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Navy Amphibious News

24 Jul 2023

The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in the Adriatic Sea, June 23, 2023.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it can’t build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission, the Navy would include 293 battle force ships at the end of FY2024 and 291 battle force ships at the end of FY2028."But there is progress…

13 Dec 2022

US Navy Awards BAE Systems $295 Million Contract for USS Kearsarge Refit

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) (Photo: Sarah E. Ard / U.S. Navy)

BAE Systems said it has received a $294.7 million contract from the U.S. Navy to drydock and perform more than 20 months of maintenance and modernization work on the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $340.3 million.Under the awarded contract, the maintenance availability of USS Kearsarge will begin in April. Starting in June, the 843-foot-long ship will be drydocked for nearly a year at BAE Systems’ Norfolk, Va. shipyard.

09 Dec 2021

Fairbanks Morse Defense Acquires Welin Lambie

(Photo: Welin Lambie)

U.S.-based marine defense provider Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) has acquired Welin Lambie, a U.K.-based manufacturer of davits used specifically for the launch and recovery of all types of craft from ships or shore-based installations.The acquisition further expands FMD’s capabilities and service solutions for shipyard, defense and commercial marine customers, including the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Canadian Coast Guard. Additionally, FMD’s acquisition of Welin Lambie enhances its product and service offerings for future uncrewed ship programs…

22 Nov 2021

Ingalls Wins $113.6 Million Procurement Contract for LHA 9

File photo: America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) (Photo: Samantha Oblander / U.S. Navy)

America’s largest military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a contract modification from the U.S. Navy for $113.6 million to enable long-lead-time material and advance procurement activities for amphibious assault ship LHA 9. This modification brings the total advance funding for LHA 9 to $651 million.Ingalls is the sole builder of large-deck amphibious ships for the Navy. The Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard delivered its first amphibious assault ship, the Iwo Jima-class USS Tripoli (LPH 10), in 1966.

24 Nov 2020

BAE Systems Wins $197 Million Contract for USS Wasp Modernization

Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) (File photo: Taylor King / U.S. Navy)

BAE Systems said Tuesday it has received a $197.4 million contract from the U.S. Navy to drydock and perform maintenance and modernization work aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). This is the second time in four years that the company has performed significant work on board the Wasp to sustain its warfighting capability.Under the new contract, BAE Systems’ Norfolk, Va. shipyard will begin working aboard the 843-foot-long USS Wasp in February 2021, performing hull, tank and mechanical work.

06 Mar 2018

USN Adds F-35 Carrier to Arsenal

A detachment of F-35B Lightning II's with Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) arrived aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) March 5, marking the first time the aircraft has deployed aboard a U.S. Navy ship and with a Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Indo-Pacific. The F-35B, assigned under the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, will provide a robust set of sea-based capabilities that will enhance Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary operations. The aircraft is equally capable of conducting precision strikes inland, supporting Marines inserted ashore or providing air defense for the Expeditionary Strike Group. "Pairing…

23 Feb 2018

Tech File: An Inside Look at Ballast Tank Linings

© Sheng Zhang / Adobe Stock

The proper lining of ballast tanks is essential and critical to ship safety. Not too many decades ago, ships traveling the North Atlantic routes were experiencing terrible losses from outright sinking in the turbulent seas. It was eventually discovered that the primary culprit was hull failure from ballast tanks rupturing from the inside out due to simple, plain old-fashioned rusting and galvanic corrosion. The U.S. Navy led the way and came up with a recommended formula, or recipe, for a ballast tank coating that paint manufactures could copy in bidding for Navy business.

19 Jun 2017

Ingalls Bags $3 Bln for Bougainville (LHA 8) Build

Construction of the amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8) is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018, and delivery is expected in 2024. (Image: HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $3 billion contract for the detail design and construction of the new U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8). Ingalls was awarded the original long-lead material contract for the third ship in the America (LHA 6) class on June 30, 2016. “Our shipbuilders do an outstanding job building large-deck amphibious warships,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018, and delivery is expected in 2024.

