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Stennis Space Center News

17 Oct 2022

Maritime Autonomy Operational Seminar Launched

(Photo: Sea Machines)

A new seminar is the first maritime autonomy training program to allow the federal workforce to train on state-of-the-art, commercial, off-the-shelf autonomous technologies.Sea Machines Robotics’ in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise in Gulfport, Miss. has developed the Maritime Autonomy Operational Seminar through USM's Center of Higher Learning at the John C. Stennis Space Center.Participants plan missions that transform USM's R/V Ken Barbor…

26 Jan 2022

Getting to the Bottom of the Navies' Mine Warfare Challenges

The General Dynamics Mission Systems Bluefin Robotics Knifefish UUV detects, classifies and identifies volume, proud and buried mines in high-clutter underwater environments, and is a critical element of the LCS Mine Countermeasure (MCM) mission package. Knifefish’s job is to detect, avoid and identify mine threats, reducing the risk to personnel by operating in the minefield as an off-board sensor while the host ship stays outside the minefield boundaries. Knifefish also gathers environmental d

To find the mine warfare challenge with the highest degree of difficulty, start at the bottom.Lurking unseen below the surface, naval mines pose a serious problem. They’re cheap, relatively easy to deploy and can inflict heavy damage against even the most sophisticated warships. They can be hard to detect and difficult to counter. What you can’t see can hurt you. And the most difficult mines to find and eliminate are bottom and buried mines. Navies have developed ships to hunt for mines in the water column so they can be avoided or destroyed…

15 Feb 2021

Subsea Defense: Navy Deepens Commitment to Underwater Vehicles

Senior Chief Mineman Abraham Garcia (left) and Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Joshua Gaskill, members of the Knifefish Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) test team, man tending lines during crane operations as part of an operational test conducted by members from Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). Knifefish is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV designed for deployment off the Littoral Combat Ship. OPTEVFOR is the Navy’s sole test and evaluation organization for surface, air, and un

The U.S. Navy uses unmanned and robotic underwater vehicles for a multitude of functions, including environmental sensing, mine hunting, and salvage. The Navy plans to evolve an unmanned systems operating concept that is platform agnostic and capable of operating in highly complex contested environments with minimal operator interaction.The most recent edition of the Navy’s Unmanned Systems (UxS) Roadmap was issued in 2018, and a new version is expected in the near future. The 2018 document states that UxS will operate in every domain…

14 Jul 2020

USMI’s Family Recipe

Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen conduct a Maritime External Air Transportation System training evolution in Moses Lake, Wash. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Prows)

Barry Dreyfus Jr., CEO of United States Marine Inc. (USMI), doesn’t keep the recipe to his company’s success a secret. In fact, it’s displayed plainly for all to see on the homepage of USMI’s website: family, integrity and quality. These have been cornerstones of the 36-year-old firm, today regarded as one of the nation’s premier military small craft builders.Headquartered in Gulfport, Miss., with a maintenance/repair facility in Chesapeake, Va., USMI is a fully integrated manufacturer of military, patrol and special warfare boats available in lengths from 21 feet to 90 feet.

09 Jun 2016

US Navy's New Oceanographic Vessel Sets Sail

Ed Gent, Naval Oceanographic Office engineer, greets Rear Adm. Timothy Gallaudet, commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, as Gallaudet boards USNS Maury (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy's newest oceanographic survey vessel, USNS Maury (T-AGS 66), recently completed its maiden voyage from Pascagoula, Miss., where it was constructed at VT Halter Marine, to Port Everglades near Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. In Maury's first days at sea, the civilian survey detachment from the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) aboard performed initial testing of routine over-the-side operations as well as testing equipment unique to the ship, including underwater cameras which will be used for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) launch and recovery in the future.

20 Nov 2015

USDOT Designates Gulfport, MS as a Strategic Port

The Mississippi State Port Authority was notified by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) that the Port of Gulfport has been designated as a Strategic Seaport by the Commander, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). With this designation, America’s military will be able to utilize the Port of Gulfport for cargo and equipment shipments. This announcement adds to South    Mississippi’s extensive military installations and capabilities. This designation is an important step in the Port of Gulfport’s long-range strategy to become one of the country’s top-tier diversified ports. The Port’s revitalization efforts include the $570million restoration and expansion project…

12 Mar 2015

New Lineup for NOAA Hydrographic Services Panel

The Hydrographic Services Review Panel advises NOAA on improving services for navigation and coastal resilience. (Credit: NOAA)

NOAA administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., has appointed six members to the Hydrographic Services Review Panel, a federal advisory committee that gives NOAA independent advice for improving a range of services and products that support navigation and coastal resilience. Capt. “Providing coastal communities, boaters, and the commercial maritime industry with timely, reliable, accurate, and authoritative information is essential as we strive to keep commerce flowing through our nation’s ports,” Sullivan said. Rear Admiral Ken Barbor (ret.), U.S. Lawson W. Capt. Gary A. Scott R.

