US Navy

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(Jan. 26, 2013) Huntington Ingalls Industries celebrated significant progress today as the 555-metric ton island was lowered onto the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. The 60-foot long, 30-foot wide island was the 452nd lift of the nearly 500 total lifts needed to complete the aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy Huntington Ingalls Industries/Released)

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2nd of four Navy destroyers leaves Tuesday for Spain


NORFOLK -- Hundreds of Navy families are preparing for their new home in Spain.

USS Ross is the latest Norfolk-based ship to be moved to Rota.
Navy Website Let's Move to NAVSTA Rota, Spain

USS Donald Cook left in January; USS Porter and USS Carney will arrive in 2015. All are Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers,

"The four ships we are moving to Rota are going to be a very important part of our national security," Rear Adm. Brian L. Laroche, deputy commander, Naval Service Force Atlantic, said in June 2013. "These ships are going to be on the forefront of our national commitment to NATO and the European Phased Adaptive Approach."

USS Ross leaves Norfolk on Tuesday. The ship will stop in Yorktown and then sail on to Spain.

http://www.wvec.com

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Lockheed Martin Receives Contract Award for MK 41 Vertical Launching System

BALTIMORE, MD, June 3, 2014 – The U.S. Navy recently awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a contract to provide engineering design services for the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) that helps protect the fleet from numerous naval warfare threats. This $10 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract includes options, which if exercised would bring the total contract value to $182 million.

As the only system capable of launching anti-air, anti-submarine, surface-to-surface and strike missiles, the MK 41 VLS can receive orders from multiple weapon control systems to handle every warfighting mission. Lockheed Martin has been the prime contractor on the VLS for more than 32 years.

“This award continues our legacy of reliability and performance on the VLS program,” said Joe North, vice president of Littoral Ship Systems for Lockheed Martin's Mission System and Training business. “We remain proud to work with the Navy to make the MK 41 VLS the world’s premier below-deck, multi-mission launching system and take the responsibility the Navy has entrusted to us very seriously. Our team is dedicated to providing our customer with the best technology on time and on budget, as we have since the program’s inception.”

As the international launcher of choice for surface ships, MK 41 VLS systems are either in service or on order with the United States and 12 navies around the world. MK 41 has been integrated in 23 different ship classes and 12 different weapon control systems. More than 12,000 MK 41 VLS missile cells have been delivered or are on order, with 100 percent on-time shipyard delivery.

This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and eight allied navies under the Foreign Military Sales program. Included in the work is missile integration, software development, integration of VLS into new ships, technical refresh, systems engineering and life cycle support for MK 41 VLS. These services will also be done on the U.S. Navy's Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. The work will be performed at Lockheed Martin's locations in Baltimore, Md., and Ventura, Calif.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com

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Trident II D5 Missile Reaches 150 Successful Test Flights

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 4, 2014 – The U.S. Navy’s Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile, built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], has achieved 150 successful test flights, setting a new reliability record for large ballistic missiles. The Navy launched two unarmed missiles June 2 in the Atlantic Ocean from a submerged Ohio-class submarine, marking the 149th and 150th successful test flights of the missile since design completion in 1989.

The test flights were part of a demonstration and shakedown operation, which the Navy uses to certify a submarine for deployment following an overhaul. The missiles were converted into test configurations with kits containing range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.

The operation included the first flight of two modernized avionics subsystems that control key missile functions during flight. The subsystems were updated under the D5 Life Extension program, which incorporates current technologies into the missile’s electronics to cost-effectively prolong the service life of the reliable D5 missile design on current and next-generation submarine platforms.

“The success of this Life Extension flight is a tribute to the dedication and innovation of the entire government and industry team,” said Doug White, Fleet Ballistic Missile programs vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “In partnership with Navy Strategic Systems Programs, we set the bar high to provide a credible, reliable and affordable sea-based strategic deterrent for the nation.”

First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard U.S. Navy Ohio-class and U.K. Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines. The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries independently targeted reentry bodies.

Lockheed Martin has been the Navy’s strategic missile prime contractor since 1955. The company also performs program management and engineering services for the Royal Navy under the Polaris Sales Agreement.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation’s net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com

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Navy jet crashes into Pacific on approach to carrier

(CNN) -- A U.S. Navy fighter jet crashed into the water off Southern California while approaching an aircraft carrier Wednesday night, the Navy said.

The pilot of the F/A-18E Super Hornet ejected, was recovered and is in stable condition aboard the USS Carl Vinson, the Navy said Thursday. The aviator is expected to make a full recovery.

