ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), will operate all over the North Atlantic this year when it completes its current shipyard availability, a Navy admiral said, and will operate under the auspices of the U.S. 2nd Fleet. 

“Ford is doing amazingly well, coming out of the shipyard her for initial employment,” said Rear Adm. John F. Meier, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, speaking Feb. 1 during a panel discussion at the Technology, Systems and Ships Symposium conducted by the American Society of Naval Engineers. 

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to demonstrate the new technology,” Meier said. “We’re going to do that as a service-retained employment, so not part of the normal global force deployment schedule, but we will be working with partners, we’ll be working all over the place as 2nd Fleet takes charge of that carrier and operates with a wide variety of operations up and down the coast, across the Atlantic [and] down in the Caribbean.” 

Meier said the Ford’s upcoming operations would be “a really great opportunity to show off that aircraft carriers are in fact extremely maneuverable, upwards of 700 [nautical] miles a day. And robust — most especially robust when you think about the refueled range of the aircraft that fly from them.”  

The Ford currently is in a planned incremental availability at Newport News Shipbuilding. All 11 weapon elevators have been certified as of December. Since it began flight operations, it has completed 8,100 catapult launches and the same number of arrested landings, said Rear Adm. Jim Downey, program executive officer for aircraft carriers, also speaking at the event. 

WASHINGTON — The future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), the Navy’s 12th San Antonio class-amphibious transport dock ship, completed acceptance trials Jan. 31, Team Ships Public Affairs said in a release. 

Acceptance trials consist of integrated testing to demonstrate the capability of the platform and installed systems across all mission areas to effectively meet its requirements. These demonstrations are used to validate the quality of construction and compliance with Navy specifications and requirements prior to delivering the craft to the Navy. LPD 28 will now prepare for delivery in a few weeks. 

“With the completion of both builder’s and acceptance trials, we are confident that LPD 28 has proven the operational readiness of the vessel and the capabilities it will soon bring to the fleet,” said Capt. Cedric McNeal, program manager, Amphibious Warfare Program Office, Program Executive Office Ships. “The collaboration between the Navy and our industry partners ensures that we’ll have a capable and ready ship for our Sailors.” 

The San Antonio-class is designed to support embarking, transporting, and landing Marines and their equipment by conventional or air-cushioned landing craft. The ship’s capabilities are further enhanced by its flight deck and hangar, enabling the ship to operate a variety of Marine Corps helicopters and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Because of the ships inherent capabilities, they are able to support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations, expeditionary warfare, or disaster relief missions, operating independently or as part of amphibious ready groups, expeditionary strike groups, or joint task forces. 

In addition to LPD 28, Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding Division is currently in production of the future USS Richard S. McCool (LPD 29) and the future USS Harrisburg (LPD 30), with LPD 31 planned for start of fabrication later this spring. LPD 28 and 29 will serve as transition ships to LPD 30 – the first LPD 17 Flight II ship. 

LPD 28 and LPD 29 will incorporate design innovations and cost-reduction strategies based upon lessons learned and improved technologies.  The ships will have a more traditional mast in place of the two Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensors and an updated deckhouse and boat valley design. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations announced Feb. 1 the following nominations for appointment to the rank of rear admiral lower half:

Capt. Brian H. Bennett for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Bennett is currently serving as executive officer to commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida.  

Capt. George E. Bresnihan for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Bresnihan is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Supply Systems Command, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.   

Capt. Matthew Case for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Case is currently serving as executive assistant to the surgeon general of the Navy, Washington, D.C.   

Capt. Carey H. Cash for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Cash is currently serving as commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, Newport Rhode Island.  

Capt. Maximilian Clark for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Clark is currently serving as executive assistant, N98, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.   

Capt. Adan G. Cruz for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Cruz is currently serving as deputy, Combat Systems and Integration, N96, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.  

Capt. John E. Dougherty IV for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Dougherty is currently serving as major program manager, Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft Programs (PMA 230), Patuxent River, Maryland.   

Capt. Kavon Hakimzadeh for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Hakimzadeh is currently serving as programs and policy director, Aircraft Carrier Branch Head, N980C, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.   

Capt. Keith A. Hash for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Hash is currently serving as program manager for Air Warfare, PMA-298, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland.   

