Surface Strike News

Shipbuilder Bath Iron Works (BIW) has officially started construction of the future USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), the U.S. Navy announced. The new warship will be the first Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built in the Flight III configuration at BIW.The milestone was marked by a ceremony on Tuesday at General Dynamics BIW's structural fabrication facility in Brunswick, Maine.Flight III destroyers will have improved capability and capacity to perform Anti-Air Warfare and Ballistic Missile Defense in support of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense mission.

The U.S. Navy will commission its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer -- arguably the most successful shipbuilding series in naval history -- the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), during a ceremony July 27 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL.The ship is named in honor of Paul Robert Ignatius, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics) 1964-1967, and Secretary of the Navy 1967-1969.Secretary of the Navy Richard V.

The U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers program notched two shipbuilding milestones with the recent start of construction at shipyards Bath Iron Works (BIW) in Bath, Maine, and Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss.Construction of the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) officially began on May 17 at BIW, where the ship's namesake, Col. Harvey "Barney" Barnum, Jr. (Ret.), was on hand to mark the start of fabrication on the ship.In Pascagoula, construction of the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) officially began May 7.

The keel of future guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121) was ceremoniously laid Feb. 21 at Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard. Although official construction of DDG 121 began April 2016, the keel laying symbolically recognizes the ceremonial beginning of the ship. The keel was said to be "fairly and truly laid" and was authenticated by D'Arcy Neller, the ship's sponsor, and Donald Brabston, a master Ingalls shipbuilder. "The keel laying is the symbolic first step in shaping our nation's newest destroyer," said Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "The ship will be a lasting tribute to Frank E. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. was the first African-American aviator and the first African-American Marine Corps general.

The US Navy’s USS Mississippi nuclear-powered submarine has arrived in South Korea as part of its maiden voyage to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, says US military statement. With a crew of approximately 141 Sailors, Mississippi will conduct a multitude of missions while maintaining proficiency of the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet. “This port call to Busan is a great opportunity,” said Cmdr. Eric Rozek, Mississippi’s Commanding Officer. “The visit allows the crew to contact their loved ones back home following several weeks at sea. Part of the Navy’s 7th fleet, the Virginia-class attack sub is on its maiden voyage with a crew of 141 sailors. The 78-hundred-ton Virginia-class submarine of the U.S. Pacific Fleet was commissioned in June 2012.

The future USS John Finn (DDG 113) was launched at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard March 28. During launch the drydock was flooded allowing the 637-foot floating dock to slowly submerge until the ship was afloat. Once the drydock was fully submerged, the ship was pulled by tugs to HII's south berth where the ship will continue outfitting in preparation for test and activation and eventual delivery to the Navy. The next major milestone is the ship's Aegis system light off planned for later this year.

More than 7,300 Sailors from 17 commands and three staffs left their homeports Nov. 5 as Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) deployed to the Central Command Area of Operations as part of the ongoing rotation to support Maritime Security Operations in the region. According to Rear Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 10, the mission of the HSTCSG is to be ready, when called upon, to support theater commanders. He emphasized that throughout all operations, safety will remain a primary focus. "We are a robust strike group able to support the needs of our president," Gortney said. The strike group returned from participating in Bold Step in early August, wrapping up a month-long Composite Training Unit Exercise and Joint Task Force Exercise.

Northrop Grumman Corp. Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) combat system. communication system. Facility in Pittsfield, Mass. Independence (LCS-2) and put into sea trials in 2008. The ICMS is the U.S. for lower acquisition and operational costs. ships from 14 different nations. from hull form. expeditionary strike groups or surface strike groups. is the second LCS to be built.

VT Halter Marine announced a contract modification worth $165m by the US Navy for the Egyptian Navy’s Fast Missile Craft (FMC) project. This modification enables VT Halter Marine, as the prime contractor, to procure long lead time materials which include items, equipment and or components that need to be developed in advance of the required delivery dates due to their complex nature. VT Halter Marine secured the Phase I functional design contract for $28.8m on 30 November 2005. This contract modification was issued as a letter contract with a not-to-exceed price of $165m, which brings the total amount awarded on this program to approximately $194m. The program value could grow to more than $450m after Phase II is added to the contract.

The Navy announced today that the first four Littoral Combat Ships LCS) will be homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif. scale. efficiencies are developed. Quadrennial Defense Review. establish synergy between the ships and with local commands," said Vice Adm. Terry Etnyre, commander, Naval Surface Forces, based in Coronado, Calif. innovative and tailored mission modules. unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors, and mission-manning detachments. warfighting missions. warship designed to provide assured access for our joint forces. carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups or surface strike groups. The innovative concepts in LCS do not end with its modularity. maintenance, logistics, training and administration. Independence (LCS 2), on Jan. 19, 2006.

The guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) will deploy May 2 on its maiden voyage as part of the Global War on Terrorism Surface Strike Group (GWOT SSG) 06-2. This deployment has come sooner than expected for the ship’s crew and is part of a surge deployment under the Navy's Fleet Response Plan. “When I first heard of the surge deployment, I was a little surprised, as was the rest of the crew,” said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) Adam Tabbert. This “surge” deployment of James E. Williams is designed to be flexible and will provide presence and strike power to support joint and allied forces afloat and ashore. Under the Fleet Response Plan, a simple realignment of schedules makes this deployment possible. James E.

More than 700 Sailors on two surface ships “surged” April 18 as part of the Global War on Terrorism Surface Strike Group (GWOT SSG) 06-2 from their homeports in Norfolk, Va. and Mayport, Fla. The amphibious transport dock USS Trenton (LPD 14), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, with embarked LAMPS Detachment, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44, Det. 9 deployed. The guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) homeported at Naval Station Norfolk will depart at a later date to join the group. As a surface strike group, Trenton, Hue City, and James E. Williams will enhance naval presence for combatant commanders in support of the ongoing global war on terrorism.

VT Halter Marine Inc., secured a $28.8m contract award to develop a functional design of a Fast Missile Craft (FMC) for the Government of Egypt. The second phase of this program will include production design work and construction of up to three vessels. The program value could grow to more than $450m after Phase II is added to the contract. The Government of Egypt entered into agreements with the United States Government to purchase the Fast Missile Craft as a Foreign Military Sale (FMS), a program through which eligible foreign governments purchase defense articles, services, and training from the US Government. Completion of Phase I and start of Phase II are planned as seamless consecutive events.

More than 600 Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and the frigate USS Carr (FFG 52), homeported in Norfolk, deployed Nov. 28 in support of the global war on terrorism, according to a Naval Newsstand report. Porter and Carr will participate in regional exercises with allies as a Surface Strike Group (SSG). The SSG will make diplomatic port calls and respond to any contingency operations, including those associated with the war on terrorism. The ships will be operating from the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and off the west coast of Africa. The SSG is a flexible group that can operate independently or in conjunction with other maritime forces to provide support for joint and allied forces. Source: Naval Newsstand

More than 600 sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Porter and the guided missile frigate USS Carr, homeported in Norfolk, Va., will deploy Nov. 28 in support of the global war on terrorism, Hampton News Channel reports. As a Surface Strike Group, Porter and Carr will participate in regional exercises with allies, make diplomatic port calls and respond to any contingency operations including those associated with the ongoing war on terrorism. The SSG can operate independently or in conjunction with other maritime forces. It is designed to be a flexible group that will provide presence with a purpose and strike power to support joint and allied forces afloat and ashore. Source: Hampton News Channel