The crash happened hours after a separate military plane went down in California: the nonfatal crash of one of the Marines' AV-8B Harriers into a neighborhood in Imperial.

In Wednesday night's crash in the Pacific, the Super Hornet was on approach to the Carl Vinson when it hit the water about 10 p.m. PT, the Navy said.

The jet hasn't been recovered. The cause of the crash will be investigated, the Navy said.

All air operations aboard the Carl Vinson were suspended after the crash, but they resumed midday Thursday and diverted aircraft returned. The carrier had been taking part in an exercise in preparation for a deployment, the Navy said.

http://edition.cnn.com

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Arrival of new fighter jet at least 4 years away
Navy cuts its order for the F-35C in half
BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
alinhardt@keysnews.com

The stealthy and controversial F-35C fighter jet will replace the F/A-18 Super Hornets commonly seen buzzing over Boca Chica Field, but the question is when.

Their arrival appears to be at least four years away, but that figure is in no way set in stone.

Navy leadership announced in March that it was cutting its order for the new jets nearly in half over the next five years, starting in the fiscal year 2015, due to budget concerns surrounding the jet, which has been plagued by cost overruns, delays and development problems.

The Navy had planned to buy 69 of the aircraft carrier variant of the jet, but now it intends to buy 36, said Lt. Robert Myers, a Navy spokesman at the Pentagon. The problem is not with the plane's performance, but with fiscal issues surrounding the program, officials say.

The Navy is also waiting for specific computer software for the plane, called Block 3F software, Myers said. The software is "required for full warfighting capability, including but not limited to data link imagery, full weapons and embedded training," according to the manufacturer's (Lockheed Martin Corp.) website.

"The Navy is aligning F-35C inventory requirements which enable our Initial Operational Capability (IOC) between the range of 2018 to 2019," Myers said in an email to The Citizen. "This was a prudent decision given our current budget environment and alignment with the Block 3F software/hardware package required for IOC. We continue to explore and evaluate potential F-35C base locations as the program develops."

In other words, the Navy isn't sure which airfields will see the F-35C first until the first planes leave the assembly line.

The Navy is buying the F-35C variant -- the first stealth aircraft for the Navy -- but the Air Force and Marines are also buying other versions of the plane. The jet will be America's primary fighter jet in the years ahead matched only by the Air Force-only air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor.

Overall, the F-35 program is $163 billion over budget -- it is expected to cost some $400 billion in total -- and some seven years behind schedule. It represents the most expensive Pentagon weapons system ever, according to published defense watchdog reports.

Locally, the F-35 is controversial because Monroe County contends the current F/A-18 Super Hornet was never properly evaluated in terms of noise studies, but the Navy has long held that it did study Super Hornet noise, and that its research met legal guidelines of the National Environmental Policy Act.

Watching the issue closely is Key Largo resident and former Navy sailor John Hammerstrom, who is also a member of the county's Environmental Impact Study Committee, which studied the F/A-18 Super Hornet closely as part of that committee.

Much of that discussion revolved around the arrival of the F-35C and how loud it will be compared to the current planes.

"My guess is that they will show up at some time, but not in the same numbers," as first expected, Hammerstrom said of the F-35C.

Regardless of one's view of the F-35, the Pentagon isn't backing down from the program said, John Pike, a national security analyst and director and founder of GlobalSecurity.org, a Washington, D.C.-based military think tank.

"A decade from now there will only be two types of airplanes: Stealth airplanes and targets," Pike said.

alinhardt@keysnews.com

http://keysnews.com

Citation :

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT -

Components for a 360 Degree Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Persistent Surveillance System for U.S. Navy Ships


THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) to identify sources that can provide solutions or components to support the development of a Shipboard 360 degree Multi-Spectral Persistent Surveillance System.

The information obtained from this RFI will be used for market research and to ensure that accurate representations are made regarding specific systems and components to be briefed and or demonstrated during a follow-on Navy Surface EO Industry Days event. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Navy has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Current plans are to hold Industry Days in September or October 2014 at NSWC Crane. The current anticipated agenda is as follows:

Briefs:

Day 1 - Brief to Industry from the US government. This will involve threats assessment for current US ships held at the SECRET classification level.

Day 2-3 - Briefs from industry in a closed session to the Government based on best submissions provided. Currently anticipate 10-15 briefs with no more than 60 minutes for any individual submission.

Demonstrations:

Crane anticipates opportunities to demonstrate new technologies and capabilities utilizing Crane's facilities including the Joint Electro Optics Center's towers, labs, target boards, and Lake Greenwood. Any active sensors will need to be provided prior to demonstrations for safety release. All active sensors will need to be provided at least 30 days prior to demonstration unless an FDA letter or Navy's Laser Safety review has been provided for the product.

