Release from Northrop Grumman 

***** 

SAN DIEGO – Sept. 14, 2023 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft achieved a declaration of initial operating capability (IOC) by the U.S. Navy.   

• MQ-4C Triton is the U.S. Navy’s only uncrewed, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft performing persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting. The U.S. Navy recently announced IOC for Triton. 
• Since achieving early operational capability in May 2020, the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet employed Triton in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility conducting maritime and reconnaissance missions. 
• Northrop Grumman has delivered five multi-intelligence Triton aircraft to the U.S. Navy, with the latest delivered June 2023. 

Experts: 

Rho Cauley Bruner, director, Triton program, Northrop Grumman: “Triton has proven to be invaluable for the maritime patrol and reconnaissance mission in the Indo-Pacific. Now that the system has achieved initial operating capability, commanders will be able to fully leverage Triton’s powerful sensor suite to detect and deter potential adversaries around the world.” 

Capt. Josh Guerre, Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems program manager, U.S. Navy: “Persistent global maritime awareness is central to deterring, or competing and winning against, our adversaries. Triton ensures we’re making informed decisions and effectively operating anywhere in the world.” 

Details on MQ-4C Triton:  

Built for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force, the multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton supports a wide range of missions including maritime patrol, signals intelligence, search and rescue and communications relay. These aircraft provide commanders with persistent surveillance for the prediction of an adversary’s behavior and enabling better planning, greatly enhancing joint military responses and operations. 

With an operating altitude greater than 50,000 feet and endurance of 24 hours, Triton provides continuous communications relay to keep a distributed Navy connected, while ensuring commanders are operating off a common operational picture. Its unparalleled, long-range sensors allow it to detect, classify and track maritime targets well outside the detection of enemy ships and surface-to-air missiles. 

In one 24-hour mission, Triton can survey four million nautical miles.  

Release from U.S. Fourth Fleet 

***** 

KEY WEST, Florida – Launched from Naval Air Station Key West’s Mole Pier and Truman Harbor, the Saildrones’ mission once on station is to improve maritime domain awareness, or MDA, by detecting and quantifying targets that pass within range of the Saildrones’ sensors. 
 
Operation Windward Stack is a long-term operation of unmanned and manned forces working together, also known as a hybrid fleet, as envisioned by the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. Windward Stack is part of 4th Fleet’s unmanned integration campaign, which provides the Navy a region to experiment with and operate unmanned systems in a permissive environment, develop Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) against near-peer competitors, and refine manned and unmanned Command and Control (C2) infrastructure, all designed to move the Navy to the hybrid fleet. 
 
First, operators and watchstanders at U.S. 4th Fleet will conduct tests and coordinate information flow as the solar-powered Saildrones sail into the Caribbean. “Operation Windward Stack begins with testing as we integrate the information we receive from the Saildrones into our fleet command center to further increase maritime domain awareness in the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility (AOR),” said Lt. Cmdr. John Clark, U.S. 4th Fleet’s Current Operations (COPS) Director. “We will eventually have the opportunity to work through the command and control of both manned and unmanned forces operating throughout our region.” 
 
The 10 Saildrones will serve as the initial unmanned vessels in the operation. Plans are to add additional USVs, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned maritime forces over the next few months to further challenge C2 integration and to expand the MDA coverage. 
 
“We were able to demonstrate coordinated operations of manned and unmanned forces during UNITAS LXIV, a multinational maritime exercise, but that was for a relatively short time,” said Capt. David Fowler, U.S. 4th Fleet Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Director. “With Windward Stack, we’re going to coordinate these operations for many months. That is how we will truly learn what these unmanned vessels can do for us on a day-to-day basis.” 
 
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports USSOUTHCOM’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region

Release from HII 

***** 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Sept. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division recently hosted its first-ever hiring event focused exclusively on teenagers aging out of the foster care system. 

Wednesday’s hiring event, held in Virginia Beach, was a collaboration between NNS and Connect With a Wish, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, that connects children in foster care with resources and support. 