15 Mar 2017

Adelaide’s Fighting Edge Tested

Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious ship HMAS Adelaide lead from the front during the recent Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER. Exercising task group operations off the Western Australian coast, the landing helicopter dock was the centrepiece to war-fighting scenarios. En-route to the ‘war-zone’, the crews of Australian, New Zealand and Spanish Navies experienced realistic attacks by ‘enemy’ cruise missiles from aircraft and ground-based locations during the high-end warfare serials. During the first air-strike, HMA Ships Darwin and Melbourne joined the Spanish Armada’s ESPS Cristobal Colon, in protecting Adelaide by neutralising the incoming cruise missiles and an aircraft.

26 Jan 2017

Supporting Amphibious Development from Ashore

Brisbane Navy base, HMAS Moreton, recently hosted 60 Army Assault Pioneer Platoon personnel for a three-week intensive Advanced Small-Craft Operations Course. Situated on the Brisbane River at Bulimba, the base became the home to 30 trainees and 30 support staff from 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. The Platoon conducted a series of tactical insertions at Bribie and Moreton Islands as well as surf negotiation on the Gold Coast. The course develops skills for pre-landing force operations from Navy's amphibious ships, HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide. A number of zodiac boats are required to insert the Battalion’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance elements prior to the arrival of the main landing force.

02 Nov 2016

South China Sea Arbitration: Implications for Maritime and O&G

(Credit: Blank Rome LLC)

A recent decision by an international tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, has significant implications for other maritime disputes, freedom of navigation, and future oil and gas claims in the Arctic. The arbitral award issued on July 12, 2016, by a unanimous five-member panel or Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the dispute between the Philippines and China over rocks and elevations in the South China Sea, sounded a clarion call for the rule of law and the clearly defined…

07 Oct 2016

US Navy Ship Steaming toward Haiti to Support Relief Efforts

The USS Mesa Verde, a U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship, is steaming toward Haiti to support relief efforts after Hurricane Matthew killed more than 500 people and left thousands homeless in the Caribbean country, the Navy said on Friday.   A Navy spokesman said the ship would bring a large set of capabilities, including three CH-53 heavy lift helicopters, bulldozers and fresh water delivery vehicles. The ship can produce 72,000 gallons of fresh potable water per day and is stocked with pallets of food, medicine, baby formula, diapers, first aid supplies and other key items.   The ship has a surgical team which can work out of two operating rooms on board. (Reporting by Phil Stewart)

14 Sep 2016

US Navy Aids Ailing Cargo Ship Crewman

The U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) provided medical assistance to a crew member of a cargo vessel after receiving a distress call September 12.   After receiving the call at 5:32 p.m., the ship's medical team boarded the Liberian-flagged motor vessel Fernando and rendered aid to the crew member, a Polish national, who was then transported to San Antonio for further evaluation.    After evaluating the condition of the crew member and assessing a need for hospital care, San Antonio coordinated a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) to a hospital ashore in Oman for follow-on care.

31 Aug 2016

Ingalls Secures Design Work for US Navy’s New LX(R) Ships

The U.S. Navy's LX(R) amphibious warship class will replace the Harpers Ferry- and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships and will use the same hull as the San Antonio (LPD 17) class. HII rendering

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $13.7 million contract (with incremental funding) to perform contract design effort for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ship replacement, known as LX(R). “Ingalls has the finest shipbuilders and engineers in the world who make it their mission to meet the needs of the men and women of the United States Navy and Marine Corps,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. On June 30, Ingalls was selected to perform the majority of the contract design work for LX(R).

01 Jul 2016

Ingalls to Build US Warship LH8

Rendering of LHA 8 (Image: HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been selected to build the U.S. Navy’s next large-deck amphibious assault warship, LHA 8. Ingalls has also been selected to perform the majority of the contract design work for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ship replacement, known as LX(R).The U.S. Department of Defense announced both contracts June 30. The LH8 contract – which includes the planning, advanced engineering and procurement of long-lead material – is valued at $272…

15 Oct 2015

Kearsarge Celebrates 240 Years of Navy’s Pride

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) flagship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) celebrated the Navy’s 240th birthday Oct. 13, 2015. The Kearsarge ARG team is comprised of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), and embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which departed the U.S. on October 6, 2015. Kearsarge celebrated the event with 1MC announcements throughout the day, a cake cutting and singing during a ceremony aboard. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps.