Notes:

Contractors must be properly registered in the Government System for Award Management database (SAM) and in the Joint Certification Program (JCP) in order to receive the RFI attachments. Contractors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 1-866-606-8220, or via the Internet at https://www.sam.gov. Information about the JCP is located at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/JCP/Default.aspx.

There is an attached file with more specific information that is Distribution D: Department of Defense and US Contractors only; thus, registration with JCP is required. For information about gain access to information please follow the instruction on FBO for limited access authorization.

At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This RFI/sources sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. The US Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed.

For technical concerns or questions please contact Matthew Thurner, matthew.thurner@navy.mil.

The contracting POC is Mr. Michael Allen (e-mail: michael.t.allen1@navy.mil). DO NOT send white papers to the contracting POC.

Please refer to announcement number N00164-14-S-NB24 in all correspondence and communication.

www.fbo.gov

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Raytheon awarded $115.5 million Phalanx upgrade contract

TUCSON, Ariz., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $115.5 million contract to remanufacture, overhaul and provide upgrades to Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS). The CIWS is an integral element of the Navy's Fleet Defense In-Depth concept and the Ship Self-Defense Program.

Work under the contract, which was signed during the second quarter 2014, is expected to be completed by September 2017.

Close-in Defense Solutions
Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems. More than 890 systems have been built and deployed in navies around the world.

Intended to enlarge Phalanx's keep-out range against evolving anti-ship missiles, rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and other threats, SeaRAM Anti-ship Missile Defense Systems use advanced Phalanx Block 1B sensors and replaces the gun with an 11-round Rolling Airframe Missile guide. SeaRAM is aboard the Independence-class of the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ships.

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com

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Northrop Grumman, US Navy Conduct Successful Simultaneous Manned, Unmanned Helicopter Flight Tests Aboard the Littoral Combat Ship

Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy successfully flew the unmanned MQ-8B Fire Scout simultaneously with the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter for the first time. The capability demonstrates how a mix of aircraft can increase a ship commander's intelligence-gathering capabilities aboard the Littoral Combat Ship USS Freedom (LCS 1).



The flight tests took place May 12, aboard the USS Freedom (LCS 1) off the coast of San Diego. Fire Scout complements the Sea Hawk because it can fly longer to maintain constant surveillance on a target or area of interest.

"Utilizing the Fire Scout in operational maritime scenarios with manned aircraft will prove to be a unique asset to our fleet," said Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager. "The sensors of the Fire Scout are providing complimentary situational awareness and precision targeting support for the MH-60R Sea Hawk and Littoral Combat Ships."



The MQ-8B Fire Scout is designed to take off autonomously and land from any aviation-capable warship. It has the endurance to fly for five hours and has logged more than 12,500 flight hours from land and sea.

"Fire Scout is giving our warfighters enhanced persistent situational awareness," said George Vardoulakis, vice president, medium range tactical systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Fire Scout systems are providing critical information to the pilots of the MH-60R Sea Hawk and the sailors of the Littoral Combat Ship to ensure that they are protected from maritime threats."

The MQ-8B Fire Scout is on its eighth at-sea deployment supporting a variety of surveillance and security missions onboard Navy frigates. The system also completed a two-year mission providing ground commanders intelligence-gathering capabilities in Afghanistan.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

US NAVY : F-35C Advanced Multi-role Fighter-Jets

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US aircraft carrier welcomes PLA aboard, seeks return invite

The US Navy today welcomed four members of China's military aboard one of its aircraft carriers -- and said it hoped to receive a return invite someday.

The four People's Liberation Army members were among guests flown by a C-2 Greyhound aircraft to the USS George Washington for a "VIP visit" before it berths tomorrow off Hong Kong on a routine call.

Tensions are high in the South China Sea and East China Sea as Beijing asserts its sovereignty over reefs and islands also claimed by US allies such as Japan and the Philippines.

But Rear Admiral Mark C Montgomery, commander of the task force headed by the carrier, said US-Chinese military relations have "moderately improved" in the past six months.

China last week confirmed it would take part for the first time in a major US-organised naval drill, the Rim of the Pacific multinational exercise, later this month.

In May China's military chief toured American warships in the United States despite the heightened tensions in Southeast Asia.

Hong Kong also has continued to host visits by US warships despite reverting to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

A general from the PLA's Hong Kong garrison was among those visiting the George Washington Sunday as it sailed 200 miles south of the city.

