Tag Archives: Sen. Roger Wicker

Bipartisan Bill Calls for $25B in Infrastructure Funds for Shipyards

Bipartisan Bill Calls for $25B in Infrastructure Funds for Shipyards

Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Paul Villanyi, right, from Spring Hill, Florida, directs Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) 2nd Class Patrick Shores, from Chicago, during a monitored maintenance conducted on the AS/4293-A V/UHF Acquisition Antenna on the forward masthead light-pole aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) on April 8, 2021. US Navy Photo

A group of bipartisan lawmakers have drafted legislation aimed at recapitalizing America’s public and private shipyards, as Congress and the Biden administration grapple with a nationwide infrastructure improvement plan. Read More

SECDEF Nominee Austin Affirms Threat From China, Will ‘Update’ National Defense Strategy

SECDEF Nominee Austin Affirms Threat From China, Will ‘Update’ National Defense Strategy

Defense Secretary nominee Lloyd Austin responds to a question during his Senate Armed Forces Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19, 2021. DoD Photo

President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Defense Department plans to take another look at the National Defense Strategy should he be confirmed, he told lawmakers on Tuesday. Read More

UPDATED: Navy's New Shipbuilding Plan ‘Dead on Arrival,’ Lawmakers Say

UPDATED: Navy’s New Shipbuilding Plan ‘Dead on Arrival,’ Lawmakers Say

Tripoli (LHA-7) is launched at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. on March 1, 2017. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to include information from a Feb. 10 budget briefing with Rear Adm. Randy Crites, the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget.

The proposed Navy shipbuilding plan that cuts a Virginia-class submarine, a frigate and an oiler that were previously planned for FY 2021 received immediate bipartisan pushback from the House and the Senate. Read More

Senator Wants to Keep Amphib Construction Moving, After FY 2020 Budget Request Delays Programs

Senator Wants to Keep Amphib Construction Moving, After FY 2020 Budget Request Delays Programs

Tripoli (LHA-7) is launched at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. on March 1, 2017. US Navy Photo

CAPITOL HILL – A Mississippi senator is pushing to get the Navy authority to begin advance procurement and early construction activities on two amphibious ships, despite the Navy’s budget request that show those two ships being purchased in full later than the shipbuilder might like. Read More

Navy, Industry Discussing Feasibility of Common Hull for Support Ships

Navy, Industry Discussing Feasibility of Common Hull for Support Ships

USS Spruance (DDG 111), the Military Sealift Command (MSC) ammunition and cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) steam in formation in the South China Sea Sea, Oct. 13, 2016. U.S. Navy Photo

CAPITOL HILL – Navy officials like the potential costs savings of using one hull design for the service’s family of support ships and are talking with industry leaders early and often to make this plan feasible.

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Navy Tackling Ford-Class Weapons Elevator Challenges; Decision on 2-Carrier Buy Still Pending

Navy Tackling Ford-Class Weapons Elevator Challenges; Decision on 2-Carrier Buy Still Pending

F/A-18F Pilot LCDR Jamie R. Struck the makes first carrier arrested landing using AAG system aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) off the Virginia coast. US Navy Photo

CAPITOL HILL – The Navy’s acquisition chief said the weapons elevators on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) will be built and installed by the time the ship comes out of its ongoing post-shakedown availability, but he may launch an independent review team to look at the long-term sustainability and reliability of the elevators. Read More