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Special Operations Command News

03 Sep 2020

Austal USA Delivers USNS Newport (EPF 12)

USNS Newport (EPF 12) (Photo: Austal)

Austal Limited announced Thursday that USNS Newport (EPF 12) has been delivered to the United States Navy from Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, Ala.USNS Newport is the 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship to be delivered to the U.S. Navy – and brings the total number of ships delivered to the Navy by Austal USA to 24 in 10 years, including three this year. USS Oakland (LCS 24) was delivered in June, following the future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) handed over in .Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said…

04 Aug 2020

U.S. Navy's New Fast Transport Ship Passes Acceptance Trials

USNS Newport - Credit: Austal

Shipbuilder Austal has informed that the U.S. Navy's fast-transport ship USNS Newport (EPF 12) has completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. USNS Newport is the 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, for the United States Navy (USN) in less than 8 years.Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said: "Austal’s EPF high-speed catamaran is a true success story, proving to be an invaluable addition to the US Navy’s…

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.

13 Apr 2020

USMI Awarded Contract to Build Special Ops Vesels

United States Marine, Inc. (USMI) has been awarded a $108 million contract to produce vessels for the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).The Gulfport, Miss. based shipbuilder will use the five-year, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contact to build combatant craft assault vessels to support the USSOCOM missions around the world.USMI Chief Executive Office Barry Dreyfus, Jr., indicated the contract would allow the company to retain and possibly expand its workforce.“USMI looks forward to continuing our work on behalf of the warfighter and we appreciate the confidence the United States Special Operations Command continues to have in us. We are also proud to work with the tremendous members and Staff of the Mississippi delegation.

26 Mar 2019

Navy Contracts for Austal USA

Photo courtesy of Austal USA

Austal USA was awarded a $261.8 million contract for the 13th and 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (EPF) by the U.S. Navy, bringing the total value of the 14-ship deal to slightly more than $2 billionThe EPF’s large, open-mission deck and large habitability spaces provide the opportunity to conduct a wide range of missions from engagement and humanitarian assistance to disaster relief, and from maritime security support operations, to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

22 Jan 2019

Tampa Bay’s Cross Bay Ferry a winner for HMS Ferries

The seasonal ferry underway (CREDIT: Cross Bay Ferry)

The Ferry’s second season this year presents permanent possibilities.The Cross Bay Ferry from Tampa’s Florida Aquarium dock to the dock at the North Yacht Basin in St. Petersburg, Florida is off to a rollicking start, with 3,000 more passengers in it’s debut month of November 2018 than its strongest month during the 2016/2017 test period, and with continued support from Tampa Bay area leadership.“We are very encouraged by the numbers we are seeing so far,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said.

09 Oct 2018

Fire Stricken Tanker Towed to New York

The disabled Hong Kong-flagged tanker Feng Huang AO sits at anchor off the coast of New York City, Oct. 8, 2018. The freighter had become disabled after a fire broke out in their engine room causing major damage to machinery. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo courtesy of Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak)

A 479-foot asphalt tanker was towed into New York Harbor after an engine room fire left the vessel disabled off the U.S. East Coast.Early on October 5, U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders in Woods Hole, Mass. received a report that the Hong Kong-flagged tanker Feng Huang AO loaded with asphalt and bound for New York Harbor suffered a fire in its engine room while transiting 57 miles southeast of Nantucket Island.The flames were extinguished using the ship’s installed carbon dioxide fire suppression system.

22 Jun 2017

North River Boats: Delivering Flexibility & Customized Output

Diversification is the key at Oregon-based North River Boats. Listening closely to the customer’s needs recently won the day on a multi-hull U.S. Navy contract, but that’s not all that’s happening in Oregon. Roseburg, Ore.-based North River Boats has, over time, thrived by delivering one of the most diverse vessel portfolios in North America. Those offerings include both domestic and foreign deliveries, as well as recreational, commercial and military hulls. And, if that formula has taught them just one thing, then that metric would be that different customers need different features. And, for a firm known initially for cranking out a well-known brand of nearly identical recreational craft, it has also learned that flexibility in design and offerings can also win the day.

