Tag: naval operations
31 articles
Navy Submarine Idle Time Costs $3.4 Billion Over Decade
The Navy has racked up a whopping $3.4 billion in unnecessary costs over the past decade due to maintenance delays and idle time for its attack submarines. This staggering bill could balloon even further if the Navy can't find a way to mitigate the issue, with an additional $3.1 billion on the table by 2030.
US Aircraft Carriers Deploy, Relieve in Middle East Theater
After a grueling 277-day deployment, one of the longest in modern history, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is finally heading home, bringing relief to its weary crew. The US aircraft carrier will make a well-deserved port call in Thailand before docking at Naval Base San Diego.
US Carrier Deployments Strain Naval Force Amid Global Tensions
The US Navy is feeling the strain as four of its aircraft carriers are currently sidelined for maintenance, putting extra pressure on the remaining ships to manage global hotspots. With tensions running high, the USS George Washington has been redeployed to the Middle East to help relieve the overworked USS Abraham Lincoln.
Firestorm Labs Tests 3D Printing at Sea Amid Rough Waters
Imagine printing thousands of unique parts at sea, even in the roughest of waters - that's exactly what Firestorm Labs achieved on board the USS Essex during a recent trial. The company's portable 3D printing unit, xCell, proved its mettle by producing parts non-stop despite the ship pitching through Sea State 5.
US Navy Struggles to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway, has been crippled, with traffic plummeting to just 10 percent of its normal volume, leaving around 500 merchant ships stranded in the Gulf. This severe disruption has inflicted immense economic and strategic damage, forcing extraordinary political decisions, including President Trump's sudden reversal on a military strike.
US Navy Seeks Mothership for Southern Command Ops
The US Navy is on the hunt for a game-changing mothership to supercharge its Southern Command operations, boosting maritime awareness and response capabilities across the Eastern Pacific and Southern Caribbean. This versatile vessel will be a crucial asset, and the Navy is now seeking input on its design and construction.
China Coast Guard Bolsters Replenishment at Sea Capabilities
The China Coast Guard is stepping up its game with a strategic upgrade: the ability to replenish its ships at sea, keeping them on station for longer and bolstering its presence in the South China Sea. Two 5,000-ton tankers, hulls 5502 and 5602, are already on the job, supporting patrols in the region.
China Builds Massive Supply Ship for Carrier Groups
China is building a massive supply ship that has caught the world's attention, particularly in the US, as it signals a new era of maritime power. This hulking vessel, rising from the shipyard on Longxue Island, is set to support China's carrier groups and challenge traditional naval dominance.
China's PLAN Enhances Readiness with At-Sea Degaussing Operations
A recent photo reveals a fascinating glimpse into China's naval operations, showcasing the Type 072A landing ship Baxianshan getting degaussed at sea with the help of the Type 911 degaussing vessel Dongqin-870. This routine yet crucial sustainment action keeps ships ready for action without needing to return to base.
USS Abraham Lincoln Sets Record with 210 Days at Sea
Meet the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that's made history by spending a record-breaking 210 days at sea, showcasing its unparalleled endurance and capabilities. With over 5,000 Sailors and Marines on board, this unstoppable vessel has been a continuous presence in Middle Eastern waters since November 2025.
US Aircraft Carriers Reposition Amid Iran Talks Escalation
The US has beefed up its naval presence in the Middle East with four major warships on station, including two aircraft carriers, as tensions rise during ongoing Iran talks. This strengthened force posture features the USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George H.W. Bush, and amphibious assault ships USS Tripoli and USS Boxer.
Navy Retires C-2 Greyhound After Decades of Carrier Resupply Missions
The C-2 Greyhound's legendary career came to a close with its final takeoff and landing on the USS Nimitz, marking the end of nearly 60 years of dedicated service as the Navy's carrier onboard delivery workhorse. The iconic aircraft will continue to fly until later this year, when it will be fully retired.
