USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) prepares to pass under the Al Salam Bridge during a strait transit of the Suez Canal on June 1, 2021. US Navy Photo
The three-ship Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group is now in the Mediterranean Sea after operating for 109 days in the Middle East supporting the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Navy officials told USNI News on Monday. Read More
USS Portland (LPD-27) successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a Solid State Laser. US Navy Image
Amphibious ship USS Portland (LPD-27) shot down a drone with a laser weapon during a first-of-its-kind at-sea test of the Navy’s high-energy laser weapon system. Read More
The Office of Naval Research highlights the results of some laser weapon tests, showing the damage that its in-development Solid State Laser- Technology Maturation system did to various unmanned systems, metals and more. USNI News photo.
The Navy will field versions of both its highest-power laser weapon and its low-end non-lethal laser dazzler later this year, gaining operational experience with directed energy weapons that will continue to focus engineers’ efforts building out the Navy Laser Family of Systems (NLFoS). Read More
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) arrives in San Diego on May 8, 2018. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated to correct the amphibious ships that suffered mechanical problems preventing their full participation in RIMPAC. USS Boxer was sidelined with mechanical difficulties and could not participate in RIMPAC SOCAL. USS Portland (LPD-27) served as the 3rd Fleet command ship for the duration of the exercise. This post has also been updated to clarify the role of USS Bonhomme Richard during RIMPAC.
THE PENTAGON — The two U.S. amphibious warships that were planned to be central to the Rim of the Pacific 2018 exercises were unable to fully participate in the event due to mechanical failures that highlight continued readiness problems with the Navy’s amphibious fleet. Read More
USS Portland (LPD-27) during sea trials in July 2017. US Navy photo.
The newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, USS Portland (LPD-27), commissioned on Saturday in a ceremony in the ship’s namesake city of Portland, Ore.
