US Navy

Rappel du premier message :

Bonjour/Bonsoir ;

Alors, je vous présente quelques portes avions USA :

USS Carl Vinson


USS Harry S Truman


USS Nimitz



USS Eisenhower


USS George H. W. Bush


USS Kity Hawk



USS Wasp


USS Tarawa


USS Saipan

Citation :

«I Like Ike» : à bord de l'USS Eisenhower



A bord de leurs bateaux, les marins américains portent le nouveau treillis "pixellisé" gris-bleu. C'est, à dire vrai, assez élégant. Seuls les "aviators" sont en combinaison de vol verte. A bord de l'USS Dwight Eisenhower, beaucoup de marins portent également un badge, rond et jaune, sur lequel on peut lire : "I Like Ike" - j'aime "Ike", surnom de l'ancien président des Etats-Unis.

Le Ike (CVN-69), qui croise actuellement en Méditerranée et sur lequel l'auteur de ce blog a pu se rendre pour une courte visite (1), est l'un des onze porte-avions de l'US Navy. Construit dans les années 70, il est en service depuis 35 ans (1977) : il est le deuxième de la classe Nimitz.

C'est évidemment une énorme bête : pour un habitué des PA français, le choc est certain. Tout est pareil mais beaucoup plus grand ! Il jauge 95000 tonnes, le double donc du Charles-de-Gaulle. Sa piste d'envol est longue de 332 mètres et large de 77 m. N'abusons pas de chiffres : sachez seulement que 15.000 repas sont servis à bord chaque jour pour ls 4000 hommes et femmes du bord.

Le USS Eisenhower embarque actuellement 71 appareils au sein de son Groupe aérien, le Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, organisé en 8 escadrons. Sa force de frappe est consitutée de F-18 (quatre squadrons) dans leur version Charlie/Delta et Echo/Fox (Super Hornet), à laquelle s'ajoutent des E-2C Hawkeye (contrôle aérien et alerte avancée), des EA-6B Prowler (guerre électronique), C-2A Greyhound (transport) et des hélicoptères SH-60F Seahawk, la version navale du Blackhawk (lutte anti-sous marine, liaison et sauvetage).

Le USS Eisenhower fait partie du Carrier Strike Group Eight, avec un croiseur lance-missiles (USS Hue City) et trois destroyers (USS Farragut, USS Winston S. Churchill et USS Jason Dunham). Et sans doute un ou deux sous-marins nucléaire d'attaque très discrets...

Ce groupe aéronaval a quitté les Etats-Unis (Norfolk et Mayport) le 20 juin dernier. Il doit se rendre dans l'Océan indien en passant par la Méditerranée. Après des exercices avec les flottes alliées (dont le groupe aéronaval français), il participera à des missions de lutte contre la piraterie et de soutien des opérations en Afghanistan.

secret défense

Citation :

Marine américaine va se doter d'un nouveau type d'engin de débarquement

WASHINGTON, 6 juil 2012 (AFP) -
La Marine américaine a commandé vendredi le premier exemplaire, ainsi que huit en option, d'un nouveau type d'engin de débarquement, un aéroglisseur destiné à remplacer à terme ses aéroglisseurs vieillissants, a annoncé le Pentagone.

Le contrat passé avec la firme Textron s'élève à 213 millions de dollars et pourra être porté à 570 millions de dollars si les huit options sont exercées, précise le ministère américain de la Défense dans un communiqué.

Le premier "Connecteur navire-côte" (Ship-to-shore connector, SSC) doit être livré en 2017 et être opérationnel trois ans plus tard.

Les aéroglisseurs SSC doivent remplacer à terme les 91 engins de débarquement sur coussins d'air (LCAC) en service dans l'US Navy depuis 1982.

Leur coût d'achat et d'utilisation sera réduit par rapport au LCAC, selon le secrétaire américain à la Marine, Ray Mabus.

Le SSC devra être capable d'amener à terre une charge de 74 tonnes, suffisante pour transporter plusieurs blindés, à une vitesse de 35 noeuds (65 km/h) sur une distance supérieure à 25 miles nautiques, soit une cinquantaine de kilomètres.

http://www.marine-oceans.com

Citation :

fter repeated delays, an industry team led by Textron Inc. has won a $212.7 million contract for the next-generation hovercraft transport to carry Marine forces from ship to shore, the Navy announced at 5:01 today.