31 Aug 2015

HMAS Canberra Initial Operational Capability

The Royal Australian Navy’s Amphibious Ship, HMAS Canberra, has completed a graduated operational test and trials program to achieve a key milestone towards Initial Operating Capability. The program included integration of landing craft as well as trials for both the crew, ship and aviation systems. The Navy’s S70B Seahawk, Army’s S70A Blackhawk and the joint MRH-90 Taipan helicopters have now all been evaluated for operations from the Canberra class ships. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, said the milestone meant that Canberra had successfully conducted the required training and evaluation to undertake specific Government directed operations.

22 Jul 2015

Working Toward a Low Carbon Future

Paul Floren (Photo: GE)

Recently, Pilita Clark, the Environment Correspondent at the Financial Times, wrote a very interesting article about a new report, ‘The New Climate Economy’, which I would highly recommend reading. The New Climate Economy was commissioned in 2013 by the governments of seven countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Norway, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Its reports are completely independent, and this latest one highlights some key recommendations which can help support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions…

05 Jun 2015

NATO Begins Maritime Exercises in Baltic Region

Forces from 17 NATO and non-member partner countries will carry out joint maritime exercises in the Baltic region over the next two weeks. “Seventeen NATO and partner nations will participate in the 43rd iteration of the multinational maritime exercise BALTOPS 2015 in Poland, Sweden, Germany, and throughout the Baltic Sea, June 5-20,” the US Navy said in a statement. The annual BALTOPS exercise will focus on interoperability among maritime forces on tasks such as air defense, maritime interdiction and anti-submarine warfare, according to the Navy. Participants are expected to bring 49 ships, 61 aircraft and one submarine. The U.S. will lead the exercise on the ground, but NATO is responsible for organization.

15 Apr 2015

Navy League Honors Retired Ingalls President

Irwin F. Edenzon (center) accepts the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Award from Rep. Randy Forbes (left) and James H. Offutt, national president of the Navy League of the United States, Tuesday night in National Harbor, Maryland. Photo courtesy of the Navy League of the United States

Irwin F. Edenzon, the retired president of Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division, accepted the Navy League of the United States' Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Award last night. The Navy League presented the award at the annual Sea-Air-Space Black Tie Reception and Banquet at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The Nimitz award honors an industry leader who has made a major contribution to the nation's maritime strength or enhanced national security.

04 Mar 2015

Fire Aboard US Navy Ship

Amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (U.S. Navy photo by Mark Andrew Hays)

A fire broke out aboard a U.S. Navy amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) at approximately 2 p.m. yesterday while the ship was undergoing maintenance at NASSCO/Earl Industries shipyard in Portsmouth, Va. Sailors aboard the vessel and the Portsmouth, Virginia, Fire and Rescue Department responded, declared the fire out at approximately 5:25 p.m. According to the U.S. Navy, initial reports indicate that the fire began in an unmanned storeroom below the main deck. All personnel were accounted for, the Navy said.

07 Aug 2014

Today in U.S. Naval History: August 7

Today in U.S. Naval History - August 7 1782 - Badge of Military Merit (Purple Heart) established 1942 - Navy Amphibious Task Force lands Marines on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands in first U.S. land offensive of World War II 1964 - Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed by Congress For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

01 Aug 2014

RIMPAC Draws ADF Closer to Amphibious Future

HMAS Success maintains her assigned station on the Guide during the Fleet Formation serial, in which 38 warships and four submarines sailed in close company, testing the seamanship skills of bridge watchkeeping staff. The serial took 11 hours and resulted in an arial photograph of all the participating RIMPAC 14 ships and submarines.

More than 800 Australian Navy, Army and Air Force personnel are on their way home after taking part in RIMPAC, the world’s largest naval exercise, which concluded in Hawaii today. Australia sent the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship HMAS Success and Submarine HMAS Sheean, a rifle company from 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment and three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion aircraft to the exercise to conduct military training with defense forces from 21 other Pacific Rim nations.

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