Tag Archives: OPNAV N95

N95 Coffman Says Accelerate Big Deck Amphib Construction, Cut LSD Modernization Program

N95 Coffman Says Accelerate Big Deck Amphib Construction, Cut LSD Modernization Program

 

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group steams in formation on Dec. 24, 2018. Navy photo.

This post has been updated to reflect that the Navy is looking at truncating the modernization period for USS Whidbey Island, the next to go into a planned layup period. Due to source error, this story previously said the Navy was eyeing USS Tortuga, which is currently in a yard for modernization.

ARLINGTON, Va. – In an attempt to address a “capacity problem” in the amphibious ship fleet, the head of expeditionary warfare wants to accelerate the construction of new amphibious assault ships and stop a lengthy upgrade program for the aging LSDs to return them to fleet operations. Read More

Navy Pitching Amphibious Warship Overhaul to Boost Lethality, Survivability

Navy Pitching Amphibious Warship Overhaul to Boost Lethality, Survivability

The guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) leads the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) in formation during a simulated strait transit as part of Dawn Blitz 2017. US Navy photo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The amphibious force may get a massive capability overhaul, if a plan by the Expeditionary Warfare Directorate (OPNAV N95) to increase lethality and survivability of amphibious ships is accepted by Navy and Marine Corps leadership. Read More

Navy Thinking Beyond Littoral Combat Ship for Future Mine Warfare

Navy Thinking Beyond Littoral Combat Ship for Future Mine Warfare

Petty Officer 2nd Class John Christner assigned to Commander, Task Group 56.1 (CTG 56.1), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit One, embarked aboard RFA Lyme Bay (L 3007), examines an inert mine training shape on Oct. 15, 2016, during UK/US Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2017 (UK/US MCM-Ex 17). US Navy photo.

THE PENTAGON – The Navy is moving to further divorce mine warfare capabilities from specific platforms, going even beyond the modular setup of the Littoral Combat Ship. Read More

Navy Crafting Master Plan for New Era of Mine Warfare

Navy Crafting Master Plan for New Era of Mine Warfare

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

Navy Developing New Mine Countermeasures USV for Littoral Combat Ships

Navy Developing New Mine Countermeasures USV for Littoral Combat Ships

A developmental, early variant of the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) autonomously conducts maneuvers on the Potomac River Test Range on March 28, 2018. US Navy Photo

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Last week Naval Sea Systems Command won Pentagon approval to develop a mine countermeasure unmanned surface vehicle as part of the Navy’s ongoing effort to replace its aging MCM infrastructure. Read More

Expeditionary Forces Considering How 'Surge' Rotations Abroad Could Boost Readiness, Presence

Expeditionary Forces Considering How ‘Surge’ Rotations Abroad Could Boost Readiness, Presence

Maj. Gen. David Coffman, director of Expeditionary Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, meets with staff of Coastal Riverine Group 2 (CRG 2) prior to a tour of the Mark VI patrol boat during a visit to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) in September 2017. US Navy photo.

THE PENTAGON – The amphibious force wants to provide more ready forces at sea and training opportunities for a higher-end fight, and is considering ways to rotate more forces forward as a solution. Read More

Navy, Marines Eyeing Ship Capability Upgrade Plans that Focus on Weapons, C5I

Navy, Marines Eyeing Ship Capability Upgrade Plans that Focus on Weapons, C5I

The amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) steam in formation while participating in a photo exercise in the Arabian Gulf on Nov. 28, 2017. US Navy Photo

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Navy and Marine Corps are eyeing upgrade plans for their surface combatants and amphibious ships to help guide the development of weapons, sensors, networks and more that will support those ships in a future operating environment. Read More

Surface Navy Working to Bring Firepower Over the Horizon Through Networking, F-35 Integration

Surface Navy Working to Bring Firepower Over the Horizon Through Networking, F-35 Integration

USS AMERICA, At Sea – An F-35B Lightning II aircraft completes Envelope Expansion Testing during a Short Take-off Vertical Landing aboard USS America, Oct. 30, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo

The surface Navy is looking to capitalize on recent successes increasing ships’ offensive range and lethality, with the next task being added sensing and targeting capabilities to support its new weaponry.

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Navy, Marines Ponder Alternative Platforms' Role as First ESB Now Operating in 5th Fleet

Navy, Marines Ponder Alternative Platforms’ Role as First ESB Now Operating in 5th Fleet

AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced) land on the flight deck of the expeditionary mobile base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in support of Alligator Dagger 2017. Alligator Dagger is a dedicated, unilateral combat rehearsal led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Combined Navy and Marine Corps units of the America Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Units are to practice, rehearse and exercise integrated capabilities that are available to U.S. Central Command, both afloat and ashore. US Navy photo.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy and Marine Corps are committed to using alternative platforms to move Marines around at sea, but there are still decisions yet to be made about how to maximize these ships’ effectiveness and minimize risk while operating independently or as part of a strike group. Read More

Amphibious Warfare Leaders Warn Against Buying Light Carriers Instead of Amphibs

Amphibious Warfare Leaders Warn Against Buying Light Carriers Instead of Amphibs

US Marine Sgt. Maj. Allen Goodyear, the squadron sergeant major for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, signals for an F-35B Lightning II to take off from the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Exercise Dawn Blitz. US Marine Corps Photo

The Navy’s director of amphibious warfare warned that pursuing a light aircraft carrier option in lieu of amphibious assault ships would limit the Marines’ options for responding to operational commanders’ needs, and instead urged faster shipbuilding and experimenting with new ship groupings to increase operational flexibility. Read More