Montgomery said it might now be appropriate for Beijing to return the favour by offering a visit to its sole carrier, the Liaoning.

"I think that in an effort towards increased transparency in a broad bilateral partnership, I think a US visit would be appropriate," he told AFP and other media visiting the ship.

Guests were treated to a display of take-offs and landings by some of the carrier's F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft.

But Montgomery declined comment on the US decision to send another aircraft carrier to the Gulf as the situation in Iraq worsens.

And he called for a diplomatic solution to the territorial issues in the South China Sea.

"Principally the role of the United States Navy is to serve as a stabilising force and demonstrate US commitment to the region overall," he said.

http://www.business-standard.com

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ONR selects RADA’s RPS-42 Tactical Volume Surveillance Radar System


The US Navy Office of Naval Research (ONR) has selected RADA Electronic Industries' RPS-42 tactical volume surveillance radar system for its ground-based air defense (GBAD) directed energy (DE) On-The-Move (OTM) Development Program.

The future naval capability development programme is aimed at representing a vehicle-mounted on-the-move short-range air-defence laser system to overcome low observable/low radar cross section (LO/LRCS) threats to Marine Corps forces, including UAS.

With delivery scheduled for July 2014, the new system is aimed at boosting the US Marine Corps' (USMC) existing low-altitude air-defence capabilities in addressing new threats, specifically unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Based on multi-mission hemispheric radar (MHR), the RPS-42 tactical volume surveillance radar system can detect, track and classify micro and mini UAS (Groups 1&2) at ranges of up to 10km.

The system is also capable of precisely tracking threats up to very high elevation angles, while operating on-the-move, and set up improved performance-to-price ratio.

In addition to detecting and tracking UAVs and short-range rockets, artillery and mortars (RAM), the system can detect and track other aerial targets such as fighter and transporter aircraft, helicopters among several others.

RADA CEO Zvi Alon said that investing massive R&D efforts have allowed the company to offer clients a unique system that can detect the smallest, low and slow-flying tactical threats.

Alon said, "This important capability gives forces the time to initiate countermeasures, thus saving lives and accomplishing their combat missions.

"Both the MHR and the compact hemispheric radar (CHR), which is used on combat vehicles for short-range protection applications, will be on display at Eurosatory 2014, and we invite you to learn more about the unique capabilities of these radar systems."

The RPS-42 system is also capable of detecting small, low and slow-flying UAS, which are considered to be vital tactical threats to manoeuvre forces, and cannot be detected by most existing air defence radars.

The MHR is an S-Band, software-defined, pulse-doppler, AESA radar, which is based on GaN and enables multiple missions on each of the radar platforms while combining C-UAS and C-RAM operational missions on the same radar.

http://www.naval-technology.com

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 Lancement d'un F/A-18C depuis la catapulte électromagnétique EMALS

Le 19/06/2014 à 18h17, par Emmanuel Huberdeau


Catapultage d'un F/A-18C depuis la catapulte EMALS © US Navy  

Le NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems), organisme en charge des programmes aéronautiques de l'US Navy, a annoncé la fin de la seconde phase d'essais de compatibilité de la catapulte électromagnétique EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System).

Cette campagne de test s'est achevé avec le catapultage d'un F/A-18 Hornet de l'US Navy depuis le prototype du système EMALS basé à terre sur une base aéronavale du New Jersey. L'objectif de ces essais était de tester la conformité des différents appareils de l'US Navy avec le système EMALS.

Le chasseur embarqué F/A-18 fait figure de vétéran de l'US Navy. L'appareil a effectué son premier vol il y a 35 ans. Il est le dernier type d'appareil de l'US Navy a avoir été testé sur cette catapulte révolutionnaire.

Depuis 2011, 452 catapultages ont eu lieu avec l'EMALS. Désormais, la compatibilité de tous les types d'aéronefs à voilure fixe de l'US Navy a été testée : F/A-18E Super Hornet, T-45C Goshawk, C-2A Greyhound, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, EA-18G Growler,

F-35C Lightning II et donc F/A-18C. L'EMALS est également conçu pour le catapultage de drones.

L'EMALS sera installé sur le futur porte-avions à propulsion nucléaire USS Gerald R. Ford qui est en cours de construction. Les catapultes électromagnétiques remplaceront les traditionnels systèmes de catapulte à vapeur. Elles permettront un rythme beaucoup plus élevé de catapultage. Le système est également plus simple d'entretien et plus fiable. Il permet de régler avec finesse la puissance de catapultage, capacité importante pour le lancement de plateforme légère comme les drones.

