ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s top officer said Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers will be the first U.S. Navy ships to be armed with hypersonic missiles. 

“With respect to our research and development budget, hypersonics is our top priority, so we are working closely with the Marine Corps, with the Army, and with the Air Force to reach a capability that we can deliver to the fleet in 2025,” said Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, testifying April 29 before the defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.  

“We intend to do that on the latest and greatest destroyers we have, the Zumwalt-class destroyer,” Gilday said. “Our intent is to first put the weapon on those destroyers and then on our Virginia-class Block 5 submarines. Right now, our projection is that capability will be on our submarines by 2028.” 

As recently as November, Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, director of Strategic Systems Programs, said the plan was to deploy the Conventional Prompt Strike (CSP) capability hypersonic missiles first on the four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) 

The CSP will be deployed by the U.S. Army first in 2023. Wolfe said the Initial Unit Training of Army units without the All-Up Round will begin in 2021. A canister hot-launch operational demonstration is planned for 2022. Delivery of the Army’s prototype truck-hauled delivery system is scheduled for 2023. The delivery of the All-Up Round — including the hypersonic glide body — is planned for 2024.   

Gilday said a hypersonic weapon was successfully tested last year with the Army, being fired thousands of miles at very high speed and with very high precision. 

“We’re very excited about the path we are on right now in hypersonics,” he said. “We’re very confident of the delivery timeline.” 

ASHBURN, Va. – April 28, 2021 – Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division, a supplier of rugged avionics solutions, today announced that it was selected by Scientific Research Corp. (SRC) to provide a version of its Fortress flight recorder system to upgrade the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force and Navy, Curtiss-Wright said in an April 28 release.  

Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright is providing SRC with a new variant of the Fortress CVR25, developed for use on military fixed wing and rotorcraft airborne platforms. The Fortress CVR25 combines a CVR, FDR, integrated data acquisition, and an independent power supply in a single lightweight, compact unit. The Fortress recorder’s ability to acquire additional data as customer needs evolve has helped further establish Curtiss-Wright as one of the leading suppliers of modern flight data recorders. Under the contract, shipments began in the first quarter of 2021 and are scheduled to continue through the first half of 2023. 

“We are very proud to have been selected by Scientific Research Corporation to provide our innovative Fortress cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to upgrade the important T-6 Texan II trainer used by the U.S. Air Force and Navy,” said Chris Wiltsey, senior vice president and general manager, Defense Solutions. “SRC and Curtiss Wright intend to further explore other flight recorder applications within the DoD where our unique experience can assist in liberating the benefits of modern-day flight recorder technology for the military aircraft market.” 

WASHINGTON – Several U.S. Senators and Representatives introduced the Supplying Help to Infrastructure in Ports, Yards, and America’s Repair Docks (SHIPYARD) Act of 2021, which would provide $25 billion to make investments needed to optimize, improve, and rebuild shipyard facilities, electrical infrastructure, environmental systems, and the equipment of public and private shipyards in the U.S. that support the U.S. Navy fleet. 

Introducing the bill were Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi; Tim Kaine, D-Virginia; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Angus King, I-Maine; and Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, along with Reps. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, and Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin. 

The act would designate $21 billion for the Navy’s four public shipyards in Virginia, Maine, Hawaii, and Washington, $2 billion for major Navy private new construction shipyards, and $2 billion for Navy private repair shipyards. 

“As lawmakers consider ways to improve our nation’s infrastructure, the facilities that support our Navy fleet should be a part of the conversation,” Wicker said. “Congress has already taken the important step of committing to a larger Navy, but our shipyards are having trouble servicing today’s 296-ship fleet and are clearly insufficient to maintain the 355-ship or larger fleet we need to counter China, Russia, and other adversaries. Now is the time to provide our Navy leaders the support they need to grow and preserve our fleet for generations to come.” 

“Virginia’s public and private shipyards are crucial to strengthening our national security,” said Kaine. “This legislation would ensure that our sailors, shipbuilders, and ship repairers have the most up-to-date tools, equipment, and facilities to ensure our Navy remains ready to protect our nation.” 

