Energizing Naval & Coast Guard Missions
Moises DelToro at GE Vernovaâs Power Conversion business, discusses how deploying a Shipâs Electric Grid is a flexible way to accommodate growing energy demands for naval and coast guard vessels.A new age of electrificationWeâre in a new naval era and it is reshaping views about fleet mixes and capabilities. Modern fleets need to be mission-configurable, highly capable for military advantage, adaptable for technology insertion, but still affordable. The growing demand for vessel power is increasingly an enabler for mission systems, not just for platform propulsion.
The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed
The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it canât 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 progressâŚ
U.S. Navy Shipbuilders & Disaggregated, Dispersed Production
With a lame-duck CNO, a divided Congress and the impending launch of the next Presidential election cycle, Americaâs naval market is locked into something of a fragile and fearful autopilot, cruising inexorably towards whatever excitement 2024 might bring.Materially, donât expect much change: The demand for naval platforms will continue to outstrip available funding, meaning there will be little movement or growth in Americaâs major shipbuilding programs of record. The procurement outlines are already set.
US Naval Construction Group 2 Welcomes Its First Woman Commander
Captain Constance Solina relieved Capt. Jeff Deviney as commander, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2, during a change of command ceremony on July 7 to become the first woman to commanded an NCG and all Atlantic-based Seabees. (The Seabee nickname is a heterograph of the initial letters "CB" from the words "Construction Battalion".)Deviney, from Freer, Texas, led 4,500 personnel over the course of two years and oversaw their manning, training, and equipment readiness needs to ensure they deployed on time to five separate combatant commands.
Lockheed Martin Scores $2 Billion US Navy Contract
The U.S.
Ingalls Awarded Advanced Planning Contract for Zumwalt-Class Ships
HII announced its Ingalls Shipbuilding division was awarded a $10.5 million contract for the modernization period planning of Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001).Zumwalt-class destroyers feature a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and are equipped with advanced warfighting technology and weaponry. These ships will be capable of performing a range of deterrenceâŚ
Great Ships '22: USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125)
The Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer - The worldâs most successful post-war surface combatantsThe USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class of guided missile destroyers can rightfully be called the most successful class of surface combatants in the post-World War II era. The lead ship was commissioned in 1991, and the Navy is still building them at Huntington Ingalls Industries Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. A total of 89 have been procured through FY2022âŚ
Ingalls Awarded DDG 1002 Combat Systems Availability Contract
Global defense and technologies partner HII announced on Monday that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to begin the combat systems availability for the Zumwalt-class destroyer, Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002). During this availability, Ingalls will complete the installation, activation and testing of the combat systems to ensure a fully functional system is ready to operate in the Navy fleet, as part of the Navyâs phased delivery approach.âHII is excited to support our Navy colleagues in bringing this new capability to the fleetâŚ
US Navy: Building Small Combatants to Create Force Structure and Capability
The U.S. Navy needs more ships. And that means the Navy has to build more ships than it is decommissioning.The sea service has a stated a goal of 355 ships, and as many as 500 and more when unmanned platforms are counted. There are 298 ships in the fleet today. For surface ships, this number includes a high-low mix of highly capable large surface combatants, and smaller ships such as littoral combat ships LCS).The Navyâs smallest combatants are the 330-ton, 197-foot coastal patrol boats (PCs). Up until recently, ten of them have been serving in the Middle East with the U.S.
Green Marine: Electrification is the Power behind âFuture-Proofingâ
There's an âelectrification of the seasâ happening for navies around the world.Whether it's to achieve greater military capabilities, operational economics and efficiencies or to be better stewards of the environment.There's a trend moving from direct mechanical drives towards more flexible electrical propulsion systems. Ships can still have the same propellers and engines, but they now have a much more flexible power system architecture that benefits design, operations and sustainment.âWith an electric propulsion system, we can connect to the same gas turbine or diesel.
Course Correction for DDG 1000, Navy Will Replace Main Battery for Guided Missile Destroyer
The U.S. Navyâs controversial USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class of guided missile destroyers raises the legitimate question of whether a ship is too transformational, or not transformational enough.While the Navy Fact File states that DDG 1000 is the âlargest and most technologically advanced surface combatant in the world,â itâs a program that has been in existence for many years. It began as the SC-21 (Surface Combatant for the 21st century) research and development program in 1994, which included the âarsenal shipâ concept.
Final Zulmwalt-class Destroyer Departs Bath Iron Works
The third and final Zulmwalt-class destroyer built for the U.S. Navy sailed away from General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard in Bath, Maine on Wednesday.Crewed by BIW shipbuilders, the warship Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) is heading to Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding in in Pascagoula, Miss. for final outfitting, combat systems installation, testing and activation.At 610 feet long with an 80.7-foot beam and 15,995 metric tons displacement, Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) guided missile destroyers are the largest and most technologically advanced surface combatant in U.S.
