Navy Requirements News

HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed the dry dock portion of the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).Following the recent flooding of more than 100 million gallons of water into the dry dock, USS John C. Stennis was moved to an outfitting berth at the shipyard, where the remainder of the RCOH work and testing will be completed.During the dry dock phase of the RCOH, USS John C. Stennis received significant upgrades and began an extensive overhaul process, both inside and outside the ship.

Last week, on January 31, the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) returned pier side after successfully completing acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S. Navy, Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced.During acceptance trials, comprehensive testing is conducted on the ship’s major systems and equipment in order to demonstrate their successful operation and mission readiness. The U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey participates throughout the trials to validate…

Austal Limited announced that the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF-13) has successfully completed acceptance trials for the U.S. Navy.Constructed at Austal USA’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard, EPF-13 is the first Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship with capabilities for V-22 Osprey flight operations and enhanced medical support. It is also the U.S. Navy’s largest ship with the capability to operate as an unmanned surface vessel (USV).Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the completion of acceptance trials for EPF-13 was a significant milestone…

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) said on Friday it has been awarded a task order from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to conduct a manufacturing assessment of several new propulsor bearing concept designs for U.S. Navy submarines. The task order is under the Propulsor Demonstration Hardware (PDH) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract previously awarded to GA-EMS.“Manufacturing feasibility evaluations such as this are crucial steps in determining whether a new concept design will deliver greater performance…

New Lighting Technology offers bright ideas for better interior and exterior lighting that saves money, manpowerThe U.S. Navy is leaving traditional lighting behind for Solid State Lighting (SSL) with very long-life solid-state light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. Technology has illuminated new ways to light ships that are safer, more efficient and more affordable. Taking advantage of the new technology has its challenges, such as finding cost effective lighting that is rugged…

Shipbuilder Austal USA has won concept studies and a preliminary design contract by the United States Navy for the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program.The USN’s new Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program envisions procuring a class of 28 to 30 new amphibious ships to support the Marine Corps, particularly in implementing a new Marine Corps operational concept called Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). The Navy envisions the first LAW being procured in FY2023.LAW…

U.S. shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $165.5 million, cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract from the U.S. Navy to provide long-lead-time material and advance construction activities for LPD 30, the first Flight II LPD.The funds from this contract will be used to purchase long-lead-time material and major equipment, including main engines, diesel generators, deck equipment, shafting, propellers, valves and other systems.

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chairman of the Senate Seapower Subcommittee, delivered the first in a series of scheduled remarks aimed at making the case for growing the U.S. Navy fleet to 355 ships, a goal shared by President Trump. Wicker’s speech focused primarily on shipbuilding and the capacity of the submarine industrial base to meet the Navy’s requirements. “President Trump wants a 350-ship Navy, which aligns with the Navy’s requirement for 355 ships. Right now, we only have 275 ships in the battle fleet.

The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Washington (SSN 787), the 14th submarine of the Virginia-class, May 26. Washington is the fourth of eight Virginia-class Block III submarines and the seventh of the class to be delivered to the Navy by Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Washington began construction in September 2011 and will be commissioned later this year in Norfolk, Virginia. The submarine's sponsor is Elisabeth Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "Washington's delivery continues our commitment to deliver Virginia-class submarines within budget and ready to deploy and execute Fleet tasking," said Capt. Washington will be the third U.S.

General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a contract to provide information technology services and security assistance support to the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) and Navy International Programs Office. The 48-month contract value is $46.7 million. Under this contract, General Dynamics will provide the U.S. Navy with support for project, financial and logistical analysis and management; IT services; cooperative programs; and international training and educational programs. Work on the contract is being performed in Philadelphia, PA; Washington, D.C.; Pensacola, FL; and Dayton, OH.

Israel's military said on Wednesday it had developed a version of its Iron Dome missile interceptor system that can be fired from the deck of a cruising navy ship to protect its offshore gas platforms. The augmented defense system passed a live test two weeks ago when it shot down several short-range ballistic missiles from a moving boat, said Colonel Ariel Shir, the navy's head of operational systems. Israel has boosted its naval defences over the past decade after the discovery of sizeable natural gas deposits off its Mediterranean coast. While the biggest fields are far from shore, the gas flows to platforms in shallower waters that can be seen from the southern Israeli coast, putting them in range of the kinds of rockets fired by militants in the Gaza Strip.

BAE Systems announced it has signed a contract with Bangkok Dock to assist in the licensed construction of a second 90-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Royal Thai Navy. Under the agreement, BAE Systems will provide engineering support and advice during construction of the vessel in Thailand. Nigel Stewart, Commercial Director, BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said, “We’re looking forward to building and strengthening our relationship with Thailand’s shipbuilding industry.

The Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Rapid Innovation Cell (CRIC) recently developed a basic prototype for an information system that will promote more collaboration between Sailors and commands during the job detailing process. "Our goal is to build a process that is transparent, flexible and gives more influence to commands, so they can build better teams, as well as to Sailors so they can have more say over their lives," said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Mabrey, CRIC project lead. Their clickable prototype represents the progress achieved after a two-day workshop with digital-services consulting group 18F, who strive to bring the best practices from top tech companies and startups to government systems.

