NEW ORLEANS, LA. – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. company, announced Sept. 9 the successful fly-away of its first two next-generation air cushion vehicles, Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) Craft 100 and LCAC 101, on Sept. 2. 

The two craft departed Textron Systems’ New Orleans, Louisiana, shipyard, where they liaised with U.S. Navy asset Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 091 – built by Textron in 2000 – for the last leg of their journey to the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, Florida. 

Prior to this milestone, Craft 100 and LCAC 101 completed Builder’s and Acceptance Trials, followed by formal acceptance by the U.S. Navy customer. Craft 100 is intended to serve as a test and training asset for the customer, while LCAC 101 is the first craft for operational use. Currently, twelve additional SSCs are in progress at Textron Systems’ shipyard. 

“We are proud of the achievement that this fly-away represents as we strive to equip the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps with the unmatched capability set of the SSC,” said Henry Finneral, senior vice president of Textron Systems. “The SSC will provide the versatility needed to transport critical personnel, weapon systems, equipment and cargo the last mile, even in the most challenging environments.” 

The SSC stands ready to replace the existing legacy fleet as a true upgrade for the LCAC forces at Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, ACU 5 and Naval Beach Unit 7. The craft can travel at a sustained 35 knots and has an increased payload capacity and a service life of 30 years. 

SSC’s similar configurations, dimensions and clearances to the legacy LCAC make it compatible with existing well deck-equipped amphibious ships, as well as Expeditionary Transfer Dock and Expeditionary Sea Bases. The SSC’s expanded capability set, versatility and built-in compatibility promise a smooth transition for users. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — One of the big challenges facing the U.S. Navy in the future deployment of unmanned systems is how to obtain and use them effectively on a global scale, the Navy’s top acquisition official says.

Unmanned systems are already a key part of the force, whether in the air, on the surface or under it,  but “how do we scale that to take advantage of the unique opportunities” they provide the Navy, James “Hondo” Geurts asked in a Sept. 8 livestreamed keynote address to the Unmanned Systems Defense, Protection, Security virtual conference.

“We need to be bold in trying new things,” said Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development and Acquisition, “but disciplined in how we scale that so we don’t get into exquisite fragility, where we have systems in one specific niche for one specific set of conditions.”

Geurts said scale and balance are two key attributes going forward. He noted Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday’s unmanned systems campaign plan seeks to move from a collection of  systems, often treated as unique, into an integrated capability that share command and control, concepts of operations and data systems and avoid reinventing the wheel for every platform.

A key challenge is “how we’re going to communicate with all these different systems and how they can come in and out of our network,” Geurts said. It will take technology that can cut across multiple platforms, to align technical, business, programmatic and operational architectures, he said.

Geurts was asked if large unmanned surface vessels (LUSVs) should be counted as ships, an issue that has roiled the debate over how to increase the Navy’s size to 355 ships.  Geurts said he was “less interested in what numbers we count in what column.” He is more interested in a vessel’s capability, and when they prove they have the capability “appropriate for what we consider right now a battle force ship, then we’ll  put them in the right column,” Geurts said.

“In the end we have to get away from manned vs, unmanned. It’s manned and unmanned together, that will enable us to be the most successful,” he added.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet is planning a Fleet Battle Problem next year that will feature unmanned systems in air, surface, and undersea domains, a Navy admiral announced, noting that “an unmanned Fleet Battle Problem is a pretty new concept.” 

“We’re going to issue a PlanOrd [Planning Order] next week that we’re going to order an unmanned fleet battle problem,” said Rear Adm. Robert Gaucher, director, Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaking Sept. 8 at the Defense, Protection, Security virtual conference sponsored by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.  

Gaucher explained that Fleet Battle Problems are run “to get after one of these key operational problems. We’re going to do two for early 2021 to be able to run a Fleet Battle Problem centered on unmanned. It will be on the sea, above the sea and under the sea … as we get to demonstrating how we can align to the [Indo-Pacific Command] directives to use experimentation to drive lethality.” 

