Navy Expeditionary Combat Command News

The Swedish-built Combat Boat 90 (CB 90) has established itself with military forces around the world as both a warrior and a workhorse. The 52-foot boats first entered service in 1991 as troop carriers with the Swedish Marines, which is still procuring them. There are more than 250 operating worldwide today.These rugged boats are optimized for high-speed / shallow-draft operations in and around Sweden’s many coastal islands, but they have also proven to be ideal for a variety of other applications and operating environments.The CB 90 is 52 feet long, with a draft of just 2 feet 7 inches.

My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay, I gazed in amazement as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) raced toward Virginia Beach, slowed, glided up the beach and into its shore base.

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) operates hundreds of boats all the way from a 7-meter Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) to a 78-foot patrol boat, as well as construction equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, pumps, cranes, vehicles and chain saws and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) equipment.Maintaining all of it comes under the watchful eye of Force Maintenance Director Dave Noel.“I’m the guy that fixes the equipment we buy,” Noel said. “Once it’s fielded, it’s our job to keep it operational…

The Navy is known for its big ships. It has a lot of smaller boats and craft, too—3,200 of them.The three primary stakeholders for these craft are the Surface Fleet, Commander Navy Installations Command and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Other stakeholders include Submarine Forces; Air Forces (which own the aircraft carriers); Naval Special Warfare; the Coast Guard; Naval Facilities Command and the Naval Warfare Centers.Boats and craft are procured and managed by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Program Executive Office for Ships (PEO Ships)…

The U.S. State Department approved the possible sale to Ukraine of up to 16 patrol boats and related equipment for an estimated $600 million, according to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday.The 85-foot Mark VI patrol boats would be delivered by Bremerton, Wash. shipbuilder SAFE Boats International."The proposed sale will improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a modern, fast, short-range vessel. Ukraine will utilize the vessels to better defend its territorial waters and protect other maritime interests…

Shipbuilder Metal Shark and the US Navy are nearing the end of the operational test and evaluation (OT&E) trial period for the Navy’s incoming standardized “40 PB” patrol boat platform.Developed as the replacement for up to 160 patrol vessels deployed worldwide with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF), Metal Shark’s 40 Defiant design was selected in late 2017 from a field of seven competing shipbuilders.Metal Shark produced two of the 40-foot, welded-aluminum monohull pilothouse patrol boats for test and evaluation purposes…

The 10 U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 who were briefly detained by Iran Jan 12-13, returned to their homeport in San Diego last night. All of the Sailors are in good health and each will complete the final phase of reintegration. During this phase, which can last several days, Sailors reunite with their families, continue debriefings, and receive any ongoing medical care and support as necessary. "Our Sailors are being reintegrated with dignity and professionalism," said Rear Adm. Frank Morneau, Commander Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. The three-phased reintegration process began in theater immediately following their release, Jan. 13. The focus of Phase I of the reintegration process was to ensure the immediate health and safety of the Sailors.

SAFE Boats International (SBI) has been awarded a contract modification to provide the United States Navy two (2) additional Mk VI Patrol Boats (Mk VI PB). The contract modification exercises the options available on the second Mk VI procurement contract, which was awarded to SAFE Boats in June of 2014. This brings the total number of Mk VI boats to be built by SAFE Boats to 12. The Mk VI PB is the Navy's next generation Patrol Boat and will become a part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's (NECC) fleet of combatant craft. NECC will utilize the Mk VI PB to provide operational commanders a capability to patrol littoral areas beyond sheltered harbors and bays…

On September 30, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of Trenton (JHSV 5) - the second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) launched by Austal in 2014. This 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multiuse platform. It is part of a 10-ship program worth more than $1.6 billion. The launch of Trenton was conducted in a multi-step process that involved having Berard Transportation transfer the ship from Assembly Bay 3 onto a Crowley deck barge, which was then towed to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard.

SAFE Boats International (SBI) says it has been awarded a contract to provide the United States Navy four additional Mk VI Patrol Boats (Mk VI PB); with options for an additional two boats. The Mk VI PB is the Navy’s next generation Patrol Boat and will become a part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s (NECC) fleet of combatant craft. SBI explains that according to the contract the Mk VI PBs mission is to provide operational commanders a capability to patrol shallow littoral areas beyond sheltered harbors and bays, and into less sheltered open water out to the Departure Sea Area (DSA) for the purpose of force protection of friendly and coalition forces and critical infrastructure. The 85-foot Mk VI PB is designed for optimal performance, fuel economy, and firepower.

On January 16, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the USNS Fall River (JHSV 4). Recently christened, this 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multiuse platform. It is part of a 10-ship program, the funds for all of which have been appropriated, worth over $1.6 billion. The launch of USNS Fall River was conducted in a multistep process that involved having Berard Transportation transfer the ship from Assembly Bay 3 onto a deck barge, which was then towed to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard.

Smaller boatyards carve out a profitable niche in this challenging, yet target rich maritime environment. For Kvichak and USMI; so far, so good. The May edition of MarineNews brought analysis of possible downstream consequences of the U.S. federal government’s ongoing austerity measures, especially where it could impact U.S. boatbuilders with backlogs tied to government funding. Susan Buchanan’s “Budget Battles Bumping Backlogs” piece brought out the good, bad and potentially ugly realities of the new normal in Washington, DC, where lawmakers tussle over spending priorities, while also leaving various casualties in their messy wake. The August announcement that the U.S.

