New Air Bases, Baby Cabbage Key to Chinese Long-Term Claims on South China Sea

March 27, 2020 image of a Chinese Installation on Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea. CSIS Image

China is tightening its grip on disputed claims in the South China Sea by beefing up its military capability and planting the seeds of long-term habitability on the artificial islands at the core of its regional economic influence strategy.

Last week, Taiwanese officials warned of the threat posed by a Chinese air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to press reports, including an...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/03/new-air-bases-baby-cabbage-key-to-chinese-long-term-claims-on-south-china-sea

Navy Receives No Protests Over FFG(X) Frigate Award to Fincantieri; Detail Design Process Begins

Fincantieri FFG(X) Design based on the FREMM. Fincantieri Image

No protests have been filed over the Navy’s decision to award Fincantieri a detail design and construction contract for the FFG(X) program, clearing the way for work to begin, the Navy confirmed to USNI News.

Under contracting rules, bidders have a certain amount of time to protest the decision to the Government Accountability Office if they feel the contracting office made the wrong decision in evaluating bids against the stated...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/03/navy-receives-no-protests-over-ffgx-frigate-award-to-fincantieri-detail-design-process-begins

USS Theodore Roosevelt Back in Guam Picking up Remaining Sailors Before Resuming Deployment

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) flies a replica of Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry’s ‘Don’t Give Up the Ship’ flag as Theodore Roosevelt approaches Apra Harbor, Guam on June 3, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and its embarked air wing are ready to go back on deployment after completing carrier qualifications, following a two-month fight against a COVID-19 outbreak on the carrier, U.S. 7th Fleet announced.

Theodore Roosevelt is now pier-side in Guam to pick up the remainder of its...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/03/uss-theodore-roosevelt-back-in-guam-picking-up-remaining-sailors-before-resuming-deployment

Navy Kicks Off Summer Flag Moves With VCNO Swearing-In

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday, left, administers the Oath of Office to Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Bill Lescher during a promotion ceremony at the Pentagon on May 29, 2020. US Navy Photo

Several promotions last week kicked off an unofficial start to this summer’s season of flag officer moves.

On Friday, the Navy ushered in the service’s new Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William Lecher who relieved former VCNO Adm. Robert Burke in a small ceremony overseen...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/02/navy-kicks-off-summer-flag-moves-with-vcno-swearing-in

Artificial Intelligence at Core of Marine Officers’ ‘Big Ideas’ for Future of Force

A team of 10 Marines is mulling how to take major technology developments and apply them to the combat missions, as part of a Naval Postgraduate School-hosted series of online TED talk-styled presentations.

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, virtual reality and other technological advances are at the center of the “Big Ideas Exchange.” The goal is moving the most promising idea from the theoretical to the practical as quickly as possible.

Several students said they drew inspiration...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/02/artificial-intelligence-at-core-of-marine-officers-big-ideas-for-future-of-force

COVID Pandemic a Barrier to Navy’s Oversight of Columbia Submarine Industrial Base; PEO Working on Virtual Oversight

Attack boat Vermont (SSN-792) float-off on March 29, 2019. General Dynamics Electric Boats Photo

The Columbia ballistic-missile submarine program has seen some COVID-19-related challenges – including difficulties conducting oversight audits to ensure suppliers can keep to the tight schedule that has no room for further delays – but the program executive officer is confident that the prime shipbuilder is managing the situation and keeping the program on track.

The Navy had been deploying...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/02/covid-pandemic-a-barrier-to-navys-oversight-of-columbia-submarine-industrial-base-peo-working-on-virtual-oversight

More Marines Arrive in Australia After COVID-19 Screening; 13th MEU Leads Mideast Ready-Response Force

Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin arrive at RAAF Base Darwin in Darwin, NT, Australia, June 2, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo

Marines are on the move this week, with the latest contingent arriving in Australia for the resumption this summer of the rotational forces to Darwin and the command element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit taking the helm of a Middle East-based response force.

About 200 Marines landed at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin in recent days to join Marine...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/02/more-marines-arrive-in-australia-after-covid-19-screening-13th-meu-leads-mideast-ready-response-force

USS Gerald Ford Done Proving It Can Launch Planes, Ready to Tackle Warfighting Operations

As a first step, the first-in-class carrier is likely to do some command and control exercises with the nearby Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, at sea in the Mid-Atlantic aiming to avoid the COVID-19...

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 1, 2020

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of June 1, 2020, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:299Ships Underway

Deployed Ships UnderwayNon-deployed Ships UnderwayTotal Ships Underway
642791

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces3rd Fleet4th Fleet

China’s Newest Aircraft Carrier Now Conducting Sea Trials

Type 001A Shandong

China’s newest aircraft carrier, Type 001A Shandong (Hull 17), is conducting sea trials at a time Beijing’s military leadership criticizes the pace and scope of U.S. Navy operations in the region.

Shandong departed the Dalian Shipyard on May 25 to test the ship’s weapons and equipment, to train crew members and enhance the carrier’s ability to conduct missions, Senior Col. Ren Guoqiang, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense, confirmed on Friday during a media...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/01/chinas-newest-aircraft-carrier-now-conducting-sea-trials