The admiral said “we haven’t worked out all the details. I know there will be a command-and-control aspect to it as we build and figure out what the best command-and-control is, working with [Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm.] Lorin Selby and seeing what his options are for some of the payloads and sensors that we can bring in, as well as demonstrating some autonomy in an actual fleet problem, run by either the shore and, at points, ships at sea as we try to press the advantage against our adversaries.” 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has placed an order for two versions of the H-1 helicopter from Bell Textron for the Czech Republic, the Defense Department said in a Sept. 4 release.  

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Bell Textron a $272 million fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for the production and delivery of eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters for the government of the Czech Republic under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  

The UH1-Y and AH-1Z both are front-line helicopters used by the Marine Corps. The production of 160 UH-1Ys for the Corps was completed in 2018, while production of 189 AH-1Zs continues. Pakistan also has received 12 AH-1Zs and Bahrain has been approved for 12 AH-1Zs. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy is increasing the berthing on its fourth and fifth expeditionary sea base ships (ESBs) to meet the increasing operational demand this class of ships has experienced since it first deployed.  

The Navy’s supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath, Detachment San Diego, San Diego, California, awarded National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California, a $35.6 million fixed-price-incentive modification to previously-awarded contract to incorporate a modification to the ships’ forward house Habitability Modification in support of Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 6 and ESB 7, the Defense Department said in a Sept. 4 announcement.  

“This Engineering Change Proposal is applicable to ESB 6 and ESB 7 to modify the existing ESB class berthing requirement to support an additional 100 military crewmembers and is deemed essential to Fleet operational requirements planned for this class of ships,” the announcement said. 

The Navy has forward-deployed its first two ESBs. USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) has been in the Persian Gulf and has supported mine countermeasures and special operations forces, among other roles. The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) deployed this year to the Mediterranean Sea. The third ESB, Miguel Keith (ESB 5) has been delivered to the Navy. 

Work is expected to be completed by January 2024. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has selected six shipbuilders or naval architect companies for design studies for the Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) program, according to a Defense Department (DoD) announcement. 

The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded a total of $42 million in contracts to Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi; Lockheed Martin Corp., Baltimore, Maryland; Bollinger Shipyards Lockport LLC, Lockport, Louisiana; Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, Wisconsin; Gibbs & Cox Inc., Arlington, Virginia; and Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama. 

Each contract is valued at approximately $7 million.  

The LUSV is to be the largest unmanned vessel in the Navy’s planned family of USVs. It is expected to be armed with vertical launch cells with surface-to-air missiles as well as sensors. 

Capt. Pete Small, speaking Sept. 8 at the Defense-Protection-Security webinar sponsored by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, said the Navy is focused on making the LUSV an “affordable, capable, reliable platform.”  

“Each contract includes an option for engineering support, that if exercised, would bring the cumulative value for all awards to $59,476,146,” the DoD announcement said. “Work will be performed in various locations in the contiguous U.S. in accordance with each contract and is expected to be complete by August 2021 and if option(s) are exercised, work is expected to be complete by May 2022.” 

Even a pandemic doesn’t stop the Navy and Los Angeles from celebrating “Fleet Week.”

So much is different now due to COVID, but, according to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, “Certain values never change … our commitment to serve the people who serve us.”

Each year, the popular celebration that marks the end of summer brings huge crowds to the San Pedro port to experience the U.S. Navy up close. This year’s Fleet Week festivities begin today (Friday, Sept. 4, 2020), but many of the activities are occurring virtually, such as remarks by Mayor Garcetti and U.S. Third Fleet Commander Vice Adm Scott D. Conn. 

Most Angelenos know that the Navy Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) came to the city’s aid early in the COVID-crisis. LA Fleet Week President Jonathan Williams noted that this virtual LA Fleet Week will give the community a chance to learn much more about their Navy. 

Throughout the weekend, there will be virtual ship tours of the amphibious ships USS Comstock (LSD 45) and  USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), minesweeper USS Scout (MCM 8), nuclear attack submarine USS Iowa (SSN 797), and guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), as well as U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, U.S. Marines and with performances by the Navy Band Southwest.

