanned helicopter drones will be shuttling people and parts from shore-to-sea for routine non-tactical resupply missions. Read More
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
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) departs Souda Bay, Greece harbor following a port visit on Feb. 11, 2013. US Navy Photo.
Interaction with partner navies around the world is a centerpiece of “A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Sea Power,” the document that guides U.S. Navy maritime operations. One of the strategic imperatives in that directive demands that the Navy “[f]oster and sustain cooperative relationships with more international partners.” That task is extraordinarily difficult because of the disparity between U.S. ships and partner vessels in size and capabilities.
The recent decision to retire seven aging Aegis cruisers eases the disparity to some extent, but also highlights an ongoing debate about the future of the naval force structure. Those seven cruisers are in addition to the five Ticonderoga-class ships scheduled for decommissioning in 2013 and the six Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates also designated to leave the fleet this year. The retirement of the frigates raises old issues. The current naval construction program will replace the “low-end” warships with littoral combat ships (LCSs). The Navy needs the high-low mix across the spectrum of tactical mission areas, but how can this best be achieved?
A new book by former deputy undersecretary of the Navy Seth Cropsey stirs this boiling pot. Read More
