The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed
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…
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 Navy’s 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.
Raytheon to Supply Navy Unmanned Vessel Sonar
Raytheon Company awarded a sub-contract from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for its latest medium frequency hull-mounted sonar system. The sub-contract is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program. According to the U.S. Navy , 43 nations operate more than 600 submarines; the steady increase in undersea vessels makes tracking a challenge. Raytheon's Modular Scalable Sonar System (MS3) will integrate into SAIC's prototype trimaran vessel as the primary search and detection sonar. The systemis designed to provide search, detection, passive-threat filtering, localization and tracking capabilities without requiring human operation.
Navy Rolls Out Littoral Combat Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Package
A ceremony to mark the rollout of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission module for the littoral combat ship (LCS) was held Sept. 19 at Naval Base Point Loma. The Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Space and Naval Warfare Command (SPAWAR) and Space and Naval Warfare Systems, San Diego, hosted the event. According to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisitions, Anne Sandel, this is the third mission package to be released for use with the LCS class of ships.
Navy to Roll Out New Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Package
The Navy will roll out its new anti-submarine warfare mission package for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) in a ceremony Sept. 19 at Naval Base Point Loma Naval Mine & ASW Command Complex, San Diego. Vice Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Rear Adm. Mike Shatynski; Principal Civilian Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research and Development, Jim Thomsen; Deputy Director of Surface Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Rear Adm. Michael K. Mahon; Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Rear Adm. Michael C. Bachmann; Program Executive Officer for Littoral and Mine Warfare, E. Anne Sandel; and Commodore, LCS Class Squadron, Capt. Lewis Chris Nygard, are all scheduled to speak at the event.
Navy Prepares Remote Minehunting System as Future Asset
The Navy completed technical evaluation and training of the Remote Minehunting System (RMS) aboard USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) in Panama City on July 28. The evaluation enables the Navy to continue training on the system, designed as part of the mine warfare mission package for the littoral combat ship. "This is all in preparation for the operational evaluation (OPEVAL) to be conducted in the South Florida Test Facility this September," said Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City RMS Project Engineer Keith Hartless. Senior Chief Mineman Paul King of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Detachment 1 praised RMS as cutting-edge technology during his pierside preparations. "This is the future in the making," said King.
Navy Evaluates Remote Minehunting System
The Navy completed technical evaluation and training of the remote minehunting system (RMS) aboard USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) in July 28. The evaluation enables the Navy to continue training on the system, designed as part of the mine warfare mission package for the Littoral Combat Ship. "This is all in preparation for the operational evaluation (OPEVAL) to be conducted in the South Florida Test Facility this September," said Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City RMS Project Engineer Keith Hartless.
SECNAV Views ASW Exercise Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
The Honorable Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy, and several reporters visited the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Jan. 26 to observe how the Navy conducts Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training using mid-frequency, active sonar while protecting marine life. The strike group is off the coast of Southern California conducting the training under the terms of a preliminary injunction that was partially and temporarily stayed in federal district court. The strike group was participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) to prepare it for an overseas deployment. "It is incredibly important for me to stay current on what is happening and see the changes that are implemented," Winter said.
Navy to Host USV Technology Workshop
Anti-Submarine Warfare Oct. 18-20 in Washington, DC. design for support of Littoral Combat Ships missions. USVs offer capability for anti-submarine warfare and other warfare missions. Advanced Developmental Model. and will discuss their results in this forum. and related support equipment. City detachments.