“This is a great example of our intentional investments with external partners to ensure we reach the diverse workforce necessary to meet our hiring goals,” said Xavier Beale, NNS vice president of human resources and trades. “We appreciate the partnership with Connect With a Wish, and we look forward to welcoming our newest shipbuilders as they join our powerful national security mission at NNS.” 

“Community support is critical to our success at Connect With a Wish,” said president and founder Joy Rios. “We’re grateful with the partnership of Newport News Shipbuilding and Delegate Tata as we advance our mission to help these children grow into positive and productive members of our community.” 

Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-newport-news-shipbuilding-hiring-connect-with-a-wish-2023. 

“Making sure we connect foster children to the resources necessary to thrive as adults is a cause near and dear to my heart,” said Anne Ferrell Tata, board member of national foster care nonprofit iFoster and member of the Virginia House of Delegates whose district includes a portion of Virginia Beach. “I’m thankful for the incredible work Connect With a Wish does and for the support from Newport News Shipbuilding to ensure these young adults have an opportunity to build rewarding careers serving our national security.” 

NNS is on track to hire approximately 3,000 skilled trade positions by the end of this year to meet the Navy’s shipbuilding needs and anticipates hiring nearly 19,000 people within the next decade as it continues its support of the Navy’s mission. The shipyard is the nation’s sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines. 

To learn more about career opportunities at HII, visit https://hii.com/careers/. 

To learn more about Connect With a Wish, visit https://www.connectwithawish.org/. 

Release from Crowley and SEACOR 

***** 

(JACKSONVILLE & FORT LAUDERDALE Fla.; Sept. 13, 2023) – Global maritime and logistics leaders Crowley and SEACOR Holdings (“SEACOR”), through its subsidiary Seabulk Tankers, Inc.(“ Seabulk”), today announced an agreement to form a joint venture that will integrate their liquid energy and chemical transportation vessels, operations and related services into a new, independent U.S. Jones Act service provider, Fairwater Holdings LLC (“Fairwater”).  

Fairwater will leverage and scale both entities’ unique operational and safety-focused capabilities to serve the U.S. domestic market with vessels and marine transportation solutions across the petroleum and chemical trades, as well as related third-party ship management services. It will include 20 ocean-going, articulated tug-barges and 11 tankers, many under long-term charter. The joint venture will provide crewing and technical management for an additional 21 third-party owned vessels. 

Daniel Thorogood, CEO of Seabulk, will assume the CEO role at Fairwater at closing. The joint venture will be based in Fort Lauderdale with offices in Fairfield, Conn.; Houston, Jacksonville and Seattle.  

“Fairwater marks an important milestone in meeting the evolving needs for safe, efficient and sustainable U.S. domestic maritime transportation solutions,” said Thorogood. “I am honored to take the helm alongside highly experienced seagoing and shoreside team members and provide our customers and the communities we serve with a maritime transportation provider whose values and performance will set the industry standard.”   

“Through this new joint venture, Fairwater will create more value for customers. Seabulk is an ideal and complementary partner with proven expertise in providing safe, sustainable and reliable maritime results and in driving innovation, much like Crowley,” said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO of Crowley. “The new company will not only be a historic moment for Crowley and SEACOR, but it will also align with our continuing growth strategy with solutions for customers and partners that deliver clear benefits for today and promise to advance tomorrow.”     

“Fairwater provides an exciting path for continued growth and investment benefiting our exceptional talent pool, our customers and this essential industry at large,” said Eric Fabrikant, CEO of SEACOR. “We welcome the opportunity to partner with Tom and the entire Crowley organization and look forward to jointly supporting this new venture ensuring seamless service during this transitional time and beyond.”    

Through a shared commitment to deliver on and exceed the needs of the day, the new company will offer a unified, seamless transition for customers and partners to continue the reliable, uninterrupted support for their energy supply chain and related activities. In the coming months, both companies will complete activities to support the integration of the assets and services into the new entity.   

The joint venture transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024 and begin operations following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.  

Vinson & Elkins LLP acted as legal advisor to Crowley. Milbank LLP and Watson Farley & Williams LLP acted as legal advisors to SEACOR. 

Release from Austal USA

MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA received an order for the manufacture and outfitting of three electronic deck modules for the Virginia-class submarine program. The order, valued at $10.6 million, was issued by prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat. Construction will begin in fall 2023 and the modules are scheduled to be delivered to Electric Boat by the middle of 2025. 

The construction of these modules is the result of the strategic partnership formed in 2022 between Austal USA and Electric Boat, supported by the U.S. Navy, to take a strategic sourcing approach to expanding the production capacity of the submarine industrial base.  As part of the partnership, Austal USA is constructing and outfitting Command and Control Systems Modules (CCSM) and Electronic Deck Modules (EDM) for the Virginia- and Columbia-class programs. 

“This order signifies the confidence Electric Boat and the Navy have in Austal’s talented workforce to maintain a steady production line building quality modules on time and on budget,” said Austal USA Vice President of New Construction Programs Dave Growden. “We are excited to play an important role in the submarine industrial base and about being part of a program critical to our Nation’s security.” 

Austal USA has continued to expand its facilities and workforce to support the growing demand of the submarine industrial base.  The order for the three modules follows an initial order for a CCSM in February 2023.  

Release from Austal USA 

***** 

Sep 12, 2023 

Austal USA Awarded US$91.5 m LCU Contract by US Navy 

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX: ASB) is pleased to announce Austal USA has been awarded a US$91,535,551 (AU$143.4 million) fixed-price incentive and firm-fixed-price type contract for the construction of three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 class craft. 

The contract follows a previous contract for the detail design of the vessels and includes options for manufacture of an additional nine vessels and associated support arrangements. 

The steel hull LCU 1700-class possess heavy-lift capability with 170 ton payload capacity, and will be deployed with the Navy’s amphibious assault ships to support a range of military operations including the delivery of tracked and/or wheeled vehicles, troops and cargo from ship to shore, shore to shore and back to ship. 

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the new contract reinforces Austal USA’s position as a critical capability partner to the United States Navy and further diversified the company’s steel shipbuilding portfolio. 

“The LCU are an essential capability of the US Navy, and we’re proud to be contributing to this important shipbuilding program with up to 12 vessels to be constructed,” he said. 

“Austal USA continues to diversify its product portfolio, with production continuing on two Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) and the 8,500sq metre Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM) on the company’s state-of-the-art steel line. Austal USA also holds multiple ship contracts for the Navy’s TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship, and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) programs.” 

The LCU 1700-class has a roll-on / roll-off monohull configuration, with hydraulically controlled bow and stern ramps that allow multiple vessels to connect and form a causeway for fast and secure unloading and loading. The craft are designed to be transported within, and load/unload from the well decks of amphibious assault ships, carrying loads up to 3.5 metres high, above the vessel’s vehicle deck. With a crew of 13, each vessel can conduct independent open ocean Page 2 of 3 transits or operations at sea with a range of 1,200 nautical miles (at 8kn) and a top speed of 11 knots. 

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer. 

Release from Naval Sea Systems Command 

***** 

Sept. 8, 2023 

Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Engineers at the Naval Sea Systems Command have achieved an important milestone with the installation of the Global Energy Information System (GENISYS) suite onboard DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. 

The GENISYS suite includes a Shipboard Energy Assessment System (SEAS) and digital log books (eLogBook) to link fuel consumption, mission, and environmental data to provide operators afloat and ashore an integrated platform from which they can monitor and manage energy consumption across the Fleet.

“One of our main priorities at NAVSEA is digital transformation so that we can provide the best level of support to the Fleet,” said Peter McCauley, NAVSEA technical warrant holder for machinery integration and program manager for fleet energy management. “This initiative is a great example of how we are harnessing feedback from our Fleet commanders, leveraging innovation from the Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research Program, and linking it to other applications such as condition-based maintenance to drive a greater understanding of our onboard equipment to optimize operational excellence.” 

The Shipboard Energy Assessment System integrates sensors and other sources of energy-related data from human and equipment performance trends to produce a real-time operational data model. The model then serves a command and control function as it delivers recommendations to inform operator actions pertaining to energy usage and availability. 

