Virginia-class attack submarine Minnesota (SSN-783) under construction in 2012. US Navy Photo
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Navy is looking into the feasibility of accelerating design and development work on the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) in case the service decides to begin production earlier than the 2019 planned start, Navy acquisition chief Sean Stackley said Wednesday at a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing. Read More
The Navy is looking to compete the detail design and construction work for the T-AO(X) class, meant to replace the fleet replenishment oilers, such as the USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) above. US Navy Photo.
The Navy plans to open a limited competition between General Dynamics NASSCO and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding for work on the LHA-8 amphibious assault ship, the T-AO(X) fleet oiler replacement and the next generation LX(R) dock landing ship replacement – meant to introduce competition as well as more evenly distribute work in the shipbuilding industry, the service told USNI News. Read More
USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) in the Java Sea on Jan. 7, 2014. US Navy Photo
CRYSTAL CITY, VA. – The modified Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class will be designated as frigates, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced on Thursday at the Surface Navy Association 2015 symposium on Thursday. Read More
Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.). Naval Institute Photo
As the chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) has been both a booster and critic of the Navy’s quest to build more ships and its modernization efforts across its aviation, surface and submarine portfolios. Read More
Sean J. Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research Development and Acquisition, gives the keynote address during the 2014 Navy Opportunity Forum in Arlington, Va. US Navy Photo
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Navy’s chief weapons buyer called on Congress to rollback restrictive legislation that creates unnecessary bureaucracy and slows the development of next-generation military capabilities during a Wednesday appearance at the Atlantic Council. Read More
Sean J. Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research development and acquisition, joins Rear Adm. Mathias Winter’s daughter as they replace his one-star shoulder boards with two-star shoulder boards. US Navy Photo
The former head of unmanned programs at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has taken charge of the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research, ONR announced on Monday. Read More
USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts, and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2014. Read More
USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 31, 2014 as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group following a deployment. US Navy Photo
NORFOLK, VA — Early design work on the Navy’s next generation amphibious warship — based on the San Antonio-class (LPD-17) hull — has begun ahead of a planned 2020 procurement, Navy officials said on Wednesday. Read More
A unit for the future aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) rests on the assembly platen at Newport News Shipbuilding on March 5, 2014. US Navy Photo
Mike Petters — chief executive officer of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) — said delays in U.S. Navy contracts for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of USS George Washington (CVN-73) and construction contracts for the second Gerald Ford carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) are causing the shipbuilder concern, during a Thursday call with investors. Read More
USS Arlington (LPD-24) under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Huntington Ingalls Industries Photo
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has signed an internal memo recommending the service base its next generation amphibious warship (LX(R)) on the existing San Antonio-class (LPD-17) warship design, first reported by the Inside the Navy newsletter on Monday. Read More