The blandly named "Ship to Shore Connector" (SSC) will replace the aging Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), also built by Textron, which entered service in 1982. Textron beat out a rival team led by Lockheed Martin and Marinette Marine, who first joined forces to build the Littoral Combat Ship.

With the cancellation of the Marines' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, a kind of water-skiing tank meant to replace current amphibious troop carriers, the SSC is even more crucial to amphibious warfare, the Marine Corps' raison d'etre. The unique ability of hovercraft to carry heavy loads straight onto the beach, without worrying about shallow waters, rocks, or the need for port facilities, makes them a mainstay of Navy humanitarian relief operations as well.

The Navy has invested in a service life extension program to keep most of its current LCAC hovercraft running until 2028, but the aging craft were struggling under the increased weight of Marine Corps vehicles as the military uparmored its vehicles against the threat of roadside bombs in Afghanistan and Iraq. With anti-tank weapons proliferating worldwide, ground vehicles are unlikely to get lighter, so the Navy needed a landing craft with more hauling power. The current LCAC is built to carry 60 tons, although it can manage 75 at reduced speed; the SSC is supposed to haul 74 tons at its full speed of 35 knots, about 40 miles per hour.

Unusually for a defense program, the Navy did most of the design work on the SSC itself; the contract to Textron is only to do "detail design" and build a "test and training craft." That's a major break with past experiments in giving industry wide leeway in design, as tried on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship, the Coast Guard's Deepwater program, and the Army's canncelled Future Combat Systems. If the Textron prototype proves successful, the Navy will exercise an option for eight operational SSCs at about $44 million apiece, which would bring the contract's value to $570 million -- with the replacement of the rest of the Navy's fleet of 72 LCACs presumably to follow.

http://defense.aol.com/2012/07/06/textron-wins-navy-hovercraft-contract-to-replace-aging-lcac/

Citation :

120705-N-NB694-186 ARABIAN SEA (July 5, 2012) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) performs a firepower demonstration alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Citation :

Sikorsky Signs Five-Year Contract To Build H-60 Helicopters For U.S. Army and Navy



July 09, 2012

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The U.S. Army and Navy today signed an $8.5 billion contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), to buy a baseline quantity of 653 BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK^® helicopters through December 2017. The five-year contract will yield significant savings for the U.S. Government compared with purchasing the same quantity across five separate annual agreements.

The five-year agreement also allows the Army and Navy to order as many as 263 more aircraft within the same contractual terms. If exercised, the optional purchases could push the contract value as high as $11.7 billion. Actual production quantities will be determined year-by-year over the life of the program based on funding allocations set by Congress and Pentagon acquisition priorities.

“By buying a five-year quantity of four helicopter models in a single joint-service purchase, the two services have enabled Sikorsky and our suppliers to aggressively control our long- term costs,” said John Palumbo, Sikorsky’s Vice President for BLACK HAWK aircraft production. “Furthermore, by ordering a similar number of aircraft year-over-year, the Army and Navy have ensured that we can stabilize our supply base over the same period of time.”

Designated Multi-Year 8 — for the eighth multi-year order of H-60 helicopters since fiscal year 1982 — today’s formal signing ends more than three years of planning, including six months of negotiation. The base contract includes UH-60M utility and HH-60M MEDEVAC helicopters for the U.S. Army, and MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters for the U.S. Navy. To reach the full baseline value of $8.5 billion, the services are ordering aircraft in the base agreement to be sold via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program. These aircraft include Foreign Military Sale (FMS) UH-60M aircraft for several allied countries and MH-60R SEAHAWK anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy. Colonel Thomas Todd, the Utility Helicopters Project Manager, stated that, “This contract will provide our Army, sister services and Allies with state-of-the-art modernized helicopters. Moreover, this effort will stabilize our manufacturing base during this period of fiscally challenging times.”

BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK aircraft deliveries under the new contract will begin this month. Sikorsky produces the two H-60M BLACK HAWK and two MH-60 SEAHAWK aircraft models on four separate production lines at its final assembly facility in Stratford, Conn., and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in aircraft design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning opportunities for development, production and sale of helicopters. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans, availability of funding and in the type and number of aircraft required; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

/www.sikorsky.com

voila donc ce qui les rendra abordables pour d´autres pays,si je comprend bien des UH-60M FMS y sont compris

Citation :

USS Truman begins sea trials


Hires

Hires




ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 8, 2012) The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) performs a full power run and rudder swing checks during sea trials. Truman is conducting sea trials in collaboration with Norfolk Naval Shipyard to train Sailors and ensure operability of equipment and systems while at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristina Young/Released)
The The US Navy's eighth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) has started sea trails as part of a 16-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia, US.

Truman's commanding officer captain Dee Mewbourne said: "Today's successful underway was the product of Truman and NNSY's hard work and dedication for the past 16 months in the shipyard."

The aircraft carrier will undergo testing to validate its system capabilities in surface operations, deck seamanship, flight-deck operations and damage control readiness.

During the sea trials, which are being carried out in collaboration with the NNSY, the Truman sailors will also undergo a qualification process to ensure operability of equipment and systems while at sea.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd class Daniel Colon assigned to air department said: "We have to make sure that the crew is qualified as well as the ship."

"We must work together to accomplish all the goals needed to successfully get this ship back in the fleet. The goal is to re-establish the proficiency of the ship and its training teams."
A series of training exercises will also be performed by the sailors and will be evaluated to complete final qualification standards during the trials.

Truman's chief engineer commander Daniel Rossler said: "We must work together to accomplish all the goals needed to successfully get this ship back in the fleet. The goal is to re-establish the proficiency of the ship and its training teams."

Capable of cruising at a maximum speed of over 30k, the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has a full-load displacement of 102,000t and can carry a crew of 6,000.

The Newport News Shipbuilding-built supercarriers are armed with three Raytheon GMLS mk29 eight-cell launchers for Nato Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles.

naval-technology

Citation :

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (June 28, 2012) The carrier variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flies for the first time with external weapons. Navy test pilot Lt. Christopher Tabert flew CF-1 with inert AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on port and starboard pylons to measure flying qualities and aircraft vibrations. The F-35C is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control when operating in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy Lockheed Martin/Released)

Le LCS ne tient pas son cahier des charges.....
http://www.corlobe.tk/article29707.html

Je vais dire une connerie Je trouve les LCS trèèèèèès moches !! trop futuristes à mon goût.

Plus sérieusement, je pense que les américains devraient opter pour un navire moderne mais au design plus ''conventionnel'', une frégate de 3000/4000 tonnes aux lignes furtives mais conventionnelles comme ce qui se fait en europe actuellement, avec une configue de base polyvalente, avec possibilité de spécialisation.

Un mini A.Burke de 3500 tonnes sans Aegis et avec des lignes plus furtives aurait fait l'affaire.

Citation :

Un navire militaire américain a ouvert le feu sur un autre navire dans le golfe Persique

Les autorités américaines ont signalé qu'un navire de guerre américain a ouvert le feu sur un navire au large des côtes des Emirats arabes unis.

Selon le représentant de la marine américaine, les militaires se trouvant à bord du navire Rappahannock ont ouvert le feu sur un bateau à moteur rapide, qui s’approchait d’eux, ignorant la commande de changer de cap. Pour l’instant, il n’y a aucune information officielle sur les victimes, mais selon Associated Press une personne aurait été tuée et trois autres blessés. Pour l’instant, aucune précision sur les personnes se trouvant à bord du bateau n’a été rapportée par les agences.

http://french.ruvr.ru/2012_07_16/navire-de-guerre-americain-feu-Golfe-Persique/

Citation :

Les victimes des tirs de l'US Navy dans le Golfe sont des pêcheurs indiens

AFP | 16/07/2012 | 21h11

Un pêcheur indien a été tué et trois autres ont été blessés dans des tirs lundi d'un navire de guerre américain contre leur embarcation au large de Dubaï, a annoncé un responsable des Emirats arabes unis.

"Les services concernés sont en train d'enquêter sur cet incident", a déclaré, à l'agence officielle Wam, Tarek Ahmed al-Hidane, assistant pour les affaires politique au ministère des Affaires étrangères à Abou Dhabi.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Derni%C3%A8res+Infos/article/768608/Les_victimes_des_tirs_de_lUS_Navy_dans_le_Golfe_sont_des_pecheurs_indiens.html

Citation :

MH-53 Helicopter Suffers Aviation Mishap, Crashes


By U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS – An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 15 crashed 58 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman today while conducting heavy lift support operations.

The crash was not due to any sort of hostile activity and the status of the five crew members is still being determined.

Another MH-53E assigned to HM-15 is on scene, providing search and rescue assistance.

The incident is under investigation.

http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2012/104.html

Citation :

Navy carriers prepare for X-47B unmanned aircraft arrival next year



Air traffic controllers aboard USS Harry S. Truman receive training and provide fleet feedback on Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration software during recent carrier sea trials. (U.S. Navy

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy is one year away from landing its first unmanned jet aircraft aboard a carrier after completing the most recent round of surrogate tests aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

In early July, members from the Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) carrier integration team engaged in extensive software testing aboard Truman to validate the concept of autonomous UAV operations around an aircraft carrier and prepare for the X-47B unmanned aircraft’s arrival on a carrier next year.

“Demonstrating our concept of operations and making sure the Carrier Segment is performing as advertised is a huge milestone for the program,” said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, Navy UCAS program manager. “The crew, equipment, and program team performed exceptionally well during all planned test events and the Harry S Truman is ready for our next phase of X-47B testing.”

Last year, the team conducted surrogate testing aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) with a manned F/A-18 to evaluate ship systems, avionics systems and early versions of the unmanned vehicle software. The team is now back at sea aboard Truman with the F/A-18 aircraft, testing precision landing performance with the latest X-47B software and hardware configuration.

“The purpose of the UCAS-D carrier integration effort is to mature precision carrier-landing technologies for unmanned systems and digitize the communications and navigation information flow,” Engdahl said. “Since the X-47B is unmanned, the aircraft operates using digital messages from the mission operator and shipboard controllers, rather than through verbal instructions. The carrier requires modification for unmanned flight operations, and the integration effort performs these in a way that minimally affects existing hardware, training and procedures.”

During at-sea testing, the Navy UCAS team gathered valuable feedback from fleet air-traffic controllers and air-department personnel about the usability of the new software and lessons learned about how to most effectively operate UAVs in the carrier environment.

“The new software used during these tests is more comprehensive than earlier versions,” said Cmdr. Jeff Dodge, Navy UCAS carrier integration team co-lead. “There have been significant changes made to the user interface and navigation systems. Data compiled during surrogate flights allows us to determine the effectiveness of the new software and how it supports the carrier environment.”

Throughout the remainder of 2012, the Navy UCAS program will conduct carrier suitability and system performance testing with both X-47B aircraft at Pax River. These tests will include arrested landings, catapult launches, and flight deck operations at the land-based facility and establish the aircraft’s ability to conduct precision approaches to the aircraft carrier.

PEO(U&W) Public Affairs

Citation :

Boeing Delivers 2nd Production P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to US Navy

1st aircraft being used to train crews; feedback positive

SEATTLE | Boeing on July 17 delivered the second production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy. The P-8A is one of 13 low rate initial production (LRIP) maritime patrol aircraft that Boeing is building for the Navy as part of two contracts awarded in 2011.

Navy pilots flew the P-8A from Seattle to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., where the first LRIP P-8A is being used for aircrew training.

"We're proud to be able to meet our commitment and deliver another Poseidon to the fleet," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. "Navy crews have had a couple of months of training with the first plane, and their feedback has been positive."

Three P-8As currently are undergoing mission systems installation and checkout in Seattle, and three are in final assembly in Renton, Wash. In order to efficiently design and build P-8A aircraft for the Navy and P-8I aircraft for India, the Boeing-led team is using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws on the company's Next-Generation 737 production system. All aircraft modifications are made in sequence during fabrication and assembly.

