ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has ordered long-lead materials and activity to support production of eight P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for its patrol squadrons plus 10 more for foreign military sales. Naval Air Systems Command has awarded an $800 million contract modification for long-lead…
Navy to Commission Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams
WASHINGTON — The Navy will commission its newest Expeditionary Sea Base, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony Saturday, March 7, in Norfolk, Virginia, the Navy’s Office on Information announced in a March 6 release. …
Columbia SSBN Not a Factor in 2021 Budget Cut to One Virginia-Class Sub, Geurts Says
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s controversial decision to propose one Virginia-class attack submarine (SSN) instead of two in the fiscal year 2021 budget was a matter of budget priorities — not a concern over shipyard or program capacity to start construction of the Columbia ballistic-missile sub, the Navy’s…
Geurts: Navy Looking at Money-Saving Strategies in Procurement of Four Amphibs
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy is looking at acquisition strategies for procuring four amphibious warfare ships over the next few years to achieve economies, the Navy’s top acquisition official said. During March 4 testimony about the fiscal 2021 shipbuilding proposal before the Seapower subcommittee of the…
NAVAIR Extends Life of F-16 Adversary Aircraft
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office (PMA-226) recently completed a modification on several U.S. Navy F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft to increase readiness and service life, according to Naval Air Systems Command. The FalconUp modification improves F-16A readiness by extending their fatigue…
NAVAIR Orders Two MV-22B Osprey
ARLINGTON, Va. — Naval Air Systems Command has ordered two MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft and provided funds to continue the modernization of the Osprey fleet. According to the Feb. 28 Pentagon contract announcement, NAVAIR awarded Bell-Boeing a $165.3 million contract under the fiscal…
Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Cooperstown
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Cooperstown (LCS 23), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony on Feb. 29 in Marinette, Wisconsin, the Pentagon said in a release. Alba Tull will serve as the ship’s sponsor. In a…
Modly: Integrated Navy Force Structure to Steer Away From Large Surface Combatants
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s forthcoming Integrated Naval Force Structure Assessment (INFSA) differs from the 2016 FSA by some inflection points, including a reduced emphasis on large surface combatants, the Navy’s top official said. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas B. Modly, speaking Feb. 28 at the…
Navy Accepts Delivery of USS Tripoli
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — The U.S. Navy accepted delivery on Feb. 28 of the future USS Tripoli, the newest America-class amphibious assault ship, from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, the Navy announced. Amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the amphibious ready…
Navy Crew Begins Training in Completed Spaces Aboard JFK
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Huntington Ingalls Industries has reached an important milestone in the construction of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy as the first of 2,700 compartments were turned over to the ship’s crew, the company announced. The completed spaces…
