Tag: us navy
143 articles
Navy's Jet Trainer Search Pressed
The Navy is racing against time to find a new jet trainer, as every delayed month puts pilot production further behind schedule and increases the risk of its aging T-45 fleet failing. With Boeing and Lockheed Martin exiting the competition, the pressure is on to find a solution.
US Navy Eyes Fifth Public Shipyard to Support Expanding Fleet
The US Navy is setting its sights on building a fifth public shipyard to keep up with its rapidly expanding fleet, and ensure that multi-trillion dollar investments pay off with long-term maintenance and support. This move is a practical response to the administration's ambitious plan to dramatically increase the Navy's inventory.
US Navy Still Flies MQ-1 Predators in Secret Test Role
The US Navy is secretly testing a fleet of 20 MQ-1 Predators, acquired from the Air Force in 2019 and rebranded as NMQ-1Bs, despite the aircraft's official retirement in 2018. These drones are being used for mysterious testing purposes at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division.
US Navy Needs a Strategy to Back Up Its Planned Expansion
The US Navy is at a critical crossroads, with a rare opportunity to expand its fleet amid bipartisan support - but a clear strategy to back up this growth is noticeably missing. Without a comprehensive plan, this promising moment could slip away, leaving the Navy's future at risk.
US Navy Prepares to Dispose of Historic USS Long Beach
The US Navy is seeking industry proposals to dispose of the historic USS Long Beach, a 721-foot-long behemoth that has languished at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard since its decommissioning in 1995. Once a powerful warship, the Long Beach now sits idle, its superstructure stripped and reactors defueled, awaiting its final fate.
Fincantieri CEO Blames Navy's Constellation Frigate Debacle on Procurement Woes
Fincantieri Marine Group CEO George Moutafis says the Navy's Constellation frigate program was doomed by procurement issues, noting that sometimes "perfection is the enemy of more than good enough". The program's struggles began when constant change orders derailed its development, despite starting with the proven FREMM design.
Boeing Exits Navy's T-45 Jet Trainer Replacement Competition
Boeing has bowed out of the Navy's T-45 Jet Trainer replacement competition, citing that its T-7A Red Hawk trainer doesn't meet the Navy's Undergraduate Jet Training System requirements. The decision was made after an internal assessment revealed the General Electric F404 turbofan wouldn't qualify without costly and time-consuming development work.
US Navy Drone Boat Rescues Apache Crew Near Strait of Hormuz
In a daring rescue near the Strait of Hormuz, a US Navy drone boat sprang into action, saving two crew members from a downed US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter just two hours after the crash, with the soldiers now in stable condition. The incident is under investigation, but this heroic operation marks a groundbreaking milestone for the Navy's unmanned rescue capabilities.
US Navy Deploys Drone Boat in High-Stakes Rescue of Downed Apache Crew
In a daring rescue off the coast of Oman, a cutting-edge drone boat called the Saronic Corsair played a crucial role in saving the lives of two US Army aviators whose Apache helicopter had gone down. This 24-foot autonomous vessel, capable of reaching speeds of 35 knots, proved its worth in a high-stakes operation.
Navy Drone Boat Rescues Downed Helicopter Crew at Sea
In a groundbreaking rescue, a Navy drone boat swiftly came to the aid of a downed AH-64 Apache helicopter crew at sea, showcasing the game-changing potential of manned-unmanned teaming. The Corsair unmanned surface vessel, operated by Task Force 59, expertly retrieved the crew and transferred them to safety.
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.
Congress Probes Navy's Trump Class Battleship Plan Over Nuclear Shipbuilding Concerns
The House Armed Services Committee is pushing for answers on the Navy's ambitious plan to build 15 new nuclear-powered battleships, known as the Trump Class, at a hefty $17 billion each, and wants assurance that the massive project won't derail existing shipbuilding programs. Members are demanding a formal risk assessment to prove the Navy can handle the enormous undertaking without compromising its nuclear shipbuilding capacity.
