Constellation-class frigate

Austal USA Wins Detail Design Contract for Navy T-AGOS(X) Ocean Surveillance Ship

TAGOS-25 Rendering. Austal USA Image

Austal USA has won a $114 million contract for the Navy’s new T-AGOS(X) ocean surveillance ship, according to a Thursday announcement from the Defense Department.

The award is for the detailed design of the first surveillance ship, which the Navy bought in Fiscal Year 2022.

“The contract includes options for detail design and construction of up to seven T-AGOS 25 class ships, special studies, engineering and industrial, provisional items orders, post-delivery...

https://news.usni.org/2023/05/18/austal-usa-wins-detail-design-contract-for-navy-t-agosx-ocean-surveillance-ship

HASC Chairman Sees Future for Aircraft Carriers, Questions Cost

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., Oct. 10, 2019. The congressman learned about several aspects of the 56th Fighter Wing F-35 pilot training and how the wing works to enhance lethality and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham)

Questioning the $12 billion price tag of new aircraft carriers, the chairman of the House Armed Services...

https://news.usni.org/2021/08/31/hasc-chairman-sees-future-for-aircraft-carriers-questions-cost

SECNAV Del Toro Picks New Temporary Navy Under Secretary

Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment). US Army Photo

The civilian head of the Department of the Navy’s installations has been tapped to fill in as the second-highest civilian in the department, according to a Monday announcement.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations & Environment Meredith Berger will perform the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy starting on Wednesday, replacing James “Hondo” Geurts, who had been...

https://news.usni.org/2021/08/24/secnav-del-toro-picks-new-temporary-navy-under-secretary

Geurts Stepping Down as Acting Navy Undersecretary, Retiring From Government

James F. Geurts

James Geurts, the Navy’s former acquisition chief who for the last several months has been performing the duties of the undersecretary of the Navy, is stepping down this month.

In a Thursday post on LinkedIn, Geurts shared a handwritten letter, dated Aug. 3, detailing his decision to formally retire.

“I have decided to retire from government service later this month,” Geurts wrote in the note. “It was an extremely difficult decision given my strong belief in our mission and pride...

https://news.usni.org/2021/08/04/geurts-stepping-down-as-acting-navy-undersecretary-retiring-from-government

Navy Issues $554M Contract Modification for Second Navy Frigate

Rendering of USS Constellation (FFG-62). Fincantieri Image

The Navy on Thursday issued Fincantieri Marinette Marine a $554 million contract to start building the next frigate in the Constellation class, the service announced.

The award is for the future USS Congress (FFG-63), which is the second hull in the Constellation class.

“The Navy Program Office is pleased to award the option for the USS Congress (FFG 63) to our industry partner Fincantieri Marinette Marine,” Capt. Kevin Smith, the program...

https://news.usni.org/2021/05/20/navy-issues-554m-contract-modification-for-second-navy-frigate

Austal USA Expanding to Make Steel Ships; Yard Looks to Bid on Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter, Navy Light Amphib Programs

Austal USA rendering of steel facility at its Alabama shipyard. Austal USA Image

The Austal USA shipyard in Alabama that specializes in aluminum ship construction is officially on its way to also offering steel ships, breaking ground on a new facility on Friday meant to open up new business opportunities with the Navy and Coast Guard in the short term.

By April 2022, the yard will be transformed to have separate production lines and facilities for aluminum ships and steel ships – the former...

https://news.usni.org/2021/03/29/austal-usa-expanding-to-make-steel-ships-yard-looks-to-bid-on-coast-guard-offshore-patrol-cutter-navy-light-amphib-programs

Wittman: HASC Republicans Will Keep Up Push for Larger Navy

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.)

Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee will maintain their focus on building a larger Navy to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, the panel’s new number-two Republican told USNI News.

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) said that, while the new Biden administration will want to evaluate the plans for Navy shipbuilding, he believes the emphasis on China as the main challenge for the U.S. will drive the strategy and make a larger fleet essential going forward.

“You might have...

https://news.usni.org/2021/02/05/wittman-hasc-republicans-will-keep-up-push-for-larger-navy

Navy: Constellation Frigate, DDG(X) Programs Mark Start of ‘Surface Ship Renaissance’

Rendering of USS Constellation (FFG-62). Fincantieri Image

The Navy already has models of the Constellation-class frigate and the upcoming DDG(X) destroyer in the water at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock in Maryland and is using a new set of engineering best practices to guide the development of both programs, several Navy officials explained last week.

The Fiscal Year 2020 defense bill ordered the Navy to create a senior technical authority for every ship class, who would be responsible...

SWO Boss: Study Pushing Further Changes to LCS, Informing Frigate Manning Plans

Information Specialist 1st Class Matthew Stephenson mans the lines as the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS-11) gets underway on Aug. 30, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Navy in the next few weeks will release a further refinement of how to operate and maintain the Littoral Combat Ships that today make up the small surface combatant fleet.

In parallel, though, the service is working hard to take lessons learned from years of struggles with the LCS and ensure the upcoming frigate...

Congress Overrides Trump Defense Bill Veto

NASA Photo

The Senate voted 81 to 13 to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act in a rare New Year’s Day session.

“Today, the Senate sent a strong message of support to our troops by voting to make the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act law,” Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said in a Friday statement. “I’m glad the Senate voted once again, by a wide bipartisan margin, for this bill — the...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/01/congress-overrides-trump-defense-bill-veto

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