22 Nov 2014

Steven Palazzo Visits HII, Newport

Huntington Ingalls Industries today hosted Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., for a tour of the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division. Palazzo represents the fourth district of Mississippi, which includes Newport News' sister shipyard, Ingalls Shipbuilding. The visit provided an opportunity for Palazzo to see nuclear shipbuilding at Newport News and understand the value that Mississippi suppliers contribute to ship construction in Newport News. Palazzo's visit included a tour of aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), which is about 85 percent complete and scheduled for delivery in 2016. Shipbuilding suppliers in Mississippi contribute an average $3.6 million to Newport News' efforts each year.

06 Aug 2014

Mississippi Hosts Fourth Annual National SeaPerch Challenge

108 teams of 451 students from 19 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as a team from New Zealand  competed in the Fourth National SeaPerch Challenge

The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, and the Mississippi Regional SeaPerch Committee in mid-May hosted the Fourth National SeaPerch Challenge on the campus of Southern Miss. It was here that 108 teams of 451 middle and high school students – students from 19 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for a first time ever, and international team from New Zealand – convened at the University’s Payne Center and Johnson Natatorium for a weekend of competition and fun.

19 Jun 2014

Gallaudet Relieves Brown at Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command

Rear Adm. Timothy C. Gallaudet relieved Rear Adm. Brian B. Brown  as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) in a traditional change of command ceremony held June 18 at Stennis Space Center. Gallaudet was promoted to the rank of rear admiral (lower half) just prior to the ceremony. Brown said he felt “blessed and lucky” to have worked with the Navy’s military and civilian oceanography workforce to perform a mission so critical to the warfighting effectiveness and readiness of the fleet and joint force despite personal hardships…

10 Apr 2013

Yes, Oceanographers Can Help Predict Piracy Attacks

The US Naval Meteorology & Oceanography Command named a 2013 Computerworld Honors Laureate for its counter-piracy predictive modelling. The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) received the award for a modeling capability developed by Naval oceanographers at Stennis Space Center that predicts the likelihood of pirate attacks. IDG's Computerworld Honors Program selected NAVMETOCCOM as a 2013 Laureate in the field of Safety and Security for its development of its Pirate Attack Risk Surface (PARS). The PARS model produces a forecast of shipping vulnerability due to piracy at a certain latitude, longitude, and time. A few short months before Somali pirates hijacked the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama in 2009…

07 Aug 2012

Brown Relieves White at Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command

Rear Adm.(lower half) Brian B. Brown relieved Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) in a traditional Navy change of command ceremony on Aug. 3 at Stennis Space Center. "I am blessed to once again be part of the Navy's operational oceanography team and humbled to have been selected among so many talented officers to lead this command," Brown said to Naval Oceanography employees at the ceremony. For the past year, Brown has been the Executive Assistant to the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy in Washington, but he previously served at Stennis as commanding officer and executive officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) and on the NAVMETOCCOM staff. NAVOCEANO is NAVMETOCCOM's largest subordinate command.

27 Aug 2010

MSC Deactivates USNS John McDonnell

Military Sealift Command oceanographic survey ship USNS John McDonnell was delivered to the Navy Inactive Ships Program in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for deactivation Aug. 25. Following the deactivation, MSC retains six Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ships capable of surveying coastal regions and performing full ocean surveys. Construction of a new, more-capable survey ship, T-AGS 66, will start in October. McDonnell's deactivation comes as part of the effort to streamline survey operations. Unlike the Pathfinder class, which is capable of conducting both deep- and shallow-water scans, McDonnell was only equipped with the sensors to conduct shallow-water surveys.

27 May 2010

NOAA, Navy Monitor Ocean Conditions Near Spill

Photo courtesy NOAA

NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson is underway on a mission to deploy a variety of U.S. Navy ocean monitoring instruments in the vicinity of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The floats, drifters and autonomous underwater vehicles will aid researchers in monitoring the surface and deep currents that are distributing the oil. Of particular interest is the Loop Current and its potential to spread the oil to a much wider area. “NOAA is proud to partner with the U.S. Navy in the ongoing…

05 May 2009

Titley New Oceanographer of the Navy

In a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Observatory, Rear Adm. David Titley assumed the office of oceanographer of the Navy, replacing retiring Rear Adm. David A. Gove. Titley will simultaneously maintain his current position as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command until a replacement can be found. Headquartered at the U.S. Naval Observatory, the oceanographer of the Navy serves as the advisor to the chief of naval operations for resources, requirements, and policy with regard to the Naval Oceanography Program. The program, which includes the disciplines of oceanography, hydrography, meteorology, geospatial information and services…

26 Dec 2007

Naval Special Warfare Special Boat Team Conducts MEATS Evolution

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robyn B. Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) from Special Boat Team (SBT) 12, stationed at Naval Base Coronado, Calif., conducted a Maritime External Air Transportation System (MEATS) training evolution, Dec. 12, with the help of a Marine Corps CH-53 helicopter. Typically MEATS is a way to move an 11-meter rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or a special operations craft-riverine (SOC-R) from a point on land or in the water to somewhere else in the water. SWCCs rig the boat to the helicopter as it hovers 10 to 15 feet above their heads and then climb a rope ladder to board the helicopter before transiting to the drop zone, where they will rappel down a line to the boat and prepare to get underway.