Overall, the Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.

As part of the two LRIP contracts, Boeing is providing aircrew and maintenance training for the Navy, in addition to logistics support, spares, support equipment and tools. Separate from the LRIP contracts, Boeing was awarded a System Development and Demonstration contract in 2004 to build and test six flight-test and two ground-test P-8A aircraft. The flight test aircraft have completed more than 600 sorties and 2,800 flight hours, mainly at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

defpro

Citation :

L’incendie du sous-marin nucléaire USS Miami était volontaire, un suspect arrêté




Lundi, les autorités fédérales américaines ont mis en examen un habitant de Portsmouth pour avoir volontairement allumé l’incendie qui a ravagé le 23 mai dernier le sous-marin nucléaire d’attaque Miami qui se trouvait dans le chantier naval de la ville.



Casey James Fury devrait être présenté à un juge fédéral de Portland (Maine) pour 2 chefs d’accusation — incendie du sous-marin et incendie de matériaux de construction situés à proximité —, a indiqué un greffier du tribunal.

L’incendie a fait rage, hors de contrôle, pendant plusieurs heures, provoquant 400 millions $ de dégâts. L’US Navy évalue actuellement si le sous-marin sera réparé.

Navy Times

un autre article

Citation :

La cause de l’incendie à bord du sous-marin USS Miami élucidée
25 juillet 2012 – 10:26
En mai dernier, un feu s’était déclaré à bord de l’USS Miami, un sous-marin nucléaire d’attaque (SNA) de la classe « Los Angeles », alors à quai à Portsmouth dans le cadre de sa période d’indisponibilité pour entretien et réparation (IPER). Il avait fallu 12 heures pour maîtriser l’incendie et 7 pompiers furent blessés.

Au départ, l’US Navy pensait que cet incident avait été causé par l’explosion d’un aspirateur. En fait, l’explication est toute autre et elle est à peine croyable. En effet, l’enquête du NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) a permis de confondre un certain Casey James Fury, âgé de 24 ans, technicien au chantier naval de Portsmouth.

Ce serait lui qui a mis volontairement le feu à bord de l’USS Miami… pour pouvoir quitter son travail plus tôt. Selon ses déclarations, ce jeune homme, traité pour des crises d’angoisse et une dépression, a expliqué avoir allumé l’incendie après une conversation par sms au cours de laquelle son ancienne petite amie a évoqué l’homme qu’elle voyait au moment des faits.

Le pot-aux-roses a été découvert alors qu’il était interrogé pour un début d’incendie rapidement maîtrisé à bord d’un autre sous-marin, le 16 juin dernier.

Les dégâts constatés à bord de l’USS Miami s’élèvent à 400 millions de dollars (350 millions d’euros). Une somme que Casey James Fury pourrait être contraint à rembourser, en plus de l’amende de 250.000 dollars et d’une peine de prison à vie si la Cour spéciale de l’US Navy devant laquelle il devrait comparaitre le reconnaît coupable.

http://www.opex360.fr/

Citation :

U.S. Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Somerset

The U.S. Navy will christen the newest amphibious transport dock ship, Somerset, Saturday, July 28, 2012, during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Avondale, La.

The ship is named in honor of the courageous passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. Their actions prevented terrorist hijackers from reaching their destination only to have the airplane crash near Shanksville in Somerset County, Pa., Sept. 11, 2001.

Patrick White, president of the Families of Flight 93, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Mary Jo Myers, the wife of Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the ship’s sponsor, and in accordance with Navy tradition, will break a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship.

During the weeks following the Flight 93 crash, recovery personnel retrieved more than 95 percent of the airplane’s wreckage from the crash site. An American flag was hoisted on the top of a power shovel or “dragline” on a hill dominating the area. The dragline had been used in coal stripping at one time, and the equipment with the flag became a symbol of the effort.

In the summer of 2008, steel from the dragline’s bucket was melted down and cast into Somerset’s bow stem. Somerset is the final of three ships named to honor heroes of the September 11 attacks, joining the USS New York and USS Arlington, respectively.