“The importance of our naval assets to our national security and global stability has never been greater, which is why it is so critical that our defense industrial base has the capacity to build and maintain a larger fleet,” said Collins. “If we are serious about the United States competing against and deterring China, we have to consider our vital defense infrastructure. For example, the Navy has specifically identified a critical lack of dry dock capacity at our nation’s four public shipyards. I have long advocated for modernization of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Bath Iron Works in Maine to help the highly skilled employees continue to successfully carry out their essential missions in modern, streamlined facilities.  Our bipartisan legislation would support infrastructure improvements at shipyards across the country to help reduce maintenance backlogs, increase safety and efficiency, and accommodate growth to counter China’s growing naval ambitions. As a member of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to advocate for infrastructure projects at shipyards to keep our Navy strong.” 

“Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Bath Iron Works play critical roles in both our nation’s national defense and Maine’s economy,” said King. “The contributions of these yards are absolutely essential to the Navy’s ability to operate and create thousands of good-paying jobs across Maine, both on-site and with contractors who provide additional support. As the Navy seeks to grow its fleet to address an array of challenges across the globe, and the associated maintenance requirements continue to expand, it is absolutely essential that we provide these shipyards with the modern tools and technologies they need to meet growing demand. This bipartisan legislation will make much-needed investments in a critical part of our national security infrastructure — including adaptations to prepare for the potential impacts of climate change — ensuring that these storied yards will be able to continue to fulfill their important duties for decades to come.” 

“The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is an economic engine of New Hampshire’s Seacoast region and brings immense pride to our state by bolstering its role in support of our national defense. The oldest, continually operating shipyard in the nation, the stability and security of PNSY and its workers are of critical importance,” said Shaheen. “That’s why I’m glad to partner with Senator Wicker and this bipartisan group of lawmakers on this legislation to make robust federal investments in the facilities, infrastructure and equipment at shipyards across the country, including New Hampshire. Modernizing the structures and capabilities of our shipyards is crucial for both our military readiness and our local economies, which is why I urge members on both sides of the aisle to join us in this effort.” 

“At a time when China is commissioning three ships in a single day, we desperately need to strengthen the American shipbuilding industrial base to expand, support, and service the fleet,” said Rep. Gallagher. “The bipartisan, bicameral SHIPYARD Act makes critical investments to better ensure shipyards across the country, such as Marinette Marine, can build the Navy the nation needs.” 

The legislation would help to address a backlog of modernization, maintenance, and expansion projects the U.S. Navy has identified at public shipyards and provide the Navy flexibility to support capital improvement projects and other investments at yards that are critical to maintaining and growing the fleet. Projects identified by the Secretary of the Navy would include improvements to shipyard infrastructure, construction of new dry docks, and other items to enable these shipyards to keep pace with Navy needs for decades to come. 

Among other provisions, the legislation would: 

Fully fund the Navy’s $21 billion Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) at the nation’s four public shipyards in Portsmouth, Virginia, Kittery, Maine, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Bremerton, Washington. 

Invest $2 billion in commercial repair shipyards, subcontractors and suppliers that maintain the U.S. Navy fleet, allowing the Secretary of the Navy to fund key upgrades and infrastructure modernization projects to address current and future maintenance needs.  

Invest $2 billion in commercial new construction shipyards, subcontractors and suppliers that build the U.S. Navy fleet, allowing the Secretary of the Navy to fund key upgrades and infrastructure modernization projects to meet current and future Navy capability and capacity needs.  

Provide all funds via the Defense Production Act, removing typical fiscal year constraints on appropriations and increasing flexibility to enable the Secretary of the Navy to accelerate contract awards. 

Click here to read a white paper on the legislation and here to read the full legislative text. 

STOCKHOLM — Saab has been awarded a second Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for three of its AN/SPN-50(V)1 radar systems for the U.S. Navy’s Shipboard Air Traffic Radar program, the company said in an April 28 release. The order value for the LRIP Phase Two contract is $37.1 million USD, with the first delivery scheduled for 2022. Radar manufacturing, delivery, test, and integration will take place at Saab’s Syracuse, New York facilities. 

The AN/SPN-50(V)1 radar system, which is one of the U.S. versions of Saab’s Sea Giraffe Agile Multi Beam radar, will function as the primary air traffic control surveillance radar for manned and unmanned aviation aboard the Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and amphibious large decks. 