Les premiers essais de l'EMALS à bord de l' USS Gerald R. Ford sont prévus pour 2015. Des charges inertes seront alors catapultées. Les premiers essais de catapultage d'aéronefs sont prévus pour 2016.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/2014/06/19/23263-lancement-d-un-f-a-18c-depuis-la-catapulte-electromagnetique-emals

Coastal Command Boat (CCB)

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USS Pennsylvania Gold Crew Sets New Record for Longest Ohio-Class SSBN Patrol

USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) with its Gold Crew aboard, returned home to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor June 14 following a 140-day strategic deterrent patrol, setting a new record for the longest patrol completed by an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.



Pennsylvania Gold's patrol, which began in January, is not only the longest for an Ohio-class submarine, but the longest since beginning of the Poseidon C3 ballistic missile program in the early 1970s, according to records maintained by the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Weapon System Evaluation program.

"It's an honor. It was a challenge. The job kept calling for us to stay at sea, but we were ready, willing and able, so we stayed at sea and finished the mission," said Cmdr. Tiger Pittman Pennsylvania Gold commanding officer. "I'm incredibly proud of my crew. I've been amazed by their resiliency throughout the entire time, and not only the crew, but the families. We leave and we serve, but they stay home and they serve as well."

As Pennsylvania emerged from an extended maintenance period in 2013, the patrol had originally been planned to be longer than is considered normal for an SSBN. The crew spent nearly the entire patrol underway, since unlike most other Navy vessels, SSBNs don't make routine port visits except when returning to homeport.

"USS Pennsylvania Gold's patrol is an exceptional example of the flexibility and capability of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine. We had always expected this to be a longer than normal patrol and a highly capable crew made it happen," said Capt. Mark VanYe, chief of staff at Commander, Submarine Group 9. "When operational commitments changed, we knew the exceptional Sailors serving on Pennsylvania and their families back home were up to the task.

"They have excelled across their entire mission set," he said. We are glad now to have them home and congratulate them on a job well done."

Upon their return home, Pennsylvania Gold was greeted by Commander of Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Phillip Sawyer, who wanted to personally thank them and congratulate them on a job well done.

"The SSBN strategic deterrent patrol is the most important unit mission in the Submarine Force and vital to the defense of our nation," said Sawyer. "The Pennsylvania Gold Crew was on the front line of deterrence, conducting critical missions from the time the ship got underway until returning home, and I couldn't be prouder of what they have accomplished."

Pennsylvania is one of eight Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, providing the survivable leg of the nation's strategic deterrent forces.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

Citation :

L’US Navy met sur cale un nouveau porte-hélicoptères d’assaut



Sistership de l’USS America (LHA 6), premier d’une nouvelle génération de porte-hélicoptères d’assaut commandés par la marine américaine, le futur USS Tripoli (LHA 7) a été mis sur cale le 20 juin au chantier Huntington Ingalls Industries de Pascagoula. Alors que son aîné a été réceptionné le 10 avril dernier par l’US Navy, le LHA 7, dont la première tôle a été découpée en juillet 2013, doit être livré en 2018.


L'USS America (© US NAVY)

Longs de 257.3 mètres pour une largeur de 32.3 mètres, les nouveaux porte-hélicoptères d’assaut de l’US Navy présentent un déplacement d’environ 45.000 tonnes à pleine charge et peuvent naviguer à la vitesse de 20 noeuds. Ces bâtiments sont conçus pour mettre en œuvre un parc aérien d’une trentaine d’appareils comprenant des avions de combat F-35B, des convertibles MV-22 Osprey et des hélicoptères. Armés par un équipage de 1059 hommes, dont 65 officiers, ils pourront accueillir près de 1700 soldats de l'US Marine Corps. Contrairement aux précédents porte-hélicoptères d’assaut américains, les LHA 6 et LHA 6 ne disposent pas de radier permettant d’abriter des engins de débarquement (chalands ou LCAC). Une situation qui ne convient pas à l’USMC, ce dernier ayant obtenu que les cinq autres unités suivantes soient pourvues d’un radier.

http://meretmarine.com

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Navy to Retire T-39N Training Jets in August

By RICHARD R. BURGESS, Managing Editor

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s air training command will retire the last of its Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner training aircraft this summer, closing out a four-decade service of training Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) in navigation and radar intercept procedures.

Training Squadron 86 (VT-86) at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., responsible for training NFOs to operate the weapon and sensor systems in the Navy and Marine Corps’ multiseat tactical jets, such as the F/A-18, EA-18G and EA-6B, will retire the last T-39N versions in August. The T-39G non-radar versions already have been withdrawn from service.

