NAVIFOR Boss: Virtual Training for ITs Soon to Go Fleetwide

Navy Information Systems Technicians assigned the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) provision more than 1,500 computer workstations for integration into their shipboard Consolidated Afloat Ships Network Enterprise Services (CANES) system in Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific’s Network Integration and Engineering Facility. US Navy Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – A recent pilot program tested in the fleet to provide information systems training virtually to shipboard sailors proved...

https://news.usni.org/2020/03/04/navifor-boss-virtual-training-for-its-soon-to-go-fleetwide

Wittman: Restoring 2nd Virginia Major Hill Goal for 2021 NDAA

Sailors aboard to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Delaware (SSN-791) on Nov. 5, 2019. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Restoring funding for a second Virginia-class fast-attack submarine in Fiscal Year 2021 tops the list of priorities when lawmakers form the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act, said Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee.

The administration’s FY 2021 shipbuilding request is for $19.9 billion to...

https://news.usni.org/2020/03/04/wittman-restoring-2nd-virginia-major-hill-goal-for-2021-ndaa

Coast Guard Key to Coronavirus U.S. Response; Marines, Navy Increasing Measures to Ward Off Disease Spread

This illustration of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). CDC illustration

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The U.S. sea services have yet to feel a major effect from the coronavirus but are keeping a wary eye on its spread, the service chiefs said on Monday.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger outlined how each service was handling the growing outbreaks of the virus that originated in Wuhan, China, during a...

https://news.usni.org/2020/03/02/coast-guard-key-to-coronavirus-u-s-response-marines-navy-increasing-measures-to-ward-off-disease-spread

House Considers Bill Halting Reprogramming Defense Funds for Border Barrier

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, is briefed on the capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II during his visit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Air Force photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Armed Services Committee is considering clawing back into the Pentagon the money for shipbuilding and aircraft President Donald Trump is redirecting this year to fund border barrier construction.

During the past week, representatives from both sides of the aisle stated they were...

https://news.usni.org/2020/03/02/house-considers-bill-halting-reprogramming-defense-funds-for-border-barrier

SECNAV Modly Says Nation Needs Larger, Distributed Fleet of 390 Hulls

The Honorable Thomas Modly, acting Secretary of the Navy, takes a selfie with USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) newly selected petty officers during an all-hands call in the hangar bay. Navy photo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A pending force structure analysis calls for bigger and more spread out Navy than previously thought, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly on said Friday.

Following a day where lawmakers grilled Modly about the Navy’s yet-to-be submitted plan to field a 355-ship fleet, he described...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/28/secnav-modly-says-nation-needs-larger-distributed-fleet-of-390-hulls

SECNAV Modly: Navy Needs Additional $120 Billion To Build 355-Ship Fleet By 2030

The Honorable Thomas Modly, acting Secretary of the Navy, talks with Capt. John J. Cummings, USS Gerald R. Ford'(CVN 78) commanding officer, in the ship’s pilot house. US Navy photo.

The Navy could build a 355-ship fleet by 2030, but paying for such a force will require adding between $120 billion and $130 billion to the service’s funding over the next decade, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly told lawmakers Thursday.

Assuming the Navy and Department of Defense receive flat topline...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/27/secnav-modly-navy-needs-additional-120-billion-to-build-355-ship-fleet-by-2030

Report to Congress on Precision-Guided Munitions

The following is the Feb. 27, 2020 Congressional Research Service report, Precision-Guided Munitions: Background and Issues for Congress.

Over the years, the U.S. military has become reliant on precision-guided munitions (PGMs) to execute military operations. PGMs are used in ground, air, and naval operations. Defined by the Department of Defense (DOD) as “[a] guided weapon intended to destroy a point target and minimize collateral damage,” PGMs can include air- and ship-launched missiles,...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/28/report-to-congress-on-precision-guided-munitions

SECDEF Esper Blames Failures of Optimized Fleet Response Plan for Delay of New 355-Ship Fleet Outlook

The island of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is landed onto the flight deck during a mast-stepping ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., May 29, 2019. Navy photo courtesy HHI by Matt Hildreth/Released

Ongoing problems with the Navy’s Optimized Fleet Response Plan delayed the release of the service’s new force structure assessment and long-term shipbuilding plan, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told the House Armed Services...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/26/secdef-esper-blames-failures-of-optimized-fleet-response-plan-for-delay-of-new-355-ship-fleet-outlook

SECDEF Esper Faced Bipartisan Criticism Over ‘Anemic’ Shipbuilding Plan

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper is briefed on USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) advanced weapons elevators (AWE) by Capt. John J. Cummings, Ford’s commanding officer. Navy photo

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper faced sustained bipartisan criticism from the House Armed Services Committee over the Pentagon’s proposed shipbuilding plan during a Wednesday hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 Pentagon budget.

Republican and Democratic committee members asked Esper how his request to buy eight ships in...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/26/secdef-esper-faced-bipartisan-criticism-over-anemic-shipbuilding-plan

Report to Congress on Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle

The following is the Feb. 20, 2020 Congressional Research Service report, Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV): Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

On January 6, 2011, after spending approximately $3 billion in developmental funding, the Marine Corps cancelled the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program due to poor reliability demonstrated during operational testing and excessive cost growth. Because the EFV was intended to replace the 40-year-old Amphibious Assault...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/26/report-to-congress-on-marine-corps-amphibious-combat-vehicle

Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of shipping news.
icon