Capt. Tracy L. Hines for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Hines is currently serving as executive assistant to the chief of naval operations, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Stephen J. Jackson for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Jackson is currently serving as programs and policy director, Expeditionary Combat Branch Head, N957, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Kevin M. Kennedy for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Kennedy is currently serving as director, Surface Warfare Officer Distribution and Career Management Division (PERS 41), Millington, Tennessee.  

Capt. Jeffrey J. Kilian for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Kilian is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Brett W. Mietus for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Mietus is currently serving as the director of the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Integration Group, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Thomas P. Moninger for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Moninger is currently serving as executive officer to commander, U.S. Southern Command, Miami, Florida. 

Capt. Martin J. Muckian for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Muckian is currently serving as chief of staff to commander, U.S. Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and chief of staff, U.S. Strategic Command Special Activities Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.    

Capt. Gregory D. Newkirk for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Newkirk is currently serving as executive assistant to commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. 

Capt. Matthew C. Paradise for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Paradise is currently serving chief of staff, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, California.   

Capt. Chase D. Patrick for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Patrick is currently serving as director, Navy Senate Liaison Office, Office of Legislative Affairs, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Ryan M. Perry for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Perry is currently serving as force public affairs officer, Naval Special Warfare Command, San Diego, California.  

Capt. Bradley N. Rosen for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Rosen is currently serving as chief of staff, Navy Installations Command, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Jonathan E. Rucker for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Rucker is currently serving as program manager, COLUMBIA, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Christopher D. Stone for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Stone is currently serving as executive assistant to the vice chief of naval operations, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Nicholas R. Tilbrook for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Tilbrook is currently serving as executive assistant to deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources, N8, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Guido F. Valdes for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Valdes is currently serving as deputy commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, Portsmouth, Virginia.  

Capt. Alexis T. Walker for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Walker is currently serving as commanding officer, Surface Warfare Officer School Command, Newport, Rhode Island.   

Capt. David P. Walt for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Walt is currently serving as comptroller, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller), Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Robert E. Wirth for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Wirth is currently serving as director, Submarine/Nuclear Officer Distribution (PERS 42), Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee.   

Capt. Michael S. Wosje for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Wosje is currently serving as executive assistant to deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting requirements and capabilities, N9, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. 

Capt. Douglas L. Williams for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Williams is currently serving as technical director for Strategic Systems Program, Washington, D.C. 

The board selected these officers to ensure the Navy has the right senior officers to employ, generate, and design the fleet for combat operations, recognizing that the continued preeminence of the Navy is inextricably linked to its ability to successfully change. To do so, the Navy needs innovative and bold leaders who think creatively and critically are their own toughest critic, challenge assumptions and take well-calculated risks that maximize effectiveness.

The board looked for officers with sustained, superior performance in O5 and O6 command who demonstrated key attributes such as: taking ownership while working collaboratively, looking at new ideas with an open mind, generating a culture of continuous learning, and showing absolute readiness to unleash the power of its people in leading men and women coming from widely varying backgrounds.

SAN DIEGO — General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems announced Feb. 1 that its Autonomous Flight Termination Units carried onboard two sounding rockets were successfully demonstrated and performed as expected during a High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics test flight campaign sponsored by the Navy Strategic Systems Programs and Army Hypersonic Program Office on Oct. 20, 2021, at Wallops Island, Virginia.  

The AFTUs help assure missile flight safety and were part of a test campaign to demonstrate technologies to advance the development of the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike and the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon offensive hypersonic strike capability.  

“GA-EMS’ long-established cooperative relationship with the Army, Navy and Sandia National Labs has been key to the design and advancement of hypersonic weapons technologies,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “Test flight demonstrations such as this are a critical part of the process toward verifying and inserting this technology into future hypersonic weapon systems. We are pleased the AFTUs performed successfully, advancing the readiness of the AFTU technology. This represents a major step in proving the AFTU’s capability to successfully operate in the hypersonic environment for which they were designed.”    

GA-EMS’ state-of-the-art AFTU offers greater flexibility to assure flight safety for missiles launched for space applications or military weapons testing. Integrated aboard a missile, the AFTU takes a pre-launch defined mission profile and compares it with what the launched missile experiences as it flies. If the flight profile rules or boundaries are violated during flight, the AFTU will command the vehicle to destruct. The AFTU’s compact, lightweight design reduces the size, weight, and power requirements aboard the test vehicle.  

“The missile and space flight industry must provide a means of preventing a launch or aeronautical vehicle and its hazards, including any payload hazards, from reaching any populated or other protected area in the event of a vehicle failure,” Forney said. “Our AFTUs provide the flexibility to operate independently or can be paired to operate together to share data, with the ability to continue the flight should one fail, thus increasing mission assurance.”  

ARLINGTON, Va. — The new Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States held its ribbon-cutting opening ceremony on Jan. 31, with the center’s first dean, retired Adm. Jamie Foggo, saying it will provide thought leadership and advocacy for all the sea services and advocate for a strong industrial base to build the needed platforms that support them.

“Ninety percent of the world’s traded goods go via the sea … there are a lot of actors and factors out there that threaten these sea lines of communication,” Foggo said during the ceremony at the Navy League building in Arlington, Virginia.

He noted the last National Defense Strategy called out five adversaries: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and violent extremist organizations, all of which remain formidable opponents.

Foggo cited a speech by former Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson about the narrow margin of victory at Midway, which turned the tide in the Pacific in World War II.

“With adversaries surrounding us and our interests, resources tight, and lots of domestic concerns at home, the margins to victory in any future conflict may once again be razor thin,” Foggo said. “It’s our goal in the Center for Maritime Strategy to help the maritime services in collaboration with our leadership in the administration and Capitol Hill, think through this and come up with a winning combination of strategy, force structure, and resources.”

Congressional Viewpoint

Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Virginia, a 20-year Navy veteran and vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee, was the keynote speaker at the event.

“We need a real center like this who can think through and justify” the Navy’s needs, including the number of ships required to fulfill its mission, Luria said.

In the days of President Theodore Roosevelt, a former under secretary of the Navy who supported the founding of the Navy league, shipbuilding was robust, Luria said, and “that was part of the American psyche.”

The message about the importance of the sea services needs to “get outside of this room” and be part of the “dialogue with the American people.”

Attendees at the event included active-duty admirals, congressional staffers, retired flag officers, naval attaches from allies and partners from around the world, representatives from prestigious think tanks and leaders from industry.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy plans to begin a formal Analysis of Alternatives for its next generation nuclear-powered attack submarine, or SSN(X), a senior program official said. 

“We are looking at starting an AoA here probably within the next year said Lisa Radocha, executive director of the Navy’s Program Executive Office – Attack Submarines, speaking Jan. 31 on a panel at the Technology, Systems and Ships Symposium conducted by the American Society of Naval Engineers. 

Radocha said the Initial Capabilities Document for the SSN(X) is now under development. Research and development funds for the SSN(X) program are in the fiscal 2022 budget. 

She said the SSN(X) design will feature increased speed, an increased horizontal payload, improved acoustic superiority, and higher operational availability. 

Radocha pointed out that the period between the delivery of the first Virginia-class SSN and the planned delivery of the first SSN(X) will be four decades. She said one of her concerns is holding onto the engineering and design expertise in the shipbuilding industrial base for the SSN(X) program. 

The Virginia-class SSN program will total 48 boats. The technological improvements over the seven blocks of the Virginia SSN will help to reduce risk for the SSN(X) program. 

Radocha said her focus is creating an “on-ramp” for the SSN(X) program over the next two fiscal years.  

Last August, during the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Expo, Rear Adm. (now Vice Adm.) Bill Houston, then-director, Undersea Warfare, Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and now commander, Submarine Forces, labeled the SSN(X) as “the ultimate apex predator for the maritime domain.” 

Houston said the SSN(X) has “got to be faster, carry a significant punch, a bigger payload, a larger salvo rate. It’s got to have acoustic superiority and simultaneously we’re going to work on operational availability with respect to maintenance and life of the ship.” 

The admiral explained that the SSN(X) is timed to capitalize on the ‘very robust” design team for the Columbia-class SSBN when that program is ramping down amid production of the SSBNs. 

INDONESIA — The Indonesian navy commissioned its first stealth trimaran fast attack craft, KRI Golok (688), at Surabaya on the island of Java on Jan. 14. The ship was built by PT Lundin at Banyuwangi, on Java’s eastern tip, from composite fiber materials.

The commissioning ceremony took place at the naval base in Surabaya, East Java. Also commissioned at the ceremony was the lead ship in a new class of hospital ships KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo (991),

Speaking at the ceremony, Adm. Yudo Morgono, chief of the Indonesian navy, said, “This type of ship is not only important to support naval operations as part of the task force and the navy fleet, but is a tangible manifestation of the navy’s commitment to modernizing defense equipment in humanitarian operations.”

The term “golok” refers to a cutting took, similar to a machete, which can serve as a tool or weapon.  During the naming ceremony last August, Margono said the composite material offers high strength, light weight, excellent fatigue resistance and is virtually corrosion free. The Indonesian navy sees the trimaran design and material as a prototype development purposes.

“With its high speed and high destructive power, it is hoped that this ship will be able to carry out the hit and run fast missile boat tactic,” Margono said.

The ship has not yet been fitted with weapons, but is able to mount a gun up to 76mm and can carry up to eight antiship missiles, such as the RBS 15, Naval Strike Missile, Harpoon or Exocet.

According to a video prepared by PT Lundin, the ship has greatly reduced radar, infrared, acoustic and magnetic signatures. The weapons and RHIB are concealed inside the structure or discretely shaped to maintain stealth.

PT Lundin said the composite and carbon fiber foam-sandwich material — fabricated with fire-resistant vinyl ester resin — creates a structure that is much lighter than steel or aluminum, resin but has similar fire-resistance and ballistics protection properties and superior protection from blast and underwater explosions.

According to an Indonesian navy statement, the fast attack craft has an overall length of 205 feet (62.53 meters); a 52.5-foot (16 meter) beam; a 61-foot mast height (18.7 meters), and a current displacement of 245 tons. The ship will be heavier after the installation of weapons. The trimaran can achieve speeds up to 30 knots, and can cruise at 16 knots for 2,000 nautical miles. The ship and its 25-person crew will have an endurance of 40 days. Additional personnel, such as special forces or a humanitarian assistance landing party can also be carried.

The wave-piercing trimaran can cut through waves instead of ride over them, maintain higher speeds and heavier sea states.  An enclosed hangar on the stern can carry a 12-meter RHIB.

The trimaran, with four water jets, is well suited for Indonesia’s archipelagic operations. The FAC is extremely maneuverable, has a shallow draft and can literally back up onto a beach — where its radar signature becomes indistinguishable from the land — waiting for targets to engage.

Golok is powered by four 1800 HP MAN V12 diesel engines, each connected to a Marine Jet Power 550 waterjets. In a company video, PT Lundin refers to the trimaran as the “ultimate in high-speed missile boats.”

WASHINGTON — Marines from Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) conducted an operational test and evaluation of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile from an AH-1Z Viper, Dec. 6, 2021, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, the Marine Corps said in a Jan. 31 release.  

VMX-1 continues testing and analyzing the capabilities of the JAGM on land targets after they evaluated the effectiveness of the missile on maritime targets in November 2021 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.   

Personnel from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21), Naval Air Systems Command Direct and Time Sensitive Strike program office (PMA-242), Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, as well as industry partners were on location to observe and analyze the data from the test event. This event can lead to significant improvements in lethality of attack helicopters by arming them with newer munitions equipped with two sensor technologies and optimizes missile performance on land targets.    

“I am proud of all the work and professionalism demonstrated by the joint team striving to hit major milestones of the JAGM initial operational test and evaluation,” said VMX-1 Commanding Officer Col. Byron Sullivan. “The analysts, coordinators, and controllers meticulously pour over all the data captured so this weapon system can bring the necessary firepower to the warfighter.” 

The team observed the test of eight separate shots against armored and light armored vehicles in a variety of operational scenarios. Ultimately, the data collected is analyzed to determine overall system effectiveness and refine the tactics, techniques and procedures of employing this weapon in expeditionary advanced base operations, such as strike operations and close air support.   

“Watching the joint team perform the JAGM test is like observing a highly-skilled professional football team with seasoned offensive coordinators calling the right plays for an offense that flawlessly executes play after play,” said Maj. Thomas Hutson, the Assault Support department head at VMX-1 and member of the JAGM test team. 