The eLogBook provides Sailors with a smart logging capability for the bridge deck log, engineering log, daily fuel and water log to automate data collection directly into the Navy Energy Usage Reporting System. Combined with SEAS, data aggregation and reporting is significantly enhanced providing greater mission presence and awareness, operational decision-making, and more effective prioritization of energy investments. 

“We now have the capability to align shipboard energy consumption against mission data at multiple levels, including individual ship, operational commander, homeport, ship class, or by the assigned Fleet,” said Capt. Megan Thomas, Naval Surface Force Atlantic’s force materiel officer. 

Following rigorous field-testing earlier this year, both systems are now being installed on DDG 51 class destroyers where they will undergo testing and crew training before becoming operational later this year. Installation of the system onboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships is planned to commence in 2024. 

NAVSEA is the largest of the Navy’s six system commands, responsible for the building, buying, maintaining, and inactivation of ships, submarines and systems for the U.S. Navy. The Naval Systems Engineering and Logistics Directorate (SEA 05) manages the engineering and scientific expertise, knowledge and technical authority necessary to design, build, maintain, repair, modernize, certify and dispose of the Navy’s ships, aircraft carriers, submarines and associated combat and weapons systems. 

Release from Kongsberg 

***** 

The Promas propeller and rudder system delivers increased fuel efficiency, better manoeuvrability and extended range for naval platforms 

DSEI 2023, 12th September 2023 – Kongsberg Maritime has concluded a research programme that shows its Promas propeller and rudder system can deliver a host of benefits for naval platforms including significant fuel savings, greater range and improved manoeuvrability.  

Originally designed for commercial ships, Promas combines rudder and propeller into one propulsion system. Most naval twin-screw vessels use conventional rudders placed off-centre from the shaft centreline. Promas can deliver fuel savings of more than 5% which can translate into increased range, boosting the capability of naval platforms. 

The research, carried out by Kongsberg’s Hydrodynamic Research Centre (HRC), has shown that naval vessels relying on traditional rudder and propeller systems can increase their efficiency and manoeuvrability with the adoption of the Promas propeller and rudder system.  

The HRC tested and compared the Promas bulb-rudder system, and the conventional off-centre rudder system used by navies on a typical naval aft ship dummy design. The dummy design consisted of an open shaft configuration with V-bracket and high shaft inclination angle to produce a typical wake field for a naval twin screw vessel.  

The tests compared propulsive efficiency, rudder forces, cavitation inception speed, cavitation, pressure pulses, and noise levels between Promas and conventional navy propulsion for ship speeds up to 25 knots. At 25 knots, the Promas system reduced power consumption by 6%. The rudder forces with Promas are also much higher. The system demonstrated less drag at small rudder angles and a higher lift at larger angles than a conventional navy system. This improves slow speed and harbour manoeuvring. 

Patrik Kron, Kongsberg Maritime’s Chief of Naval Systems, said: “We’ve known for many years how Promas brings a quick improvement in efficiency for commercial operators, and this latest research demonstrates how these benefits can be offered to our governmental customers.  

“By being able to demonstrate an improved efficiency of around 6%, for navies, this means their vessels are able to extend their range, something which can be crucial on longer missions.  

“We know there is a large market for grey and light grey ships operating up to 25 knots, so our initial research has focussed on that speed range, but we’re continuing our research to consider how Promas could enhance the operational capability of combatants which operate at up to 30 knots”. 

Release from Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium 

***** 

— 

Academic Institutions in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States  

are Invited to Participate 

The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) has announced the first UTIC Challenge. The inaugural challenge calls on academic institutions to propose innovative workforce development strategies in the undersea technology sector/field.  

The challenge is open to teams from academic institutions located in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States and is designed to promote continued collaboration among the three nations participating in the AUKUS agreement. 

In 2021, the AUKUS agreement established a tri-lateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The agreement promotes information and technology sharing and fosters integration of related undersea technology science and technology, industrial bases, and supply chains.  