Congress Rebuffs Effort to Cut Trump-class Battleship Funding
In a surprising move, an effort to slash funding for the Trump-class battleship program was shut down, with Rep. Adam Smith's amendment to strip $1 billion in advanced procurement failing 26-30. The congressman had argued that the hefty $20 billion price tag of the lead battleship could be better spent elsewhere.
US Marine Corps Retires AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet
The US Marine Corps bid farewell to its iconic AV-8B Harrier II squadron, Marine Attack Squadron 223, in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, marking the end of an era for the legendary jump jet. The Harrier's unique vertical takeoff and landing capabilities made it a staple of Marine aviation for decades.
US Navy Deploys Littoral Combat Force to Caribbean
The US Navy has deployed Littoral Combat Force-24 (LCF-24), a highly adaptable team of over 1,300 Marines and Sailors, to the Caribbean as part of a new flexible deployment strategy. This purpose-built force is engineered for distributed operations, allowing it to punch above its weight and make a big impact in the region.
Navy Advances Seven Firms in Unmanned Surface Vessel Testing
The US Navy has taken a major step forward in autonomous technology, selecting seven top defense firms to advance their medium unmanned surface vessel designs to at-sea prototype testing. These innovative companies, including Leidos, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Sea Machines, will help shape the future of naval operations.
Pentagon Explores Foreign Shipbuilding Amid US Capacity Constraints
The Pentagon is eyeing a game-changing strategy: tapping into foreign shipbuilding capacity to bolster its own fleet, with a whopping $1.85 billion request to explore building US Navy ships in Japan or South Korea. This bold move could be a major shake-up in the making.
Congress Pushes Navy to Develop Containerized HELIOS Laser
Congress is pushing the Navy to revolutionize its laser technology by developing a containerized version of the highly anticipated HELIOS laser, a move that could significantly enhance the military's capabilities. A proposed $5 million funding boost for this project is sparking excitement about the potential for a game-changing maritime defense system.
Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat Conducts Test Flights from US Navy Base
Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat has taken to the skies in a major milestone, conducting test flights from a US Navy base in California, showcasing its ability to operate seamlessly from allied facilities. This significant achievement highlights the aircraft's maturity and paves the way for potential export opportunities to international customers.
Navy Deploys Drones to Sink Warship in Live-Fire Exercise
In a thrilling display of modern naval power, the US Navy successfully sank a warship using drones in a live-fire exercise, marking a significant milestone in military technology. The operation, part of the UNITAS 2026 exercise, involved a littoral combat ship launching four aerial drones and a surface vessel to take down the decommissioned USS Simpson.
US Navy Eyes F/A-18 Super Hornets to Replace F-5 Adversaries
The US Navy is considering a major upgrade to its adversary fleet, potentially replacing its aging F-5 aircraft with F/A-18 Super Hornets, a move that could bring a significant boost to training exercises. Congress is pushing for a rapid update on the plans, with a report due by March 2027.
Congress Targets Trump Class Battleship Over Immature Weapon Systems
Congress is putting the brakes on the Trump Class Battleship program, refusing to let the Navy move forward with construction until the weapon systems are proven to be mature and ready for action. The proposed legislation would require the Secretary of the Navy to certify that the ship's technology is up to par before a contract can be signed.
US Navy Rethinks Risk in Software Development for Edge Operations
The Department of the Navy is shaking up its approach to software development, redefining risk to deliver mission-critical data at breakneck speeds. By recalibrating its tolerance for risk, the Navy aims to accelerate the flow of vital information to where it's needed most, when it's needed most.
US Carriers Reposition Amid Surge in Global Hotspots
As the global landscape shifts, US carriers are strategically repositioning to stay ahead of the curve, with a notable presence in key hotspots. The US Navy is making its move, with CENTCOM forces having already redirected over 100 commercial vessels and allowed vital aid to pass through.