08 Aug 2003

Coastal Marine to Supply for X-Craft

Coastal Marine Equipment, Inc. of Stennis Space Center, Miss. USA has been selected by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, WA, to supply the deck machinery for the Navy's new experimental X-Craft under construction there. The weight sensitive equipment, which was designed specifically for the X-Craft, includes two electrically driven anchor winches sized to hold 1,080ft of 1-5/8in diameter wire rope. The winches are in accordance with ABS rules for HSNC (2003) and develop 28,500lbs bare drum line pull and 212,000lbs brake holding. Also included in the package are four vertical, through deck, electrically driven capstans developing 11,000lbs line pull.

18 Dec 2003

Directory: Deck Machinery & Cargo Handling Equipment Directory

3PS, Inc. A. L. ACL INDUSTRIES, INC. Product: A/COM LADDERS, INCLINED LADDERS, VERTICAL LADDERS, GANGWAYS, BATTENS, GRATING, LADDER TREADS, CUSTOM FABRICATIONS IN ALUMINUM, STAINLESS, FIBERGLASS. ISO-9001 REV2000 REGISTERED. ADAMS LAND AND MARINE Ltd. Product: Cargo pumps, Water Pumps, Hoses, Air Compressors, USCG Certified Tankerman,etc. Allied Systems Co. Appleton Marine, Inc. 3030 E. Product: Johnson Cutless Bearings, Duramax DuraCooler, Duramax BoxCooler, Johnson Demountable Keel Coolers, Johnson Stuffing Boxes, Duramax Shaft Seals, Johnson Commercial Fendering and Dock Bumper. E-Crane Intl U.S.A. Hyde Marine, Inc. P.O. InterOcean Systems, Inc. Product: Deck Winches for All Applications & Loads. 79 So. McElroy/Catchot Winch Co. PO. BOX 4632, BILOXI, Miss. Morgan Marine WRM Inc.

27 Apr 2006

Navy Honored by Mississippi Legislature for Katrina Work

The Mississippi state legislature has honored Mississippi Gulf Coast-based Navy commands for their service to their communities in the Hurricane Katrina evacuation and relief effort. State Sen. Scottie Cuevas of Pass Christian, Miss., presented the concurrent resolution April 25 to Rear Adm. Timothy McGee, commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. McGee’s command is based at Stennis Space Center on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The resolution was enacted in the recently adjourned legislative session. “It was very difficult work that nobody [hopes to have] to do,” McGee said of the recovery work that the members of his command did immediately after the storm. Also honored were Cmdr.

05 Oct 2006

Corso Named Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Service

William Corso has been appointed as the new deputy assistant administrator for NOAA's National Ocean Service. Corso will officially assume his duties on November 20. Corso has spent the past seven years working for Lockheed Martin. Currently, he directs the diversified projects group at Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss. He is responsible for cost, schedule, and technical performance of programs supporting government agencies at the Center, including software development in support of naval oceanographic operations worldwide and contributions to the conceptual design of the Integrated Ocean Observing System. Corso also has been director of Lockheed Martin’s remote sensing program…

06 Mar 2007

Undersea Surveillance Aligned Under Naval Oceanography

Commander Undersea Surveillance (CUS), head of the Navy’s Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS), was elevated to an echelon IV command Feb. 28 to serve under the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The move united the Navy’s Undersea Surveillance Command with the Navy’s oceanography community. It culminated several months of discussion and study, continuing the reorganization of NMOC efforts to focus the Navy oceanography community’s activities on the needs of its warfighting customers. NMOC is an Echelon III command under the lead of Fleet Forces Command. CUS, headquartered in Dam Neck, Va., previously was a command serving under the Naval Submarine Force.

30 Oct 2007

Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center Established

The Navy established the Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center (NOMWC), Oct. 26, at Stennis Space Center (SSC) with Cmdr. Paul Oosterling as its first commanding officer. Oosterling is a native of Ontario, N.Y., and a graduate of Florida Institute of Technology, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the Naval War College. He was the executive officer of the Naval Oceanography Operations Command before he was named NOMWC Commanding Officer. NOMWC provides ongoing support for the Navy's mine warfare forces to neutralize threats and to allow for assured access of maritime assets. It also provides the Navy's mine warfare operators with access to products and services of the Naval Oceanographic Office, also located at SSC.

13 May 2005

Taylor: Base Closures "Bone-Headed"

"Back in February 2001, Rumsfeld announced his intention to hold a round of base closures. February 2001 was a whole different world than the one we're in now," said Taylor. "On September 11th, 2001, we were attacked. Since then, we've gone to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. We've declared a global war on terrorism. We're closing bases abroad and bringing home thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. But, Rumsfeld is hell-bent on closing our bases, and he seems to ignore long-term considerations for our nation. Taylor, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, cited Rumsfeld's past missteps, saying, "Rumsfeld sent our troops into war without body armor. He hemmed and hawed on up-armoring our military vehicles.