The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) will host the High Performance Craft (HiPer Craft) Forum on June 19-20, 2013 at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Va. •    Dr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Mr. •    Mr. Jonathan Hill, AMRINA, AFNI, Training Director at FRC International Ltd and Trident Marine Ltd. •    CAPT D.B. •    Mr. Dave Menna, Donald L. Blount & Associates, Inc. •    Mr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Dr. Trevor Dobbins, STResearch Ltd. •    Mr. Tyler Brand, President, StrongWake Ltd. •    Mr. •    Ms. •    Mr. Walt Pullar, Chief Executive Officer, RMGS, Inc.

Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the fourth Joint High Speed Vessel Fall River (JHSV 4), one of ten Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Navy. The ship’s sponsor, Diane Bemus Patrick, was present at the ceremony to authenticate the keel. Mrs. Patrick, First Lady of Massachusetts where the city of Fall River is located, was chosen to sponsor the ship by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Mrs. Patrick was assisted by Doc Selvie who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since May of 2007.

Lockheed Martin recently completed successful demonstrations of its Gyrocam 15-inch Dual Sensor & 15-inch Triple Sensor to the Navy. The demonstration was conducted as part of a cooperative research and development effort with the Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program. That program was established to help accelerate the delivery of innovative maritime technologies across all armed services. During the demonstration in Virginia Beach, Va., U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) sailors used the 15-inch gyro-stabilized optical sensors in both day and night exercises. After successfully tracking items of interest and acquiring on-the-move, high-resolution electro-optical and thermal video, end-users provided immediate feedback on the technology.

SpotterRF was one of 15 industry partners selected to participate in a Department of Defense (DOD) demonstration seeking cutting edge technologies with high potential of improving the warfighter's mission effectiveness and survivability. The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program conducted its first capability demonstration, Jan. 14-27, 2013 for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) off the coast of Virginia Beach, VA. This capability demonstration allowed SpotterRF to receive immediate feedback on the radar system as NECC Sailors observed the new technology in a realistic military maritime environment. During the course of the demonstration several scenarios were run in which vessels ranging from a jet ski to an 11 meter RHIB traveled different paths into and around the Harbor.

The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program conducted its first Capability Demonstration, Jan. 14-27. The initial demonstration was hosted for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) off the Virginia coast near the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va. The Capability Demonstration provided NECC Sailors an opportunity to observe new technologies developed by industry in a realistic military maritime environment. The program also provided the 15 participating industry partners an opportunity to receive immediate end-user feedback toward increasing technology readiness levels. “Warfighting needs are rapidly changing…

The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program has conducted its first capability demonstration for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). The Stiletto is a unique, maritime demonstration craft developed by the Defense Department to test littoral warfare concepts. Engineers and technicians with specialized expertise in maritime technology from Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock's Norfolk detachment maintain and operate the 88-foot-long, composite-bodied, m-shaped vessel.

Alion Science and Technology was awarded a $3.2 million task order to provide program management, engineering, IT and acquisition support to the Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (COMNECC) in Virginia Beach, VA. The three-year task order was awarded under the Logistics Maintenance and Supply Support (LMSS) contract vehicle. Alion will provide program management, acquisition support, technical and engineering support to COMNECC’s Warfare Requirements Directorate, a variety of technical support to the Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) Directorate, and financial management support to the Logistics and Financial Management Directorate. With extensive experience supporting COMNECC and a team of experienced warfare veterans who have served in leadership

On May 3, 2012, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), one of nine Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Navy. Austal invited Representative Jo Bonner to authenticate the keel. He was assisted by Jeff Cellon who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since May of 2010. A traditional keel-laying ceremony marks the first significant milestone in the construction of the ship.

Civil service mariners from Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp completed three days and more than 445 man-hours of improvement projects at the for the Deaf and for the Blind Unit in yesterday. Grasp arrived in Antigua July 4 as part of a four-month international outreach mission to the . While the ship’s embarked team of 15 Navy divers conducted tailored training and security operations with military divers from , and , Grasp’s civil service mariners sought out an opportunity to do a goodwill project ashore. The 60-year-old, 3,400 square foot school is attended by 18 deaf and three blind children. Over the course of July 15-17…

SAFE Boats International (SBI) has been awarded a contract to provide the United States Navy five (5) MK VI Patrol Boats (MK VI PB). The MK VI PB is the Navy’s next generation Patrol Boat and will become a part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s (NECC) fleet of combatant craft. NECC will utilize the MK VI PB to provide operational commanders a capability to persistently patrol shallow littoral areas beyond sheltered harbors and bays, and into less sheltered open water…

Members from Maritime Civil Affairs Group (MCAG) participated in the 57th Civil Affairs Association annual conference held in Portsmouth, Va., Nov. 6-8, marking the group's inaugural participation in such an event. MCAG serves as the Navy's experts in planning and conducting civil–military operations, focusing on maritime disciplines and the near-shore operational environment in support of the nation's maritime strategy. These forces are designed to complement and expand current civil affairs capability in the Army and Marine Corps and fill a warfighting gap for the Navy. The conference brought together civil affairs leaders to address current challenges and the future of civil affairs.