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Donald Winter News

21 Sep 2021

Australian Documents Showed French Submarine Project was at Risk for Years

(File photo: Royal Australian Navy)

France should not have been surprised that Australia cancelled a submarine contract, as major concerns about delays, cost overruns and suitability had been aired officially and publicly for years, Australian politicians said.Paris has recalled its ambassadors from Canberra and Washington, saying it was blindsided by Canberra's decision to build nuclear-powered submarines with the United States and Britain rather than stick with its contract for French diesel submarines.Yet as early as September 2018, an independent oversight board led by a former U.S.

17 Dec 2016

Ten Appointments to Australian Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the appointment of 10 Board Members to the Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Donald Winter. “The establishment of the Advisory Board is an important milestone in the Government’s naval shipbuilding strategy, ensuring expert, independent advice to Government on all aspects of this historical national endeavour,” Minister Pyne said. Mr Martin Bean, CBE – Vice Chancellor and President of RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia and former Vice Chancellor of The Open University in the United Kingdom. Mr Mike Burgess – After leaving the position of Chief Information Security Officer for Telstra, he is now a Strategic Cyber Security Adviser and Consultant.

05 Jun 2015

Panel to Oversee Australian Submarine Program

With France, Germany and Japan having confirmed their participation as potential international partners in the Australia’s future submarine programme, the Government today announces the establishment of the Expert Advisory Panel, which will oversee the competitive evaluation process. The Expert Advisory Panel will assure the Government that the competitive evaluation process remains sound, is conducted in accordance with probity and accountability principles, and that participants have been treated fairly and equitably. *Mr Jim McDowell, a member of the First Principles Review team with extensive Defence experience. Collectively, these advisers share extensive experience in complex military acquisition programs, legal and probity matters, and major projects.

09 Dec 2014

RAN's Warfare Destroyer Program Being Revamped

In a joint press release the Australian Minister for Finance Senator Mathias Cormann and Minister for Defence David Johnston stated. that the shipbuilding expertise will to be inserted into the Air Warfare Destroyer program. In this regards the release said,"We are taking the next major step to put the $8.5 billion Air Warfare Destroyer program back on track to deliver critical capability for the Royal Australian Navy. Following competitive procurement processes, BAE Systems, Navantia SA and Raytheon Australia will take on increased roles in the Air Warfare Destroyer program for an interim period. They confirmed that the Government is…

13 Mar 2009

Seaway Corp Infrastructure Renewal Funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) will initiate its planned 10-year program this year to modernize the infrastructure of the U.S. portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway, following President Obama’s signing on March 11 of the omnibus appropriations bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year 2009. The bill includes a total of $31.8m for the Seaway, which serves the Great Lakes region of North America. The enacted funding includes more than $17m allocated to 17 projects under the Seaway’s Asset Renewal Program (ARP). A significant amount of the ARP funding in FY 2009 will benefit the regional economy surrounding the two U.S. locks in Massena, N.Y. “After 50 years of continuous use, the U.S.

09 Mar 2009

Navy Names LCS USS Fort Worth

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced March 6 that the newest littoral combat ship (LCS) will be named USS Fort Worth. The announcement continues the practice of naming the agile LCS vessels after American midsized cities, small towns and communities. For more than 150 years, the citizens of Fort Worth have supported the Navy and all of the country’s men and women in uniform. Home to ranger outposts, training facilities, aviation depots, and defense manufacturing, Fort Worth has answered the call whenever our nation needed it. Designated LCS-3, the future USS Fort Worth is designed to defeat littoral threats and provide access and dominance in coastal waters for missions such as mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare.

04 Dec 2008

Navy Ships Named for American Pioneers

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced the names of four new Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ships (T-AKE) as Matthew Perry, Charles Drew, Washington Chambers and William McLean. All of the Lewis and Clark ships are named in honor of American explorers and pioneers and are being built by General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif. The selection of Matthew Perry, designated T-AKE 9, honors Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858), who led a squadron of ships to Japan in 1853 with the aim of opening that nation to trade. He served during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, and was sent to suppress piracy and the slave trade in the West Indies. The selection of Charles Drew, designated T-AKE 10, honors Dr. Charles R.

19 Nov 2008

Navy Carrier Potential Move Controversial

The Virginian-Pilot reported that the Navy’s preference to base a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Mayport Naval Station reignited the political rivalry between Florida and Virginia for Navy ships, sailors and the economic activity associated with them. The move would cost $426 million and could divert 3,200 sailors and civilian personnel from Virginia to Florida and take at least six years to prepare for. A final decision by Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter is expected by the end the year. Virginia officials immediately criticized the decision as costly, inefficient and politically motivated. They vowed to fight the proposal. (Source: The Virginian-Pilot)

19 Nov 2008

Navy Finds New Ship Unsat

According to a report from Reuters, U.S. Navy Secretary Donald Winter said he remained unhappy about the performance of the USS San Antonio, the first in a new class of LPD 17 amphibious ships being built by Northrop Grumman Corp. Winters gave a speech on Monday, Nov. 17, at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, a nonpartisan think tank. In his speech, Winters said it was important for the Navy and industry to show greater accountability for any problems. (Source: Reuters)

07 Nov 2008

Navy to Commission First LCS

The Navy's first littoral combat ship (LCS) Freedom will be commissioned Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony at Veterans Park, Milwaukee, Wis. Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Birgit Smith, the ship's sponsor, is the widow of Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The name of the new ship acknowledges the enduring…

08 Oct 2008

LCS 2 Christened

The General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team (GD LCS Team) christened the LCS 2 Independence October 4, on the waters of the at the Austal USA shipyard. Present at the Christening Ceremony were over 1,000 guests and dignitaries. The Ship Sponsor was Doreen A. Scott, wife of the 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Terry D. Scott. She was joined by her daughter, Maid of Honor, Lauren A. Scott, but her daughter, Matron of Honor Ensign Lindsay Fatz, USN, was out of the country on orders.

15 Feb 2008

Testing of Virginia Class Submarines is Underway

The TECHEVAL marks the first of many milestones being accomplished by the Virginia Class Program this year. North Carolina (SSN 777), the fourth ship of the class, is scheduled for delivery later this month and will be commissioned on May 3 in Wilmington, N.C. The fifth Virginia Class ship, New Hampshire (SSN 778), will be christened June 21 at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Groton, Conn., facility and is scheduled to deliver in August or September – seven to eight months before its contract delivery date. New Mexico (SSN 779), the seventh Virginia, will have its keel laid on April 12 at the Northrop Grumman Newport News facility in Newport News, Va. On Jan.

31 May 2007

Navy Secretary Names New Combat Logistics Ship

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced on May 29 his decision to name the Navy's newest underway replenishment vessel, USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6). The name honors Amelia Mary Earhart for her courage, vision, and groundbreaking achievements, both in aviation and for women. Amelia Earhart's name became a household word in 1932 when she became the first woman -- and second person --to fly solo across the Atlantic, on the fifth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's feat, flying a Lockheed Vega from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland to Londonderry, Ireland. That year, she received the Distinguished Flying Cross from the Congress, the Cross of Knight of the Legion of Honor from the French government, and the Gold Medal of the National Geographic Society from President Herbert Hoover.

13 Apr 2007

Navy Terminates Lockheed Martin LCS Contract

The U.S. Navy Thursday said it was canceling a widely criticized Lockheed Martin Corp. contract to build a next-generation combat ship after negotiations to control cost overruns failed. Lockheed Martin Corporation expressed disappointment over the U.S. Navy's decision to terminate its contract for construction of the second of two new Littoral Combat Ships (LCS.) The Navy announced the action at the expiration of a 90-day stop work order imposed on the second ship in January to allow the service time to review costs associated with construction of the first LCS. On March 15, Navy Secretary Donald Winter announced that the stop work order would be lifted only if Lockheed Martin agreed to accept a fixed price incentive contract for its second ship.

09 Apr 2007

Lockheed, Navy Could Reach Deal on Ships

U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin could reach a preliminary agreement as early as next week on how much the defense contractor will be paid for a pair of next-generation combat ships according to the AP. Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter has indicated he plans to strike a deal with Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. ahead of an April 12 deadline after a stop-work order was placed on one of its ships due to cost overruns, Capt. Beci Brenton, spokeswoman for Winter's office, said on Friday. Senior Navy officials in January placed a 90-day stop-work order on the second of two ships Lockheed is building as part of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program so they could conduct a cost review.

09 Apr 2007

Carl Vinson Earns the 2006 Admiral Vern Clark Safety Award

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) "Gold Eagle" was awarded the 2006 Admiral Vern Clark Safety award during a ceremony in Washington D.C., April 3. Carl Vinson’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Ted Carter, received the award from the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Donald Winter. The award is named after retired Adm. Vern Clark who served as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) from July 21, 2000, until his retirement July 22, 2005, making his five-year tenure the second longest serving as CNO. The “Gold Eagle” earned the prestigious award for its innovative safety planning directly improving overall safety for the command, as well as the crew’s ability to create a climate where safety consideration is an integral part of the command’s mission.

05 Apr 2007

Navy Official Warns on Cost Overruns

A senior Navy official is warning that rising costs in key programs such as Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics' next-generation surface combat ships could derail efforts by the department to modernize its fleet and aircraft. The Navy has awarded contracts for four ships that initially were estimated to cost $270 million each under the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, two to Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. and two to Falls Church, Va.-based General Dynamics Corp. But the cost of Lockheed's first ship - which is roughly 73 percent completed - has already soared to roughly $350 million, according to the Navy. The Navy ordered a halt to work on the Lockheed's second ship in January while it conducted a program review.

09 Oct 2006

George H. W. Bush Aircraft Carrier Christened

christened the nation's 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). President of the United States, George H. history to participate in the christening of his namesake ship. to sea," Bush said. the commander in chief to be on board. daughter, Doro Bush Koch. Mrs. sparkling wine across the ship's bow during the ceremony. President George W. during the ceremony as a special guest speaker. George H.W. Virginia Senators John Warner and George Allen; Virginia Gov. Kaine; Adm. Michael Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations; Ronald D. and Mike Petters, president of Northrop Grumman Newport News. aircraft carriers. heat, freezing cold and in the rain," he said. "It is dangerous work. It is difficult and demanding work. And it is noble work.

09 Feb 2007

Subcommittee Calls Public Hearing on LCS

The Navy’s ship for future sea warfare has become so problematic a congressional subcommittee has called a public hearing to get immediate answers. The Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee will hear from those responsible for the Littoral Combat Ship program. In recent weeks, the program to build a fast, flexible and lightly manned warship has been beset with issues. Its advertised price of $220 million per hull rose dramatically to estimates toward $400 million a piece. The Navy wants 55 of the frigate-sized, shallow draft ships, making it a cornerstone of the future fleet. It’s designed to operate close to shore with a ship’s crew of just 40 sailors and a mission crew and air detachment of 35.

13 Feb 2007

Navy Updates 30-year Fleet Plan

The updated U.S. 30-year fleet construction plan require more surface combatants and fewer expeditionary warfare ships, but preserves the goal of a 313-ship fleet, Defense News reported. The plan, approved Feb. 2 by Navy Secretary Donald Winter, is updated every year and sent to Congress along with the U.S. president's annual budget, according to the report. While the numbers required for individual types of ships such as submarines and aircraft carriers haven't been altered, the 2008 plan improves the building rate for surface combatants in the far- term period -- those years from 2021 to 2037. Instead of building two ships per year, the revised plan requires building three ships in every year beginning in 2025.

15 Jan 2007

HALT! Navy Issues Stop Work Order for LCS 3

The Navy issued a stop work order Jan. 12 to Lockheed Martin Corp. Maritime Systems & Sensors unit, Moorestown, N.J., for the construction of the third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). This stop work order will take effect immediately and is for a period of 90 days. The stop work order was issued because of significant cost increases currently being experienced with the construction of LCS-1 and LCS-3, under construction by Lockheed Martin. “I determined that at this point in time it was critical to stop work on LCS-3 to assess the LCS program and ensure we understand the program’s cost and management processes before we move forward. It is essential that we complete LCS 1 and get it to sea so we can evaluate this new ship design” said Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter.

15 Jan 2007

Navy Issues Stop Work Order for LCS 3

The first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1) is shown under construction in Marinette, Wis. The Navy issued a stop work order Jan. 12 to Lockheed Martin Corp. Maritime Systems & Sensors unit, Moorestown, N.J., for the construction of the third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). This stop work order will take effect immediately and is for a period of 90 days. The stop work order was issued because of significant cost increases currently being experienced with the construction of LCS-1 and LCS-3, under construction by Lockheed Martin. “I determined that at this point in time it was critical to stop work on LCS-3 to assess the LCS program and ensure we understand the program’s cost and management processes before we move forward.

21 Mar 2007

U.S. Navy Asserts State Secrets in Sonar Case

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday said it had asserted the "state secrets" privilege in a lawsuit by environmental groups, a move to keep the military from being forced to disclose classified information about the use of sonar believed to injure whales and other animals. The state secrets privilege, if upheld, renders information unavailable for litigation. It can be challenged, although the federal government often succeeds in asserting the protection. The Navy action is the latest in a string of Pentagon moves to derail the group's lawsuit. The Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental groups say sonar used in routine training and testing violates environmental laws. They also argue the Navy's sonar injures and kills marine mammals, including whales and dolphins.