“By leveraging Saab’s radar technology already in operational service with the U.S. Navy, the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office and Saab is addressing shipboard air traffic control capability to ensure readiness and cost-efficiency,” said Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab in the United States. 

Delivery of the Navy’s advanced air traffic control and landing capability is overseen by the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office. In cooperation with Saab, they are responsible for the radar system’s acquisition, deployment, and through life sustainment while in service within the U.S. Navy fleet. 

The Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) ”Old Tar” designation, honoring the U.S. Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) serving on active duty with the earliest qualification date, has passed to Fleet Master Chief Bill Smalts. Smalts is currently assigned as the Fleet Master Chief, Commander, United States 2nd Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia.

Smalts is now the 14^th individual to receive the Old Tar honor having relieved Force Master Chief David B. Carter, who has recently retired.

“This award is a recognition of the leadership, experience and expertise possessed by a knowledgeable mariner. Master Chief Smalts is such a Sailor and has earned the title an ‘Old Tar,” said Vice Adm. Rick Hunt, U.S. Navy (retired), president of SNA. “This award acknowledges our lore, customs and traditions, and honors the most senior of all our active duty Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists with the ‘Old Tar’ designation.”

Smalts completed his qualification as an E3 aboard the USS L.Y. SPEAR (AS 36) but was not allowed to be pinned until he was a Third Class Petty Officer on Oct. 18, 1990.

The term comes from the days of sail and wooden ships, when Sailors would board enemy ships in battle and engage in hand to hand combat. Since long hair was the fashion of the era, they would often wear it tied in a knot at the base of the neck. Before entering battle, they would dip this knot in tar that would soon harden and protect their necks from blows from behind. Sailors, therefore, became known as “tars,” and an “Old Tar” was clearly one honored and respected for his knowledge, wisdom, and long experience at sea.

The honor is accompanied by a replica of “The Chief” statue that stands at the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island, with all the names of the “Old Tars.” In a ceremony held at the awardees’ command, a miniature replica of the statue was presented to CMDCM Smalts to display at his command and will be permanently retained by him upon retirement.

SNA also recognizes the “Old Salt” award to honor the Surface Warfare Officer with the earliest date of receiving the coveted warfare qualification.

AN DIEGO — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) participated in U.S. Pacific Fleet’s (PACFLT) Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem ‘21 (UxS IBP 21), April 21-26, 2021, the company said in an April 28 release.

The UxS IBP 21 integrated manned and unmanned capabilities into the most challenging operational scenarios to generate war fighting advantages. The exercise aimed to directly inform warfighters, warfare centers, and developers to further incorporate unmanned capabilities in day-to-day Fleet operations and battle plans.

During UxS IBP 21, a GA-ASI MQ-9A Block 5 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) acted as a surrogate for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian and was able to demonstrate for the first time: successful Link connectivity with U.S. Navy surface ships and aircraft; cooperative anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, to include the first successful high-altitude sonobuoy drop from a UAS; Automatic Identification System (AIS) correlation with a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon and MH-60R Seahawk; exchange of Link 16 data over Global Command and Control System – Maritime (GCCS-M) from a UAS; and long-range over-the-horizon targeting from a UAS to a U.S. Navy destroyer.  

 “Our partnership and collaboration with the U.S. Navy during this exercise has been extremely beneficial and helped set the stage for a revolutionary change in how the U.S. Navy and our foreign partners address the increasing challenges and complexities for accomplishing distributed maritime operations,” said J.R. Reid, GA-ASI’s vice president for Defense Department Strategic Development. “We successfully demonstrated several groundbreaking capabilities for the first time, and we look forward to leveraging this momentum to continue to develop and test more advanced capabilities that provide immense value to the warfighter, both domestically and abroad.” 

GA-ASI has expanded the traditional role of the MQ-9 for its U.S. government and foreign customers to support maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, including ASW, with the development of the expeditionary MQ-9B SeaGuardian that can safely operate in adverse weather and non-segregated airspace.  

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) achieved 8,000 aircraft recoveries and launches aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) on April 19, during the final independent steaming event of her 18-month Post Delivery Test & Trials (PDT&T) period, the Naval Air Systems Command said in an April 26 release. 