The T-39s will be replaced by a combination of simulators and the T-45 Goshawk training jet.

The Navy acquired 42 T-39Ds, the first of which entered service in 1963. This fleet was retired in 1984, replaced by 15 Cessna T-47As under a services contract. However, the T-47A services contract was not renewed because of contract irregularities, so the Navy had a batch of 17 Sabreliners refurbished as T-39Ns and placed them in service in late 1991, later joined by eight T-39Gs converted from CT-39G rapid-response transports.

The Navy will continue to operate a single T-39D assigned to Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 31 for test work at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif.

http://www.seapowermagazine.org

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Seventh Fleet Tests Innovative Missile Defense System


GUAM (NNS) -- Seventh Fleet and the Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) tested how radar-absorbing, carbon-fiber clouds can prevent a missile from detecting and striking its target, June 21-25.

The Navy tested these man-made clouds, called maritime obscurant generator prototypes, to assess their tactical effectiveness for anti-ship missile defense.

The systems and tactics were tested under a variety of at-sea conditions using assets from the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force to evaluate how the radar-absorbing, carbon-fiber clouds can protect naval assets as part of a layered defense.

Adm. Robert Thomas, Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet, kicked off the multi-ship experiment in Guam.

"Pandarra Fog is example of the quick-turn integrated technical and tactical development the Fleet is doing to master electromagnetic maneuver warfare and assure access of joint forces," said Thomas.

"Pandarra Fog showed the value of quickly bringing together scientific and joint forces to tackle our hardest warfighting problems,"said Antonio Siordia, U.S. Seventh Fleet's Science Advisor. "This isn't just smoke or chaff, this is high tech obscurant which can be effective against an array of missile homing systems."

A shipboard device generated the carbon-fiber particles which were suspended in a cloud of smoke. These clouds can absorb or diffuse radar waves emanating from the seekers of incoming missiles and potentially obscure friendly ships from those missiles.

The experiment demonstrated how maritime obscurant generation can be a key enabler of offensive maneuver of the Fleet despite the global proliferation of anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles.

"We are developing a layered approach using a full spectrum of active and passive capabilities to give us the advantage," said Capt. David Adams, who leads the Seventh Fleet Warfighting Initiatives Group. "It is not just about the technology, but also practicing how the Fleet will employ these emerging capabilities."

"A defense in depth approach has a lot of advantages. Not only do we know the smoke is effective, it adds a level of uncertainty and unpredictability to the equation," said Adams.

In addition to having a significant level of effectiveness, the systems are relatively inexpensive when compared to other countermeasures and can be tactically employed through typical Fleet maneuvers. The materials are environmentally friendly and sized to maximize operational effectiveness.

"Our initial assessment is the testing was very successful in terms of tactical employment, usability and cost-effectiveness." said Adams.

http://www.navy.mil

Citation :

US Navy funds additional X-47B development


Northrop Grumman has received an additional $63 million from the US Navy to carry out “post-demonstration” development of its X-47B carrier-based unmanned air vehicle.

Announced on 26 June, the contract – dubbed Phase II – will see continued development of the test vehicle created under the navy’s unmanned combat air system – demonstration (UCAS-D) programme. The newly-contracted work is expected to continue until March 2015.

“These activities include continued X-47B aircraft systems, testbed and flight test support at both shore-based locations and associated carrier detachments,” the navy says.



Northrop Grumman

“Fiscal [year] 2013 and 2014 research, development, test and evaluation [navy] funds in the amount of $45,877,152 will be obligated at time of award, of which $42,551,064 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year,” it continues.

The UCAS-D development began in 2007 under a $635 million programme, and was completed in 2013 after it achieved a number of targets – including the UAV performing an arrested carrier landing on the USS George HW Bush in July that year. Air-to-air refuelling was also demonstrated at the end of 2013.

Night-time operations have been stated as one area of development for the navy, and the first night flight of the system was conducted in April 2014 at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland, under separate funding.

Although UCAS-D is solely a development effort, the technology proven during the programme will be packaged into government-furnished information and offered to each bidder for the navy’s unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (UCLASS) programme.

Four bidders responded to a draft request for proposals for UCLASS released in April this year, and a full RFP is expected towards the end of 2014.

The bidders for the UCLASS programme are Boeing, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman – all of which were awarded preliminary design review contracts in August 2013. The system is expected to be operational – to some degree – by 2020.

The navy’s FY2015 budget proposal includes $403 million for UCLASS funding. The service projects spending $2.67 billion on the programme through to FY2019.