“The partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States is an opportunity to share both physical resources and intellectual capital to improve security and trilateral ties. Maintaining long-term growth and innovation within AUKUS will require developing the future workforce. Industry and academia will need to partner to build a solid foundation for the next generation of innovators and manufacturers,” stated U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. 

Participating teams will choose one of two categories for their response to the inaugural challenge. Based on their choice, teams will submit a position paper outlining their approach and strategy. The two categories are: 

Strengthening the training environment for current/future technologists who develop critical undersea technology.  

Strengthening the training environment for manufacturing professionals who build and support undersea technology applications.  

UTIC will choose at least one winning team per category. Each winning team will receive a $15,000 award to be used for related scholarships or similar academic program investments, and their submission will be published and recognized on underseatech.org. 

“UTIC looks forward to collaborating with academic innovators to foster sustainable growth in the undersea technology workforce. AUKUS countries continually cultivate forward thinking, creative maritime defense professionals, and the goal of the UTIC Challenge is to expand upon this tradition,” said Molly Donohue Magee, UTIC executive director. 

Timing for the challenge is:  

Launch and Expressions of Interest – September 2023 

Questions and Answers/ Submissions – October – December 2023 

Judging – December 2023 – January 2024 

Winner Notification – February – March 2024 

For more information about the UTIC Challenge program, please visit Underseatech.org/challenge, or contact UTIC at [email protected]. 

Release from Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two 

***** 

11 September 2023 

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT (Sept. 8, 2023) – Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) was decommissioned in Mayport, Fla., September 8. 

As an operational unit, Milwaukee and its crew played an important role in the defense of our nation and maritime freedom. Milwaukee and its Sailors were key to determine the operational success and deployment capabilities of today’s LCS platform. 
 
During the ceremony guest speaker, Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink (USN, Ret), former chairman of Milwaukee’s commissioning committee wished the crew of Milwaukee fair winds and following seas as they bid farewell to their ship. 
 
“We are all very proud of the way this ship served our Navy and our nation since that cold day in November 2015.” said Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink (USN, Ret), former chairman of Milwaukee’s commissioning committee. “She was the first true serial production ship of the Freedom Class, having incorporated literally hundreds of changes, lessons learned from Freedom and Fort Worth.” 
 
Milwaukee and its Sailors contributed a tremendous amount of work and time to ensure success of the LCS program during the ship’s time in naval service. Milwaukee completed two successful deployments in April 2022 and June 2023. The ship deployed to U.S. Fourth Fleet and integrated with the embarked US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), other US warships, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and SOUTHCOM/JIATF-S. During their second deployment, Milwaukee and her embarked LEDETs, seized an estimated $30 million in suspected cocaine and three detainees during interdictions as sea, preventing 954kgs of cocaine from entering the United States. She also transported six detainees and case packages on behalf of USCGC BEAR in support of the counter-narcotic/interdiction mission. While deployed, Milwaukee provided maritime security presence enabling the free flow of commerce in key corridors of trade. 
 
“Throughout the life of the ship, the Sailors that sailed Milwaukee led the way in training and operations that led to fleet improvements and culminated with operational success that supported national security objectives and demonstrated U.S. commitment to our allies.” said Cmdr. Jason Knox, Milwaukee’s commanding officer. “Not only can her Sailors be proud of their distinctive accomplishments, but the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin can be proud of their ship, too.” 
 
Milwaukee was designed by Lockheed Martin and constructed by Marinette Marine Corporation (Fincantieri) Marinette, Wisconsin, Milwaukee was commissioned November 21, 2015, in Lake Michigan at Milwaukee’s Veteran’s Park. Mrs. Sylvia Panetta, wife of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, served as the ship’s sponsor. 
 
USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) is the fifth United States Navy Warship named after the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The ship represents the proud people of the Milwaukee community. Upon decommissioning, Milwaukee’s Sailors will receive follow-on orders to new assignments. 
 
LCS are fast, agile, mission-focused platforms designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS are versatile and are capable to support a broad spectrum of fleet missions and operate alongside regional navies and coast guards while supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. 
 
For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two, visit https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/lcsron2/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/comlcsron2/