Capt. Kenneth Sterbenz, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) program manager (PMA-251) for EMALS and AAG, said ALRE finished PDT&T strong, and they are ready for the next step, as Ford prepares for Full Ship Shock Trials, which is scheduled to begin summer 2021. 

“ALRE’s support of EMALS and AAG was admirable throughout the rigorous testing of PDT&T operations,” said Sterbenz. “On the way to reaching 8,000 launches and recoveries, we saw many Ford crew trained, learned a great deal about the systems, and laid invaluable groundwork for future Ford-class ships.” 

As CVN 78 moved through PDT&T, ALRE had the opportunity to directly support the fleet, as 351 Naval aviators were qualified using EMALS and AAG throughout 2020 and 2021. Time and training also enabled a great increase in the efficiency of flight operations. More than 7,000 of Ford’s total launches and recoveries were completed in the last 18 months. 

Cmdr. Lindsey Buzzell, PMA-251 Deputy Program Manager for Ford CVNs, said ALRE’s accomplishments are the product of years of dedication, expertise, and professionalism. 

“PDT&T proved extremely valuable for ALRE, as it allowed for extensive test and evaluation, and the opportunity to expose useful learning opportunities,” said Buzzell. “As we move forward, we’ll continue building on our experience, increase confidence in EMALS and AAG, and do our part to support the warfighter by preparing the systems for whatever Ford’s future deployments bring to the table.” 

The Navy’s newest aircraft launch and recovery technology, the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear System, were designed for use aboard Ford-class aircraft carriers, beginning with USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). Land-based test sites, located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., enable test, troubleshooting and Sailor training. Developed by prime contractor General Atomics, EMALS and AAG provide significant advancements to the Navy’s Ford-class aircraft carriers. EMALS and AAG require a smaller footprint in the ship, less maintenance, and less manpower than comparable steam catapults and arresting gear aboard Nimitz-class carriers. 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — Rite-Solutions was recently awarded a $23.5-million, five-year IT services contract by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), the company said in an April 28 release. The company will support NUWC’s Activity Chief Information Officer Information Technology Division, which is responsible for managing and maintaining the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport’s (NUWCDIVNPT’s) voice and data computer networks, including network backbone architecture for services such as email, web-based applications, database applications, file storage, and printing.  

The NUWCDIVNPT data network, which includes 6,500 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation IT assets, provides the command with robust, secure, and fault-tolerant internal network services. It also supports external network connectivity to over 4,000 seats via multiple networks, including the Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) and Secure DREN.  

The NUWCDIVNPT telephone network provides desktop telephone services to over 5,000 locations through the division’s internal Public Branch Exchange. The Information Technology Division is also responsible for operating media center services, such as the Integrated Display Center and video teleconferencing facilities, which provides state-of-the-art video, data, and worldwide telecommunication services over unclassified and classified IP networks, and/or ISDN. 

“We are thrilled that NUWC chose to renew the contract with us,” says Dennis McLaughlin, CEO and President at Rite-Solutions. “While we are rapidly expanding into new technologies that give the Navy an information advantage, IT services and security remain a critical component of what we offer.”  

“Cybersecurity touches every part of this contract,” adds Rocky Reeves, Rite-Solutions senior vice president and director of IT Services. “Our network, telephone, and audio-visual engineers supporting this contract must meet strict DoD Cybersecurity Workforce requirements.” Security certifications include Security+ce, CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Operating system certifications include Cisco Certified Network Architects, Cisco Certified Network Professionals, and Red Hat LINUX. 

In addition to NUWCDIVNPT’s Enterprise Infrastructure located in Newport, Rhode Island,  remote detachment support is also required for voice, video, and data networks located in West Palm Beach, Florida; Andros Island, Bahamas; Seneca Lake, New Tork; Fishers Island, New York; Dodge Pond, Connecticut; Kings Bay, Georgia; Fort Story, Virginia; and Norfolk, Virginia. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — Unmanned aircraft, surface and under-sea vessels will help maximize the U.S. Navy’s future range across the Pacific Ocean, while ships and submarines armed with hypersonic or directed energy weapons could protect them in contested areas, the chief of naval operations says.