Designated LPD 25, Somerset is the ninth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio class. These versatile ships incorporate both a flight deck to accommodate CH-46 helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and a well deck that can launch and recover landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The San Antonio class’ increased vehicle space and substantial cargo-carrying capacity make it a key element of 21st century Amphibious Ready Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups, and Joint Task Forces.

Somerset will provide improved warfighting capabilities, including an advanced command-and-control suite, increased lift-capability in vehicle and cargo-carrying capacity and advanced ship-survivability features. The ship is capable of embarking a landing force of up to 800 Marines.

The future USS Somerset will be the fifth U.S. naval vessel to carry the name Somerset. The four previous ships of that name were a side-wheeled ferryboat (1862-1865), a motorboat (1918), a transport (1945), and a patrol escort (1944-1955).

The ship will be led by a crew of 360 officers, enlisted personnel and Marines. The 24,900-ton Somerset is being built at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Avondale, La. The ship is 684 feet in length, has an overall beam of 105 feet, and a navigational draft of 23 feet. Four turbo-charged diesels power the ship to sustained speeds of 22 knots.

To view the ceremony via live webcast, please go to: http://www.vistasat.com/HIIWebcast.html .

defpro

Citation :

Prowler 'Star Warriors' are coming to Whidbey

The Navy is redeploying an EA-6B Prowler squadron to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, which will bring an additional four or five aircraft, 30 officers and 190 enlisted personnel to the island.

The Navy is initiating an environmental assessment survey, thereby starting the process to bring the Star Warriors squadron, VAQ-209, to Whidbey within the next 18 months. The Star Warriors are currently based at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen hailed the move in a press release Friday afternoon.

"The Navy's decision to bring the Star Warriors to Whidbey Island is one more sign of the importance of Whidbey Island to the nation's national security strategy," Larsen said. "I welcome the new Prowler squadron, whose pilots, support crew and their families will find a good and friendly home in Oak Harbor. The Star Warriors have a long and distinguished history, most recently serving our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will join a professional aviation community that works hard every day to provide security to our nation."

A spokesman at Larsen's office indicated that the Star Warriors will likely transition to Growlers along with the rest of squadrons.

Larsen said he's also keeping pressure on Navy officials to make sure they follow through with their commitment to also bring the P-8A Poseidons to Whidbey Island.

"With its location making Whidbey an ideal base for Asia-Pacific and Arctic operations, and with the community's strong support, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will remain an important asset both locally and for our nation long into the future," he said.

whidbeynewstimes

Citation :

Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded $1.5Bn Contract for Construction of LPD 27


USS San Diego (LPD 22) is launched at the Ingalls Shipyard.

U.S. Navy Awards Contract for Detail Design and Construction of 11th LPD

07:32 GMT, July 30, 2012 PASCAGOULA, Miss. | The U.S. Navy on Friday, Jul. 27, awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a $1.5 billion fixed-price incentive contract for the detail design and construction of the amphibious transport dock LPD 27. The ship will be built at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division.

“This contract validates our proven performance in building amphibious ships,” said Doug Lounsberry, vice president, LPD program. “Our shipbuilders have the necessary and unique skills to build these extremely complex warships and meet all Navy expectations. These ships are vital to our nation’s defense, and we are working safely and efficiently to ensure American sailors and Marines have the best product to defend our freedom.”

Ingalls is building the entire San Antonio (LPD 17) class of ships, the newest addition to the Navy’s 21st century amphibious assault force. LPDs are built to be survivable and flexible. The complex, survivable ships enable the services to carry out their missions without constraints or additional assets.

“This investment in survivability is vital to protecting our troops and their equipment and ensuring their ability to fight and win while in harm’s way,” Lounsberry said.

The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ships can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing crafts, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. The ships will support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century.

The 11 ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy’s ability to project power ashore. Collectively, they functionally replace more than 41 ships (the LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113 and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships), providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable and built to operate with 21st century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey.

(Photo: Bill Gonyo)

defpro

Citation :

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PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (June 27, 2012) Navy test pilot Lt. Christopher Tabert pilots the first external stores flight of the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft. The F-35C is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control when operating in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Andy Wolfe/Released)