22 Sep 2016

General Atomics Battery for New Navy Submersible

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to provide Lithium-ion Fault Tolerant (LiFT) battery systems for use on U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) new Dry Combat Submersible (DCS), a long endurance delivery vehicle capable of transporting divers in a dry environment. The GA-EMS LiFT battery system will power the DCS propulsion and internal support systems. “Our unique solution provides the energy needed to safely propel and power the DCS at the distances and depths required to deliver personnel to their mission destination,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. LiFT battery systems are high energy density solutions for both manned and unmanned underwater vehicles.

16 Sep 2016

US Navy Orders 2 More EPF Ships from Austal

USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1), the first Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel designed and constructed by Austal for the US Navy (Photos: Austal)

Austal USA said it was awarded a $326 million contract to built the 11th and 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (EPF) for the U.S. Navy. This new contract adds upon a 2008 fully-funded EPF 10-ship block-buy agreement and brings Austal’s current build to a 12 ship program valued at $1.9 billion, and thereby extending the shipbuilder’s production under contract into 2022. Austal USA’s EPF program has seen seven ships delivered so far, with three more under construction at its headquarters and ship manufacturing facility in Mobile, Ala.

20 May 2016

AAPA, USDOT to Commemorate NM Day Jointly

A little-known annual American commemoration is coming up again on May 22 - National Maritime Day. It was declared by Congress in 1933 to call attention to America’s proud maritime heritage and to honor the men and women who serve and have served as U.S. merchant mariners. It’s also a day to recognize and reflect on the rewards that America’s ports bring the country in terms of jobs, economic development, goods movement and international competitiveness. For the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)—the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas—National Maritime Day offers the nation’s ports a great opportunity to showcase the value of their facilities, operations and personnel to their respective communities.

18 May 2016

AAPA to Join USDOT in Commemorating National Maritime Day

Kurt Nagle (Photo: AAPA)

Host of U.S. A little-known annual American commemoration is coming up again on May 22: National Maritime Day, declared by Congress in 1933 to call attention to America’s maritime heritage and to honor the men and women who serve and have served as U.S. merchant mariners. It’s also a day to recognize and reflect on the rewards that America’s ports bring the country in terms of jobs, economic development, goods movement and international competitiveness. For the American Association…

17 May 2016

AeroVironment: Navy Deploying Underwater-Launched UAS

Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition – AeroVironment, Inc. has announced the United States Navy plans to deploy its “Blackwing,” a small, tube-launched unmanned aircraft system that deploys from under the surface of the sea, on manned submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles. Blackwing builds on AeroVironment’s extensive operational experience with small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and its Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) to provide the Navy with a low cost, submarine launched unmanned aircraft system optimized for Anti-Access/Aerial Denial (A2/AD) environments. AeroVironment developed the Blackwing…

15 Dec 2015

Ingalls Launches US Navy Destroyer Ralph Johnson

Ingalls Shipbuilding launched the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) on Saturday. The ship is scheduled to be christened in the spring of 2016. (Photo: Andrew Young/HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), the company’s 30th Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer, on Saturday. Ingalls has built and delivered 28 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. There are currently four more under construction at Ingalls, including Ralph Johnson, which is scheduled to be christened in the spring of 2016. John Finn (DDG 113) was christened in May and is expected to undergo sea trials in 2016.

05 Nov 2014

USNS Choctaw County in 'Exercise Bold Alligator'

Spearhead-class joint high speed vessel USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) is conducting proof-of-concept testing during Exercise Bold Alligator 2014 as an afloat forward staging base style platform. Bold Alligator 2014 is underway in multiple states and along the Eastern Seaboard. In addition to 18 other U.S. Navy and coalition ships, one of the Navy's newest platforms is getting an opportunity to test itself. "That includes the communications portion, launching of small boats and also helicopter operations," said Choctaw County's Chief's Mate Patrick Mullaney. In the last week, Choctaw County hosted members of Special Boat Team 20 (SBT 20) and critical skills operators from U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command to conduct scenario training.

23 Sep 2014

Ingalls Authenticates Keel on Aegis Destroyer

With Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias (right) observing, shipfitter Bob Boegner (left) and Ship Sponsor Georgeann McRaven delcare the keel of Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) to be “truly and fairly laid.” Photo by Lance Davis/HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division today authenticated the keel for the company's 30th Aegis guided missile destroyer, Ralph Johnson (DDG 114). To make it official, Georgeann McRaven, ship sponsor and wife of retired Adm. William McRaven, former commander, U.S. "We have a long history of building surface combatants, and the DDG 51 destroyers have become the backbone of the U.S. Navy's fleet," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. "These are complex vessels built by experienced shipbuilders. Mrs.