U.S. Navy: Constellation-class Brings Frigates Back to the U.S. Fleet
Introducing a new class of warship can be fraught with pain, and the first ship is always the hardest â almost always behind schedule and over budget. And trying something new and transformational is even harder.The U.S. Navy knows this from experience. Thatâs one reason why the Navy is opting for a lower risk design for its next class of guided missile frigates (FFGs).Just about every new class has experienced a rough start. Although the USS Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers (DDGs) today represent the largest and most successful class of warshipsâŚ
Future USS Lyndon B. Johnson Conducts Builderâs Trials
The U.S. Navy's future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) recently conducted builderâs trials, consisting of in-port and at-sea demonstrations that allow the shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and the Navy to assess the shipâs systems.âTrials provide an opportunity for the Navy and industry team to test the capability and readiness of the ship,â Capt. Matthew Schroeder, DDG 1000 program manager, Program Executive (PEO) Ships. âDDG 1002 is a warship that is going to equipâŚ
Future USS Daniel Inouye Completes Acceptance Trials
The future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) completed acceptance trials February 4 after spending a day underway off the coast of Maine.INSURV inspected the ship during a series of demonstrations while pier side and underway. Many of the shipâs onboard systems, including navigation, damage control, mechanical and electrical systems, combat systems, communications, and propulsion applications, were tested to validate performance and met or exceeded Navy specifications.âFollowing an outstanding Combined Alpha and Bravo trials this past DecemberâŚ
Electric Propulsion: The Dawn of a New Generation of Marine Power?
Technological advancement is opening new doors for hybrid and fully electric vessels.In mid-2020, the U.S. Navy accepted the delivery of the USS Zumwalt, the Navyâs first full-electric power and propulsion surface combatant. The shipâs new electric propulsion plant provides favorable efficiency coupled with a reduced total cost of ownership. The design is flexible and efficient to deliver power where itâs needed, when itâs needed. Its adoption is symbolic of a maritime future and what could be in store for other marine craftâŚ
Navy Accepts Delivery of USS Zumwalt
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of its first Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on April 24 following Combat Systems Activation.The ship will transition to the next phase of developmental and integrated at-sea testing. This event marks a major milestone of the dual delivery approach for USS Zumwalt, which achieved Hull Mechanical & Electrical delivery from shipbuilder General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works in May 2016. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems was the prime contractor for the Zumwalt Combat SystemâŚ
Bath Iron Works Begins Building Next US Navy Destroyer
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.
Seaspan Shipyards Awards JSS Contract to INDAL Technologies
Canadian shipbuilder Seaspan Shipyards has awarded Ontario-based INDAL Technologies Inc. a contract valued at almost $20M for work on Canadaâs new Joint Support Ships (JSS).INDAL represents one of more than 60 Ontario suppliers to date that Seaspan is working with to meet its commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), said a press release.INDAL is providing its Aircraft Ship Integrated Securing & Traversing (ASIST) System for JSS. The ASIST System is a state-of-the-art integrated helicopter handling system for surface combatants.The System provides the functionality necessary to support helicopter handling, including deck securing on touchdown, on-deck manoeuvring and traversing to/from the hangar space, and helicopter launch.
Bath Iron Works Wins Contract for Fifth DDG 51 Destroyer
The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a contract to build a fifth DDG 51 destroyer as part of the multi-year award announced in September. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).In the most recent multi-year competition, BIW was awarded four ships. The Navy held a separate competition for an option ship as part of its commitment to growing the fleet. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer will be funded in the FiscalâŚ
Navy of the Future: The Revolution & Evolution of Surface Combatants
Following the drawdown at the end of the Cold War, the Navy finds itself trying to build up again. The expansion of Russian and Chinese naval power has changed the calculus. While there will always be a debate about the final number of ships to build, we can all agree on one thing: the Navy must get bigger and the demand signal is to start building now,â said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, in testimony before Congress regarding the sea serviceâs 2019 budget request.
US Navy: 355-Ship Fleet is the Mandate, Funding It is Fuzzy
As Congress wrestles with the budget, there is at least a bipartisan consensus that defense spending should grow, and that includes growing the Navyâs fleet. The current goal is 355 ships, an admirable goal, but an objective that faces many cost hurdles. The surface fleet (which excludes submarines and aircraft carriers) needs to grow in capability and capacity. The numbers of ships being procured or envisions would increase as the total n umber of ships increases, but the number in this story represents current program status.
First Daegu-class Frigate Delivered to Korean Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has taken delivery of its first Daegu-class (FFX-II) frigate. South Koreaâs defense procurement agency, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) formally handed over the ship to the Navy, the first of an eight-ship program. As well as the controllable pitch propellers, Rolls-Royce is on contract to provide the main propulsion power for the first four FFX-II ships with the Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine as part of a hybrid propulsion system, specifically designed to enhance Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities. Eight Daegu-class frigates are scheduled to be built, the first of which is being built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME).