Uss New News

US Navy Submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) Christened

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) christened pre-commissioning unit New Jersey (SSN 796) at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division.“The christening is a Navy and shipbuilder tradition that celebrates the hard work and dedication of the women and men who are building this magnificent submarine, readying her for the next phase of construction, which includes launch, testing, sea trials and delivery to the Navy,” said Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding.

Great Ships and The Ship Designer’s Curse

For the Design issue Greg Trauthwein asked me to write about a favorite ship design. I have no favorite ship design, or should say there are simply too many that are truly worthy of mention. But when considering favorite designs, ship designers (and builders) do carry a strange curse. Unique among engineers (and artists, architects, and industrial designers) their creations only live for about 30 years. With very few exceptions, in their own life time, ship designers get to see the disassembly of most of their creations. I am not aware of any other creations that are so readily tossed aside.

Five Minutes with George Whittier, CEO, Fairbanks Morse

Fairbanks Morse recently won an order by Huntington Ingalls Industries to build and deliver the four main propulsion diesel engines that will power the U.S. Navy’s newest Landing Platform/Dock (LPD) ship, LPD 31, the second of 13 in the LPD Flight II class of ships. We caught up with George Whittier, CEO, for his insights on this contract, COVID-19 and business overall.How long have you been at the helm at Fairbanks Morse?I returned to Fairbanks Morse in January where I previously served as CEO from 2009 to 2012.

USS Iwo Jima and USS New York Underway

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, Adm. Phil Davidson, has ordered the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), with elements from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to get underway from their homeport in Mayport Oct. Both ships are directed to be in position to support the gulf coast region in the event assistance is needed following Tropical Storm Nate, which is currently projected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall. Once employed, our Navy and Marine Corps team has capabilities that will be uniquely effective in disaster relief efforts. To support these capabilities, the combined aircraft on the two ships are three U.S.

USS Iwo Jima, USS New York Return to Mayport

The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), along with multiple embarked Navy and Marine Corps units, completed initial rescue and recovery operations in support of federal and state officials Sept. 17, following Hurricane Irma's devastation of the Florida Keys. Iwo Jima and New York are scheduled to return home Sept 19. Led by Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, the Navy and Marine Corps units partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and with state and local officials until civilian authorities and the Florida National Guard could take over long-term recovery operations.

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

First Ship Set to Enter BAE Systems’ New Dry Dock

BAE Systems will dock the first ship in its new floating dry dock, Pride of California, on Thursday, February 23. The docking of the San Diego-based amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) is expected to take up to five hours. The docking was originally planned for Wednesday, February 22, but was pushed back due to high wind conditions in San Diego. At 950 feet long and capable of lifting 55,000 long tons, BAE Systems’ new Pride of California dry dock is the largest floating dry dock in California.

USS New Hampshire Goes for Maintenance

The Virginia-class  nuclear-powered attack submarine USS New Hampshire has arrived at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) for maintenance work, AP reported. It is the fifth Virginia-class submarine and the third U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of the state of New Hampshire. USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) will complete scheduled maintenance work and several system upgrades while in the Shipyard. New Hampshire is the first Virginia-class major maintenance availability for the shipyard since completing the inaugural availability on USS Virginia (SSN 774) in 2012. It is designed to excel in anti-submarine, anti-ship and strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The submarine has a crew of 15 officers and 117 enlisted personnel.

New Dry Dock at BAE Systems’ San Diego Yard

A new 950-foot-long, 55,000-lifting-ton floating dry dock has arrived at BAE Systems’ San Diego shipyard as part of the company’s $100 million investment in the yard to service the anticipated increase of U.S. Navy ships on the West Coast. “We have made the strategic investment to meet the ship repair needs of the Navy,” said Joe Campbell, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Ship Repair. The new floating dry dock arrived at the company’s shipyard towed by the oceangoing and salvage tug Posh Terasea Eagle.

US Navy Awards Repair Work to BAE Systems

BAE Systems today received a $36.7 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the repair and maintenance of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). The New Orleans will be the first ship to be repaired in the company’s new drydock in San Diego. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $51.5 million. BAE Systems will begin work on the 684-foot-long ship in January 2017 and will perform structural and tank repairs, propulsion system repairs and ventilation and auxiliary systems repairs…

This Day In Naval History: July 28

1861 - During the Civil War, the frigate, USS St. Lawrence, spots a schooner flying English colors and gave chase. Some four hours later, as she is overhauling the schooner, the fleeing vessel runs up the Confederate flag and fires three shots. Firing with her forecastle battery, St. Lawrence hits the vessel twice, once in her bow. Survivors from the sunken vessel reveal it had been the Confederate privateer, Petrel. 1926 - USS S-1 surfaces and launches a Cox-Klemin (XS 2) seaplane flown by Lt. D.C. Allen.

This Day In Naval History: May 6

1860 - The sloop-of-war Portsmouth, commanded by John Calhoun, captures the slaver brig Falmouth off Porto Praya. 1908 - The Great White Fleet anchors in San Francisco Bay, Calif. The fleet is delayed from its round-the-world cruise after both Rear Adm. Robley D. Evans and Rear Adm. Charles M. Thomas fall ill. On May 15, Rear Adm. Charles S. Sperry assumed command and completes the cruise ending Feb. 22, 1909. 1916 - The first ship-to-shore radio telephone voice conversation was held on board USS New Hampshire (BB 25) off the Virginia Capes.

This Day In Naval History: April 20

1861 - Union forces burn screw frigate Merrimack and Gosport Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., to prevent Yard facilities and ships from falling into Confederate hands during the Civil War. 1914 - The first call-to-action of naval aviators is given, creating an aviation detachment of three pilots, 12 enlisted men, and three aircraft to join the Atlantic Fleet forces operating off Tampico during the Mexican crisis. 1942 - USS Wasp (CV 7) launches 47 British aircraft to reinforce Malta, repeating the exercise May 9.