Many of the events will be anchored around Battleship Iowa, moored at the San Pedro port and one of the Los Angeles area’s top visitor attractions. A reprise of past performances by big-name entertainers and fireworks will also be viewable on the LA Fleet Week virtual platform.

Because so much of the Fleet Week festivities are virtual, anyone can attend, no matter where you are.  See the schedule of events at https://www.lafleetweek.com/.

SAN DIEGO – The keel for the future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), the Navy’s second John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, was laid at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (GD NASSCO), Sept. 3, the Program Executive Office – Ships said in a release. 

Due to ongoing health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the keel was authenticated without ceremony. However, to commemorate the milestone, remarks were recorded for compilation and later 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 sponsors, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Paula Neira, had their initials etched into the keel plate by NASSCO welders Kyle Meinert and Julio Abril. 

“The ship will significantly contribute to our Combat Logistics Force, serving as the primary fuel pipeline from resupply ports to ships at sea,” said Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, Program Executive Officer – Ships. “This ship will ensure our warfighters stay supplied at sea, keeping them in the fight and combat ready.” 

As critical elements of the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force, Fleet Replenishment Oilers directly contribute to Adm. Gilday’s Future Navy efforts to make naval logistics more agile and resilient by enabling the employment of forces in dispersed and forward environments. 

Harvey Milk will be operated by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command and is the first ship named after the Navy veteran and civil and human rights leader who became the first openly gay elected official in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. 

NASSCO is also in construction on the future USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205) with an additional four Fleet Replenishment Oilers on contract. The Navy’s program of record calls for the eventual procurement of 20 Fleet Replenishment Oilers to replace the aging T-AO 187 class. 

MOBILE, Ala. – The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the twelfth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, USNS Newport (T-EPF 12), Sept. 2, the Navy’s Program Executive Office – Ships said in a Sept. 3 release. 

EPFs are designed to operate in shallow waterways and are capable of a wide range of activities. The vessels are versatile, non-combatant, transport ships that are being used for high-speed transportation of troops, military vehicles, and equipment. Their missions include overseas contingency operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, support of special operations forces, theater security cooperation activities and emerging joint sea-basing concepts.  

“Today’s delivery marks the twelfth EPF delivered to the Navy, and I’m proud to be a part of delivering this highly-capable ship that can successfully meet a wide range of missions,” said Tim Roberts, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office – Ships. “Newport will continue to provide flexible warfighting capabilities around the globe.” 

T-EPF 12 will be owned and operated by Military Sealift Command. EPFs are capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. Each vessel includes a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. The ships are capable of interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, as well as on/off-loading vehicles such as a fully combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank. 

 Austal USA is in production on the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) and is under contract to build the future USNS Cody (EPF 14). 

REDZIKOWO, Poland – The U.S. Navy’s newest shore installation, Naval Support Facility (NSF) Redzikowo, was officially commissioned on Sept. 3 at a ceremony in front of U.S. and Polish dignitaries, the commander, Naval Region Europe, Africa Public Affairs said in a release. 

The ceremony, based on traditional Navy ship commissioning events, celebrated the official turnover of NSF Redzikowo’s newly completed support facilities from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Navy. 

It also marked another significant milestone for NSF Redzikowo, which was established in 2016 as the first U.S. installation in Poland. 

Redzikowo will be the second operational location for the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS), part of the United States’ contribution to NATO ballistic missile defense. The AAMDS site at Redzikowo, currently under construction, is estimated to be operational no earlier than Fiscal Year 2022. 

“In the years to come, Redzikowo will play a critical role in the defense of Europe, as an important operational asset,” said Rear Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT), who presided over the ceremony. “And in the Navy’s tradition, this is why we chose not to simply dedicate this installation, but to commission it … to man our ‘ship’ and bring it to life.” 

Gray and Słupsk Mayor Barbara Dykier conducted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the installation’s main campus. 

Gray and Dykier were joined by the installation’s two commanding officers, Capt. Eric Williams of NSF Redzikowo and Cmdr. Derek Johnson of AAMDS Poland, as well as Col. Radoslaw Sułek of the Polish Army’s Force Protection Battalion and Col. Patrick Dagon, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Europe District. 

The new additions to NSF Redzikowo include the base’s administrative offices and a Multi-Purpose Facility (MPF) with housing and dining facilities, as well as security and public works buildings, a general purpose warehouse, a fire station and athletic facilities. Williams and Johnson started moving their personnel into the new workspaces during the summer. 

“Within just three days of my assuming command of U.S. Naval Support Facility Redzikowo, this event – the commissioning ceremony and all the accomplishments within – were mere visions scribbled on a piece of paper and carried in my ‘playbook’ still today,” said Williams, who has commanded NSF Redzikowo since November 2019. “The vision was that this was meant to happen and then, that it would happen … I’m excited, and my entire crew of Sailors and civilians are excited.” 

Located at a former military and civilian airfield 225 miles northwest of Warsaw, NSF Redzikowo is operated in conjunction with the Polish Force Protection Battalion. 

Sailors assigned to NSF Redzikowo and AAMDS Poland conduct regular training events with the Force Protection Battalion and local emergency services departments. They also participate in local outreach projects in the surrounding communities, including Redzikowo and Słupsk. 

“Through regular community outreach at local schools and training with Polish first responders, you have proven you are truly a part of this community,” Gray said. “The relationship you’ve built is not just a reflection of the trust and partnership between the Navy and our Polish allies, but also between the United States and Poland and our long-standing friendship.” 

Once complete, NSF Redzikowo will be the second Navy facility to employ Aegis Ashore; the first, Naval Support Facility Deveselu, Romania, was established in October 2014. 

Aegis Ashore is part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), the voluntary U.S. contribution to NATO’s BMD system. EPAA’s main purpose is to protect NATO allies and U.S. deployed forces against ballistic missile threats emanating from outside the Euro-Atlantic region. 

First conceived in 2009, EPAA became a reality in 2011 with the deployment of Aegis-equipped Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to Naval Station Rota, Spain and a forward-based TPY-2 radar system to Turkey. 

The next step came in May 2016, when the AAMDS site at NSF Deveselu achieved operational certification through a series of unit- and theater-level tests and exercises. That same month, ground was broken on the second AAMDS facility at the former Słupsk-Redzikowo Airport, and NSF Redzikowo was officially established on Nov. 30, 2016 under the command of Capt. Rick Gilbert. 

Upon completion, the AAMDS site at NSF Redzikowo will consist of a fire-control radar “deckhouse” with an associated Aegis command, control and communications suite. Separately, it will house several launch modules containing SM-3 (Standard Missile-3) missiles. These capabilities will be identical to those at NSF Deveselu. 

Aegis Ashore uses a defensive system almost identical to that used on the Navy’s Aegis-capable guided-missile destroyers and cruisers at sea. The system is designed to detect, track, engage and destroy ballistic missiles in flight using the Aegis SPY-1 radar and the SM-3 missile interceptor. SM-3 missiles have no offensive capability and only target incoming ballistic missiles launched by hostile countries. 

Concurrent with construction of the AAMDS section of the base, the Navy worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Missile Defense Agency to construct facilities capable of supporting more than 200 U.S. military personnel, government civilians and contractors who will man the AAMDS site and support its operations. 

“We are incredibly proud to be able to construct and deliver the newest U.S. Navy base,” said Dagon. “Not only does it strengthen NATO’s defensive posture in this part of the world, but it also demonstrates the valuable and effective partnerships between the U.S. and Poland.” 

Following acceptance of the new support facilities by the Navy earlier this year, NSF Redzikowo and AAMDS Poland began the process of relocating from temporary offices into the administration building and MPF in late June. Sailors will transition from off-base housing into new living quarters at the MPF in early 2021. 

NSF Redzikowo’s operations enable the responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in support of Navy Region EURAFCENT’s mission to provide services to the fleet, fighter, and family throughout the European, African and Central Command theaters of operation.