The Turkish shipyard SEDEF has signed a contract with the Turkey's procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) for the design and construction of Landing Platform Dock (LPD) for the Turkish Navy. The 231-meter landing platform dock that is capable of carrying 1,000 personnel. Mujdat Uludag, a senior official at SSM, said the project is expected to end in 2021. Uludağ noted the capabilities of the Turkish Naval Forces will be advanced with this LPD, adding the warship would be able to sail in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Seas. “If needed, the warship can also sail in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans,” he said. The contract covers design and construction of an LPD ship based on the Spanish Navy's Navantia designed and built LHD Juan Carlos I.

In August 2014 the Mexican Navy (Secretaría de Marina) and the Netherlands’ Damen Shipyards Group signed contracts for the delivery of the design, material package, technical assistance and training for two vessels that will be built by the Mexican Navy, using the Damen Technical Cooperation program, which enables customers to build their vessel on the location of their choice. The first contract is for a Damen Stan Patrol 4207, the seventh of the Tenochtitlan-class (named after the first vessel of this class in use by the Mexican Navy), to be built on the navy yard ASTIMAR 1 in Tampico.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its AMSEC LLC subsidiary has been awarded two contracts in support of the United States Navy. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., awarded a contract to AMSEC for technical and logistical support services, as well as material kitting services, for U.S. Navy LCC 19-class Amphibious Command ships. Material kitting services involve the pre-packaging of materials required to complete a specific task. Amphibious Command ships provide command and control for fleet commanders. A total of three indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts were awarded for these services with a combined maximum dollar amount of $96.8 million. AMSEC LLC was also awarded the initial delivery order valued at $1.2 million.

U.S. WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy hopes to smooth out the impact on Lockheed Martin Corp and Australia's Austal of a budget-driven decision to order three Littoral Combat Ships instead of four in fiscal year 2015, the Navy's top weapons buyer said on Thursday. The Navy had planned to buy two of each of the different small warships built by Lockheed and Austal in fiscal 2015 and 2016, but it scaled back those orders to three ships a year as a result of budget cuts mandated by Congress. Assistant Navy Secretary Sean Stackley told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee's seapower subcommittee that Navy officials would now meet with both companies…

Two extreme AC72 foiling catamarans with wing sails went head-to-head at over 40 knots in San Francisco Bay, California. The teams were competing in the 2013 Americas Cup Challenge which took place from September 7-21, 2013. Anyone watching the first few days of Americas Cup sailing will know that it looked like Emirates Team New Zealand had a seemingly untouchable lead – then out of the blue Oracle Team USA completed one of the greatest comebacks in sport to win the 34th America’s Cup.

In response to today's announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama regarding the awarding of funding under the Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation Institute (LM3I) initiative to the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. ABS is consistently focused on identifying novel and innovative concepts that aid the marine and offshore industries in improving the design, construction and maintenance of their assets. The institute is a natural avenue to leverage ongoing ABS technology development in next-generation materials, metals and joining technologies. We are proud to be members of ALMMII and are thankful for the trust placed upon the team by the U.S. government.

Last last year Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) appointed Nils Kristian Berge acting Chief Executive  to succeed Chris Potter. As ASRY is a driving force in the key Middle East ship repair and offshore markets, Maritime Reporter spent some time with Berge for his insights on the ship repair market in general, as well as ASRY specific initiatives for the coming year. You replace Chris Potter, who obviously had a long and notable career. What are the top challenges and advantages going forward? Chris did a great job over his six years as CE of guiding the company to the next level.

The Department of Defense announce, amongst others, Navy contracts for Gravois Aluminum Boats, and Marine Hydraulics International. Gravois Aluminum Boats LLC, Jeanerette, La., is being awarded a $9,634,577 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the construction of command force protection medium harbor security boats, technical data and spare parts. The harbor security boats provide anti-terrorism/force protection patrols for U.S. Navy installations, which include patrol, interrogation of other waterborne assets and escorting large vessels in and out of harbors in various weather and water conditions, throughout the year, day and night.

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) is the last in a series of 8 amphibious assault ships of the WASP-class built by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding at its Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard. Though last, it is the first in the series fitted with hybrid electric gas turbine propulsion, and recently returned to its San Diego homeport after its first deployment. “During the seven-month deployment, the ship’s hybrid-electric propulsion system saved more than four million gallons of fuel resulting in an estimated cost savings in excess of $15 million,” the Navy claims.

Naval Research Laboritory (NRL) scientists study the complex physics of Rotating Detonation Engines (RDE's). With its strong dependence on gas-turbine engines for propulsion, the U.S. Navy is always looking for ways to improve the fuel consumption of these engines. At the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), scientists are studying the complex physics of Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs) which offer the potential for high dollar savings by way of reduced fuel consumption in gas-turbine engines, explains Dr. Kazhikathra Kailasanath, who heads NRL's Laboratories for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics. Many Navy aircraft use gas-turbine engines for propulsion, with the Navy's gas-turbine engines being fundamentally similar to engines used in commercial airplanes.