21 Aug 2014

Harris Secures Certification for its Multi-channel Manpack Radio

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has received Type-1 National Security Agency (NSA) certification for its Falcon III® RF-340M multi-channel manpack radio. The certification enables Harris to field the radios for secure voice and data communications up through the Top Secret level of information assurance. The RF-340M multi-channel manpack is the first and only commercially developed radio to achieve Type-1 certification in anticipation of the U.S. Army's Handheld, Manpack and Small-Form Factor (HMS) tactical radio program. The radio is smaller and lighter and offers extended battery life in comparison to the current program of record radio.

09 Jul 2014

First SEAL Appointed Navy War College President

Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe III relieved Rear Adm. Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr., as the 55th president and first Navy SEAL in command of the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, during a change of command ceremony with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, informs  U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs. Rear Adm. Howe, a U.S. Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School and National War College graduate, holds dual Master of Arts degrees in national security and reports from his most recent assignment as commander of Special Operations Command, Pacific. "For the first time in the 130 year history of the NWC, this institution will be led by a member of the naval special warfare community, better known as the SEALs.

02 Oct 2013

Sequestration? What Sequestration?

Smaller boatyards carve out a profitable niche in this challenging, yet target rich maritime environment. For Kvichak and USMI; so far, so good. The May edition of MarineNews brought analysis of possible downstream consequences of the U.S. federal government’s ongoing austerity measures, especially where it could impact U.S. boatbuilders with backlogs tied to government funding. Susan Buchanan’s “Budget Battles Bumping Backlogs” piece brought out the good, bad and potentially ugly realities of the new normal in Washington, DC, where lawmakers tussle over spending priorities, while also leaving various casualties in their messy wake. The August announcement that the U.S.

03 Dec 2013

Dredge, LCS, Submersibe, Figure in Latest DoD Contracts

Dutra Dredging Company, Calif. was awarded a $19,869,500 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging in the Thimble Shoal Federal Navigation Channel and the Cape Henry Federal Navigation Channel, Norfolk Virginia. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Ala., was awarded an $8,247,342 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2301) on Nov. 27, 2013, to exercise an option for littoral combat ship (LCS) core class services. The company will assess engineering and production challenges as well as evaluate the cost and schedule risks from affordability efforts to reduce LCS acquisition and lifecycle costs. Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala. (60 percent), and Pittsfield, Mass.

11 Feb 2014

Special Operations Boat Contract for Oregon Iron Works

Special Operations Craft: Photo credit Wiki CCL

The US Department of Defense has issued a Special Operations Command contract to Oregon Iron Works for funding of the Combatant Craft Medium Mark One (CCM Mk1) building program. The CCM Mk 1 craft will replace the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) as a utilitarian go-to-war craft without the design constraints of C-130 internal air transport or airdrop. The primary mission of CCM Mk 1 is insertion/extraction of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in medium threat environments.

17 Mar 2014

U.S. Forces Board Seized Tanker Ship

American forces yesterday boarded and took control of a commercial tanker ship, Morning Glory, that was seized earlier this month by three armed Libyans, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a Defense Department news release issued today. "No one was hurt tonight when U.S. forces, at the request of both the Libyan and Cypriot governments, boarded and took control of the commercial tanker ‘Morning Glory,’ a stateless vessel seized earlier this month by three armed Libyans,” Kirby said in the release. The boarding operation, approved by President Barack Obama and conducted just after 10 p.m. EDT on March 16 in international waters southeast of Cyprus, was executed by a team of U.S. Navy SEALs attached to Special Operations Command Europe, Kirby added.

19 Mar 2014

Swiftships Unveils USV with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Last month, Swiftships Shipbuilders, LLC, in Morgan City, La., showcased the Anaconda-2 – an unmanned, 35-ft. craft in development – during a demonstration on the Atchafalaya River next to its HQ. The company partnered with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette more than a year ago to produce technology for a vessel that can navigate without a pilot aboard. Swiftships and ULL are designing a boat that uses Global Positioning System/sensory data, and has the potential to support naval, enforcement and zone-protection operations, mainly on inland waters.