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

US Navy awards Northrop Grumman multiyear contract for E-2D

The US Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a $3.6 billion multiyear contract to provide 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system aircraft.

Announced on 30 June, the acquisition will bring the total number of USN E-2Ds on order to 50, out of a total requirement for 75 aircraft.

Thirteen production aircraft have been delivered to date, and initial operating capability is expected late in 2014.



Northrop Grumman

The E-2D is a carrier-based AEW&C platform, which includes a rotating rotodome offering 360˚ surveillance and a four vertical stabiliser tail configuration.

“A multiyear procurement of these additional E-2Ds will take advantage of efficient, stable production lines at both Northrop Grumman and our suppliers, and will generate significant cost savings for taxpayers and the navy,” Bart LaGrone, vice-president of E-2/C-2 programmes at Northrop Grumman, says in a statement.

LaGrone adds that since the first delivery in 2007, every E-2D has been delivered on schedule and on budget. “It is this kind of proven programme performance and partnership with our customer that results in a multiyear contract – validating that the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the right system at the right time for the right cost,” he says.

The E-2D was derived from earlier models of the AEW&C platform, with the current model including a more powerful APY-9 radar, as well as new avionics and a glass cockpit.

The VAW-125 squadron, based out of Norfolk, Virginia, is the first established E-2D squadron. It unit assigned to Carrier Air Wing 1, and operates from the USSTheodore Roosevelt.

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

Drone-hunting lasers developed for US Navy

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/10935201/Drone-hunting-lasers-developed-for-US-Navy.html

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Live Missile Firings Test New Aegis System on board Burke class Destroyer USS John Paul Jones

Guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a series of five live-fire tests for the Baseline 9C Aegis Combat System during Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) and Naval Integrated Fire Control Counter Air (NIFC-CA) capability, June 18-20.



Over the course of three days, the crew of John Paul Jones successfully engaged six targets off the coast of Southern California, firing a total of five missiles that included four Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) missiles and one Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) missile.

One of these exercises, designated as NIFC-CA AS-02A, resulted in the longest surface-to-air engagement in naval history.

During the underway period, John Paul Jones also conducted its first ballistic missile tracking exercise while simultaneously tracking two supersonic and two subsonic missile targets. This event fully demonstrated the capabilities of Aegis Baseline 9C and of John Paul Jones as the first Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) destroyer.

"It's a great step forward for the surface navy and our integrated war fighting capability," said Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Matthew Miller. "I'm proud, really proud, to be a fire controlman, and proud to be in the Navy."



These CSSQT successes are attributed to the hard work and dedication of each and every member of the John Paul Jones crew. The long road to these missile firings started in the BAE ship repair facility in San Diego during 2012 when the ship started combat systems modernization as part of the destroyer modernization program.

Over the course of a year, John Paul Jones received the latest commercial off-the-shelf computing infrastructure, SPY-1D transmitter upgrades, and a multi-mission signal processor which comprises the Aegis Baseline 9C suite.

Since then, the crew has worked diligently to ensure that the systems are not only operational, but that they will operate effectively for future ships.

"It is my honor to serve on such a fine warship and be able to sail with the men and women who tested and demonstrated this amazing capability," said Cmdr. Andrew Thomson, the ship's commanding officer. "From the concept development phase, through design, build, installation, and test many hard working Americans came together to field this capability. I consider myself lucky to be part of that amazing team."

Thomson said that with these tests, the crew of John Paul Jones has proven that they are ready to assume the role as the Navy's Integrated Air and Missile Defense test ship following a change of homeport to Pearl Harbor later this summer.

According to Thomson, CSSQT is just the beginning. In the coming years, John Paul Jones is expected to test newer and more advanced systems that will be used to defend the nation and U.S. and allied forces overseas.

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 19, 2014) The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a live-fire test of the ship's aegis weapons system. Over the course of three days, the crew of John Paul Jones successfully engaged six targets, firing a total of five missiles that included four SM-6 models and one Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) model. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

http://www.navyrecognition.com

Citation :

Contract awarded to produce final F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) announced today a contract award to Boeing for 44 F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft over the next two years.

“The F/A-18 and EA-18G program continues to thrive, and it is by far the predominant tactical force for naval aviation – both U.S. Navy and Marine Corps,” said Capt. Frank Morley, PMA-265 program manager. “The hard work of the government and industry team to negotiate this contract will ensure that the great capabilities provided by these variants continue to serve our warfighters and foreign partners.”

With this production contract in place, the Navy will acquire the remaining aircraft included in the program of record by the end of fiscal year 2016 in addition to the 12 EA-18Gs requested by Australia in July 2013 for the Royal Australian Air Force.