China's Third Carrier Exposes Operational Limits
China's newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, recently made a significant move by transiting through the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taiwan's military to spring into action with enhanced surveillance measures. The move was closely monitored by Taiwan, which even released a striking aerial image of the carrier - with one notable detail: its flight deck was eerily empty.
Iran Strikes Cargo Vessel, Halts Strait of Hormuz Evacuation Plan
The International Maritime Organization has hit the pause button on an evacuation plan for hundreds of vessels in the Persian Gulf after a cargo ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, citing safety concerns. The move aims to ensure that necessary safety guarantees remain in place for ships in the region.
US Naval Posture Persists Amid Iran Ceasefire Talks
The US naval blockade of Iran remains firmly in place, with CENTCOM forces disabling nine commercial vessels that attempted to breach it, as tensions persist ahead of a crucial ceasefire agreement signing in Geneva on Friday. The blockade will stay in effect until the deal is sealed.
US Aircraft Carrier Nimitz Returns Home After Goodwill Tour
The USS Iwo Jima's historic 296-day deployment has come to an end, with the amphibious ready group racking up an impressive 6,000 sorties, 1,850 flight hours, and over 130,000 nautical miles traveled. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group's remarkable journey has concluded with its return to Naval Station Norfolk.
China's J-35, J-15DT Fighters Adapt to Liaoning Carrier's Ski-Jump Operations
China is pushing the boundaries of its aircraft carrier capabilities with its Liaoning carrier, as seen in recent training exercises featuring the J-35 and J-15DT fighters taking off using the ship's ski-jump ramp. This marks a significant milestone in the development of China's naval aviation, with the J-35 and J-15DT successfully adapting to the carrier's ski-jump operations.
Russia Probes Britain's Subsea Cables with Naval Subs
Russia is taking a brazen underwater dive, with submarines dispatched to scope out Britain's critical subsea cables - and the UK is hitting back with proposed legislation that could mean fines and even prison time for anyone recklessly damaging these vital digital lifelines.
US Navy to Test Aircraft Carrier as Floating Nuclear Power Plant
This summer, the US Navy will pioneer a groundbreaking experiment, using an aircraft carrier as a floating nuclear power plant to energize Norfolk Naval Base. The innovative test aims to demonstrate the Navy's ability to deliver reliable, mission-critical power to its installations.
US Aircraft Carriers Redeploy After Ford's Record-Breaking 326-Day Mission
After a record-breaking 326-day mission, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has returned to Naval Station Norfolk, accompanied by cheers from hundreds of loved ones. The supercarrier and its crew of nearly 4,500 Sailors sailed over 57,000 nautical miles and supported operations across two continents.
Nanyun-Class Troop Transports Bolster China's South China Sea Presence
China's naval capabilities in the South China Sea just got a significant boost with the introduction of the Nanyun-class troop transports, designed to efficiently transport hundreds of troops and tons of cargo. These six versatile vessels, built in the 1980s, can carry around 400 troops or 350 tons of cargo, and offload via two small landing craft.
Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Returns Home After Record-Breaking Deployment
Get ready for a hero's welcome home! The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford is returning after a record-breaking deployment that has left the Navy and its leaders beaming with pride.
US Navy Bolsters Iran Blockade with 20 Warships Deployed
The US Navy has significantly ramped up its presence in the region, deploying over 20 warships to enforce a robust blockade of Iran, successfully redirecting 61 commercial vessels and disabling at least four that attempted to breach the blockade. This massive show of force is a clear demonstration of the Navy's commitment to maintaining maritime security in the area.
US Strikes Iranian Tankers in Escalating Blockade Enforcement
On May 8, a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet swooped in to disable two oil tankers, M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, that were trying to breach the US naval blockade, preventing them from entering an Iranian port. The precision strike, carried out by the fighter jet operating from USS George H.W. Bush, effectively enforced the blockade.