ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. — Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded an order to provide Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) systems for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, the company said in a June 16 release. The $151.3 million award from the Air Force was…
Raytheon Smart Weapon Completes First Guided Release from Navy Super Hornet
TUCSON, Ariz. — Raytheon’s Missiles & Defense business recently carried out the first guided release of a GBU-53/B StormBreaker smart weapon from an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which will become the second fighter to utilize the weapon when the program reaches initial operational capability later this year, the company said. “StormBreaker is…
USS Fitzgerald En Route to San Diego After Collision Repairs
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald departed Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard on June 13 to return to its homeport in San Diego, Naval Sea Systems Command said in a release. The sail away reflects more than two years of effort in restoring and modernizing…
Senate Bill Would Require More DDGs in Rota
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Senate Armed Services Committee has marked up its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to require a plan to increase the number of Navy destroyers based in Rota, Spain. The mark-up, released June 11, “[r]equires the Chief…
Senate Bill Devotes More Money to Shipbuilding, Creates Pacific Deterrence Initiative
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Senate Armed Services Committee’s $740.5 billion version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act includes a billion-dollar boost in shipbuilding to $21.3 billion, signaling support for the 355-ship U.S. Navy “as soon as practicable.” The legislation, approved…
Bell-Boeing Delivers 400th Osprey
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — Bell-Boeing has delivered the 400th V-22 Osprey to the Defense Department. U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command received the 400th Osprey, a CV-22, on June 2, marking a milestone for the world’s first production tilt-rotor aircraft. “The delivery of the 400th V-22 represents…
Trump Orders Review of Polar Security Cutter Program
ARLINGTON, Va. — President Trump has ordered a review of the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking polar security cutter (PSC) program, with a focus on exploring options for nuclear power, heavy armament and leasing stopgap icebreakers. In a June 9 memorandum from the White House to several federal departments, titled “Safeguarding…
Navy Secretary, CNO Announce New Batch of Flag Officer Assignments
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy secretary and chief of naval operations on June 10 announced these flag officer assignments: Rear Adm. Daniel L. Cheever will be assigned as director for plans, policy and strategy, J-5, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air…
Cleaned After COVID-19 Detection, Amphib Carter Hall Awaits Crew’s Return
ARLINGTON, Va. — The most recent U.S. Navy warship to detect COVID-19 among crew members, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall has been cleaned and sanitized and awaits a decision to move the crew back on board, according…
CNO to Issue Order Banning Confederate Flag
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has begun to develop a policy prohibiting the display of the Confederate battle flag aboard Navy bases, ships, aircraft and submarines, a Navy official said. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday’s order will be “meant to ensure unit cohesion,…