This Day In Naval History: April 15

1912 - The scout cruisers USS Chester (CL 1) and USS Salem (CL 3) sail from Massachusetts to assist RMS Titanic survivors, and escort RMS Carpathia, which carried the survivors of the Titanic, to New York. 1914 - USS New York (BB 34) is commissioned. 1918 - First Marine Aviation Force, under the command of Capt. Alfred A. Cunningham, USMC, is formed at Marine Flying Field, Miami, Fla. 1943 - USS Yorktown (CV 10) is commissioned. 1945 - USS Frost (DE 144) and USS Stanton (DE 247) join to attack and sink German submarine U 880 and then German sub U 1235, north of the Azores.

This Day In Naval History: April 5

1943 - USS O'Bannon (DD 450) sinks the Japanese submarine RO 34 near Russell Island, Solomon Islands. 1944 - PB4Y aircraft (VB 109) sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 46 off Wake Island. 1946 - USS New (DD 818), named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Marine Pvt. 1st Class John D. New, is commissioned. 1946 - USS Missouri (BB 63) transports the body of the late Turkish Ambassador to the United States, Mehmet Munir Ertegun, home for burial, on a mission that was also made to influence Soviet Middle East policy.

This Day In Naval History: March 23

1815 - The sloop-of-war USS Hornet captures the brig sloop HMS Penguin after a 22 minute battle, with neither ship aware the War of 1812 is over. 1882 - Secretary of the Navy William H. Hunt (Jan. 7, 1881 to April 16, 1882), creates the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) with General Order No. 292. 1917 - USS New Mexico (BB 40) is launched. She is the first dreadnought with turboelectric drive. 1944 - USS Tunny (SS 282) sinks the Japanese submarine I 42 off the Palau Islands. 1945 - USS Haggard (DD 555) is damaged when she rams and sinks Japanese submarine RO 41 in the Philippine Sea.

This Day In Naval History: March 10

1783 - The last naval action of the American Revolution takes place when the Continental frigate Alliance, commanded by Capt. John Barry, battles HMS Sybil south of Cape Canaveral, Fla. Sybil is damaged in the fight and returns to the two warships that did not join in the battle. 1933 - The Pacific Fleet provides assistance after an earthquake at Long Beach, Calif. 1943 - USS Savannah (CL 42) and USS Eberle (DD 430) intercept German blockade runner Karin in the South Atlantic. After boarding the ship, a timed explosion goes off, killing 11 of Eberles boarding party.

US Navy Submarine to be Named USS New Jersey

The U.S. Navy's next Virginia-class attack submarine will bear the name USS New Jersey, says AP reports. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus hosted a ship-naming ceremony over the weekend in Jersey City, New Jersey, to announce that SSN 796, a Virginia-class attack submarine, will bear the name USS New Jersey. The vessel itself will be seaworthy by 2021, Mabus estimated. It is a nuclear-powered vessel that will never need refueling and should serve in the fleet for 40 years, Mabus said. "New Jersey has a long history in the creation of the modern day submarine," New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez said referencing John Philip Holland, the Irish engineer who designed and built the first submarines in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Two battleships have been named the USS New Jersey previously.

USS New Orleans Conducts Sea Trials

The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) completed a five-day sea trials March 13 following an eight-month planned maintenance period, the U.S. Navy reported. The sea trials gave New Orleans' crew members an opportunity to test a number of shipboard systems including damage control systems, navigational equipment and the propulsion plant following a lengthy maintenance period. The crew also conducted several checks to prepare for its upcoming Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection scheduled to take place later this year. According to Capt.

General Dynamics Delivers North Dakota (SSN-784) to U.S. Navy

General Dynamics Electric Boat yestereday delivered the nuclear-powered attack submarine North Dakota (SSN-784) on time and more than $30 million below target cost. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). North Dakota is the 11th ship of the Virginia Class, which provides the Navy with the capabilities required to retain undersea dominance well into the 21st century. North Dakota will join the fleet in a commissioning ceremony Oct. 25 at the Navy submarine base in Groton. North Dakota is also the first of the eight-ship group of Virginia-class submarines known as Block III. These ships embody a Navy and industry commitment to reduce costs without decreasing capabilities through an initiative comprising a multi-year procurement strategy…

Submarine North Dakota Completes First Voyage

The U.S.’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, North Dakota (SSN-784), returned to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard Tuesday following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas, called alpha sea trials. North Dakota is the 11th ship of the Virginia Class, the most capable class of attack submarines ever built. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (GD). North Dakota’s alpha sea trials included a range of submarine and propulsion-plant operations…

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 28

Today in U.S. 1916 - Navy establishes a Code and Signal Section which initially worked against German ciphers and tested the security of communications during U.S. naval training maneuvers. 1945 - USS Callaghan (DD-792) is last ship sunk by a Japanese kamikaze attack, off Okinawa. 1973 - Launch of Skylab 3, the second manned mission to the first U.S. manned space station, was piloted by Major Jack R. Lousma, USMC with Capt. Alan L. Bean, USN as the Commander of the mission and former Navy electronics officer, Owen K. Garriott as Science Pilot.

BAE Systems Awarded USS New Orleans Drydocking Contract

The U.S. Department of Defense informs that BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is being awarded a US$15,178,728 modification to previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00024-10-C-4407) for 'USS New Orleans' (LPD 18) fiscal 2014 selected restricted availability (SRA). DoD explains that an SRA ncludes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modifications that will update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by December 2014. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) and fiscal 2014 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,178,728 will be obligated at the time of award.