This test is part of a larger effort to upgrade the AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft, in alignment with the Commandant’s vision of force modernization to maintain a competitive edge against potential adversaries.    

The mission of VMX-1 is to conduct operational test and evaluation of Marine Corps aviation platforms and systems. 

WASHINGTON — The keel for the future USS Harrisburg (LPD 30), the Navy’s 14th San Antonio class-amphibious transport dock ship and the first Flight II ship, was laid at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding, Jan. 28, Team Ships Public Affairs said in a release. 

A keel laying is the recognition of the start of a ship’s construction. It is the joining together of a ship’s modular components and the authentication or etching of an honoree’s initials into a ceremonial keel plate. The ship’s sponsor, Alexandra Curry, wife of Middletown, Pennsylvania, Mayor Jim Curry, had her initials etched into the keel plate by HII welders. 

“LPD 30 marks the beginning of the LPD Flight II builds and the continuation of the superb capability that the San Antonio Class platform has brought to the Navy–Marine Corps team,” said Cedric McNeal, program manager, Amphibious Warfare Program Office, Program Executive Office Ships. “With its flexibility and adaptability, LPD Flight II ships are essential to projecting power and delivering the combat capability needed to shape the future fleet.” 

The city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and her surrounding region play a central role in our national defense infrastructure, hosting a myriad of defense logistics and naval supply support activities that bring support and sustenance to our Navy’s fleet and our forward deployed Sailors and Marines. This is the second U.S. Navy ship to be named after the city of Harrisburg. The first was a troopship acquired during World War I. 

The LPD Flight II ships will be the functional replacement for the Whidbey Island-class (LSD 41/49) dock landing ships. The San Antonio-class is designed to support embarking, transporting, and landing Marines and their equipment by conventional or air-cushioned landing craft. The ship’s capabilities are further enhanced by its flight deck and hangar, enabling the ship to operate a variety of Marine Corps helicopters and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Because of the ships inherent capabilities, they are able to support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations, expeditionary warfare, or disaster relief missions, operating independently or as part of amphibious ready groups, expeditionary strike groups, or joint task forces. 

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Division is currently in production of the future USS Richard S. McCool (LPD 29) and the future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 29). LPD 28 and 29 will serve as transition ships to LPD 30. 

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Waesche returned to homeport in Alameda Jan. 29 following a 77-day Bering Sea patrol, during which the cutter and crew served as the ready asset for homeland defense and search and rescue, supporting the $5.9 billion commercial fishing industry. 

This was the Waesche’s first deployment since a major machinery space fire left the cutter at the pier for 10 months for dockside repairs and planned system upgrades. 

The Waesche provided presence amongst Bering Sea fishing fleets and enforced compliance with applicable fisheries regulations, monitored the U.S.-Russian Maritime Boundary Line, and conducted rigorous training exercises. Augmenting the cutter’s own capabilities were an embarked MH-65 helicopter and aviation detachment from Air Station Kodiak, as well as a ScanEagle drone. The helicopter supported two medical evacuations from a remote town in the Aleutian Islands. 

The cutter and crew traveled more than 12,000 miles since departing Alameda Nov. 13, spanning the U.S. West Coast, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. Members honed essential competencies through extensive damage control drills, helicopter operations, major and minor caliber gunnery exercises, and small boat operations. 

The drills culminated in the Tailored Ship’s Training Availability in San Diego. There, crewmembers demonstrated their knowledge and abilities while being evaluated by the Coast Guard’s Afloat Training Organization. For many members of the crew, their skills are not only rooted in the significant training conducted aboard over the course of the deployment, but also from experience gained while combatting actual damage sustained during the Waesche’s machinery space fire. 

Supplementing the Waesche’s extensive suite of military communications was a prototype underway Wi-Fi network added prior to this patrol and championed by the Sea Duty Readiness Council and the Office of Cutter Forces. 

“The addition of Wi-Fi underway has been a game changer for family connectivity, where crew members are able to easily text or call home and participate in major life events such as buying a home or being there on video Christmas morning as kids open presents,” said Commanding Officer Capt. Jason Ryan.