“The Navy’s long-range strike fighter procurement strategy is to have a mix of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F-35 Lightning IIs by the early-2020s,” Morley said. “We will operate F/A-18 E/F and F-35 aircraft together from our aircraft carriers through the 2030s.”

The Super Hornet is highly capable aircraft across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close-air support, air-defense suppression and day/night precision strike.

Similarly, the latest variant of the F/A-18, the EA-18G Growler, is an electronic attack aircraft combining the newly developed jamming capability upgrades of the EA-6B Prowler with the tactical versatility, advancements and capabilities of the Block II Super Hornet.

F/A-18 Hornets, Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers currently operate in forty-three (43) U.S. Navy and eleven (11) U.S. Marine Corps Strike Fighter and Electronic Attack Squadrons from carriers and air stations worldwide. There are an additional fourteen (14) squadrons carrying out training, test, reserve and flight demonstration duties.

http://www.navair.navy.mil

Citation :

La Marine américaine promeut sa première femme amiral quatre étoiles

Washington, 2 juil 2014 (AFP) -

L'US Navy a promu une femme au rang d'amiral quatre étoiles pour la toute première fois en ses 238 années d'histoire, une étape majeure pour la reconnaissance de la place des femmes dans l'armée américaine.

Lors d'une cérémonie mardi au cimetière national d'Arlington, dans la banlieue de Washington, Michelle Howard a été promue chef adjointe des opérations navales, ce qui correspond au poste de numéro deux de la Marine américaine.

Mme Howard, 54 ans, est connue pour avoir dirigé une unité spéciale dans le Golfe d'Aden qui a supervisé le sauvetage en 2009, des mains de pirates somaliens, du commandant d'un navire de transport de marchandises, le capitaine Richard Phillips, incarné plus tard au cinéma par Tom Hanks dans le film "Capitaine Phillips".

"Vous ne croyez pas qu'il s'agit aujourd'hui d'une première ? Eh bien quand j'ai appelé pour commander des pattes d'épaules à quatre étoiles pour femmes, on m'a dit que cela n'existait pas", a raconté Michelle Howard lors de la cérémonie.

Le secrétaire à la Marine américaine, Ray Mabus, a pour sa part déclaré que Mme Howard avait gagné ses galons à travers une "brillante carrière navale", se félicitant de cette "première historique".

"Elle portera le fardeau d'être un modèle et elle est prête à le porter très bien", a lancé le chef des opérations navales de la Navy, l'amiral Jonathan Greenert.

Diplômée de l'Académie navale en 1982, Mme Howard est aussi la première femme noire à avoir commandé un navire militaire américain en 1999, aux manettes du USS Rushmore.

Si elle est la toute première femme à devenir amiral quatre étoiles de la Navy, l'armée de Terre et l'armée de l'Air des Etats-Unis ont déjà eu des officiers quatre étoiles de sexe féminin.

Sa promotion fait suite à la récente décision d'ouvrir les sous-marins aux femmes officiers et de permettre aux femmes d'accomplir certaines missions de combat sur le terrain, qui leur étaient jusqu'alors interdites.

Depuis 1993, les femmes sont en outre autorisées à servir leur pays dans des navires de guerre et à piloter des avions de chasse.

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/8250-la-marine-americaine-promeut-sa-premiere-femme-amiral-quatre-etoiles

Citation :

Boeing, U.S. Navy Expand P-8A Maritime Patrol Fleet with 14th Delivery


SEATTLE, July 2, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently helped expand the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol capabilities with delivery of the 14th P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

The P-8A, delivered on schedule, is now with its squadron at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. Boeing will deliver seven more of the maritime patrol aircraft this year.

“We’re putting P-8A aircraft through their paces out in the field and appreciate all the reliability, capabilities and improvements the Poseidon brings to the table,” said U.S. Navy Commander Tony Rossi, P-8A deputy program manager. “The next squadron is trained, ready to go and will begin conducting missions in the near future.”

The first P-8A squadron deployed to Kadena, Japan, in December and has been conducting operational missions ever since. The second squadron will deploy this summer.

“Our team appreciates the Navy’s urgency to induct additional P-8As into the fleet,” said Rick Heerdt, Boeing Mobility, Surveillance & Engagement vice president and program manager. “The positive feedback we’ve received about the aircraft currently in service is a great motivator.”

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The Navy plans to purchase the versatile multi-mission aircraft to replace its P-3 Orion fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As. The most recent delivery is the first from the third low-rate initial production contract awarded in 2012.

Boeing’s industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

http://boeing.mediaroom.com