“Our biggest R&D effort is in hypersonics,” Adm. Mike Gilday told a live streamed question and answer session April 27 at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a Washington think tank. Hypersonic weaponry is planned for delivery in 2025. “First on surface ships and then on Block 5 submarines,” Gilday said. “We want to bring that kind of capability forward, using distributed maritime operations to come at an adversary in a variety of different vectors and make it very difficult for him to target us.”

Gilday said he sees unmanned systems as a path to affordability and lethality despite expected leaner defense budgets in coming years. “Probably by the  mid-to-late 2030s, we think up to a third of the fleet could be unmanned, if everything goes right,” Gilday explained. “And for the air wing of the future, we think about the same, initially about 40%, potentially going to 60% unmanned” teamed with fourth- and fifth-generation fighters in contested areas,” he added.

The MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned aircraft system should reach initial operational capability around 2025, Gilday said. Once it’s integrated into the carrier wing, the Boeing-built Stingray will enhance aircraft carrier reach as a sea-based, aerial refueling drone, that can also provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance around the carrier strike group.

On March 16, the Navy and Marine Corps released the Unmanned Campaign framework, (https://old.seapowermagazine.org/navy-marine-corps-release-unmanned-campaign-plan/) which presents their strategy for making unmanned systems a trusted and integral part of warfighting. The Navy is  conducting collaborative experimentation and rigorous testing of unmanned systems “to get to a point, in probably five to seven years, where we’re much more confident about two real big pieces: reliability and trust,” Gilday said.

He added that trust is all about command and control. Reliability, is key in terms of operations. “With respect to the surface fleet, we really want a platform that’s going to run, run, run, run and not break down on us,” Gilday said, noting the Freedom-class littoral combat ships have 7,000 sensors in their engineering plant. “We can’t have that kind of complexity on a platform that’s eventually going to be unmanned. It’s got to be very reliable.”

Unmanned platforms, both on and under the sea, are also going to play a major role in distributed maritime operations in the future, although they have not yet been classified as part of the battle force. “They’re separate and distinct from the 355” ship Navy mandated by Congress, Gilday said.   

While the Navy’s strategy calls for highly mobile and distributed maritime operations in the Pacific, in an age of ubiquitous satellite imagery, “it’s going to be difficult to hide,” Gilday said, adding “Directed energy, with respect to the future survivability of the fleet, is really important.”

Noting that Navy ships from Ford-class aircraft carriers to Zumwalt-class destroyers generate excess electrical power, Gilday said, “If we could get that same capability on an unmanned vessel,” armed with a directed energy weapon, it could provide a surface fleet with a “high degree of defense-in-depth coverage against an incoming threat.”

BAHRAIN — At approximately 8 p.m. on April 26, three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) failed to exercise due regard for the safety of other vessels as required under international law as they came into close proximity to U.S. naval vessels in international waters of the north Arabian Gulf, the U.S. 5th Fleet said in an April 27 release. 

The IRGCN armed speed boats rapidly approached U.S. Navy patrol coastal ship USS Firebolt (PC 10) and U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Baranoff (WPB 1318) to an unnecessarily close range with unknown intent, including a closest point of approach (CPA) of 68 yards to both U.S. ships. 

Firebolt and Baranoff were conducting routine maritime security operations in international waters during the time of the incident. 

The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio and loud-hailer devices, but the IRGCN vessels continued their close-range maneuvers. The crew of Firebolt then fired warning shots, and the IRGCN vessels moved away to a safe distance from the U.S. vessels. 

Throughout the interaction, U.S. forces proactively communicated with the IRGCN vessels and executed pre-planned responses to reduce the risk of miscalculation, avoid a collision, and to de-escalate the situation. 

The IRGCN’s actions increased the risk of miscalculation and/or collision, were not in accordance with the internationally recognized Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) “rules of the road” or internationally recognized maritime customs. In addition, the IRGCN actions were not in accordance with the obligation under international law to act with due regard for the safety of other vessels in the area. 

U.S. naval forces continue to remain vigilant and are trained to act in a professional manner, while commanding officers retain the inherent right to act in self-defense.