Surface Navy

US Navy adopts new strategy prioritizing ‘the building blocks’ of unmanned tech

The U.S. Navy is unlikely to pursue a formal program for unmanned surface vessels in the next five years, instead focusing on the enabling technologies first, several leaders say.

With blade issues resolved, Navy seeking four Ship to Shore Connectors a year

After technical challenges in 2020, the Navy says it can get the SSC production line moving and craft fielded to operational units this year, ahead of IOC next year.

Amphib ship requirements study could spell bad news for Marines, industry

The Navy's amphibious ship requirements study isn't quite done yet. But all the signs are pointing to a smaller fleet for the Marine Corps.

Inflation and unpredictable funding are straining Navy readiness, says top officer

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said the Navy’s funding levels have remained “flat relative to inflation for over a decade."

US Navy works to speed up damage assessments, ship repairs

The Navy won't just assume that battle damage assessments and repairs happen during war games and live exercises. It wants to actually practice these skills on ships.

VIDEOS

A 400+ ship Navy? Find out how | Surface Navy 2020

A recent CSBA study discussed how the Navy can expand and transform its surface forces for a future fight in the Pacific.

Here's the Chief of Naval Operations's view on developing a future Navy | Surface Navy 2020

Raytheon's SPY-6 radar to be integrated into several ships | Surface Navy 2020

Is the Navy on the right track? | Defense News Weekly Extra

Rep. Gallagher: Navy should be 'shouting from the rooftops'

Rep. Gallagher talks transparency, budget at surface Navy event

Navy should be ‘offended’ by its own maintenance and manning faults, admiral says

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said the Navy does not have the “luxury to do more with less.”

By Megan Eckstein and Diana Stancy Correll

US Navy official says service is going ‘head to head with our adversaries’ all over the world

Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener shared how the guided missile destroyer Mustin shadowed a Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning in the South China Sea in April 2021.

By Megan Eckstein and Diana Stancy Correll

Wanted: New missions for the littoral combat ship

Even as the Navy tries to wrap up testing of two LCS mission packages years after their original fielding dates, service leadership is also polling fleet commanders on alternate mission ideas for the LCS ships.

By Megan Eckstein

Surface warfare boss unveils strategy to create ‘more ready ships,’ better trained sailors

Here are the five lines of effort that could see the U.S. Navy's surface fleet become larger and more capable.

By Megan Eckstein

Navy reports improved ship maintenance, but is still falling short of CNO’s goals

On-time deliveries from repair periods has improved from 29% in 2018 to a projected 59% for 2021 -- but that's still short of the CNO's goal to reach no lost days to maintenance overruns by now.

By Megan Eckstein

Freedom LCS community to tackle mine warfare, grow its footprint in 2022

LCSs in Mayport have been limited to surface warfare operations in 4th Fleet since they kicked off deployment activity two years ago. In 2022, the community is looking to expand beyond that.

By Megan Eckstein

Northrop looks to adapt electronic attack system for smaller ships

Northrop Grumman is looking to adapt its SEWIP Block 3 capability built for Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to smaller ship types.

By Mark Pomerleau

Marine amphibious combat vehicles to return to waterborne operations

The Sept. 3, 2021, safety notice had identified a problem with the ACV’s towing mechanism.

By Todd South

With first shipboard radar now running, Raytheon looks to upgrade SPY-6 for distributed operations

Raytheon is already working with the Navy on a tool to net radars together for distributed operations, even before the first radar has hit the fleet.

By Megan Eckstein

US Navy completes final weapons elevator on aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford

The 11th and final advanced weapons elevator has been turned over to the crew, after the Navy has struggled to get them designed, built and tested for several years now.

By Megan Eckstein

Littoral combat ships in Mayport make the most of a year of restricted operations

The LCSs operating out of Mayport faced some restrictions while the Navy engineered a solution to their combining gear flaws, but the LCS Squadron commander says they've made the most of that time and established their role in the fleet.

By Megan Eckstein

US Navy fires laser weapon in Mideast amid drone boat threat

The Houthis have deployed drone boats into these waters, which can be piloted remotely and sent up to a target before detonating.

By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press

Bath Iron Works plays catch-up on ship delivery after years of upheaval

Defense News traveled to Maine to meet with shipyard and union leaders, who spoke about the state of the company, its workforce and its future.

By Megan Eckstein

In the wake of tragedy, the US surface fleet is all in on simulators

After the tragic summer of 2017, the U.S. Navy's surface force has pushed simulators into the fleet.

By David B. Larter

Surface Navy

The U.S. Navy is unlikely to pursue a formal program for unmanned surface vessels in the next five years, instead focusing on the enabling technologies first, several leaders say.

After technical challenges in 2020, the Navy says it can get the SSC production line moving and craft fielded to operational units this year, ahead of IOC next year.

The Navy's amphibious ship requirements study isn't quite done yet. But all the signs are pointing to a smaller fleet for the Marine Corps.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said the Navy’s funding levels have remained “flat relative to inflation for over a decade."

The Navy won't just assume that battle damage assessments and repairs happen during war games and live exercises. It wants to actually practice these skills on ships.

VIDEOS

A recent CSBA study discussed how the Navy can expand and transform its surface forces for a future fight in the Pacific.

More Videos

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Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said the Navy does not have the “luxury to do more with less.”

Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener shared how the guided missile destroyer Mustin shadowed a Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning in the South China Sea in April 2021.

Even as the Navy tries to wrap up testing of two LCS mission packages years after their original fielding dates, service leadership is also polling fleet commanders on alternate mission ideas for the LCS ships.

Here are the five lines of effort that could see the U.S. Navy's surface fleet become larger and more capable.

On-time deliveries from repair periods has improved from 29% in 2018 to a projected 59% for 2021 -- but that's still short of the CNO's goal to reach no lost days to maintenance overruns by now.

LCSs in Mayport have been limited to surface warfare operations in 4th Fleet since they kicked off deployment activity two years ago. In 2022, the community is looking to expand beyond that.

Northrop Grumman is looking to adapt its SEWIP Block 3 capability built for Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to smaller ship types.

The Sept. 3, 2021, safety notice had identified a problem with the ACV’s towing mechanism.

Raytheon is already working with the Navy on a tool to net radars together for distributed operations, even before the first radar has hit the fleet.

The 11th and final advanced weapons elevator has been turned over to the crew, after the Navy has struggled to get them designed, built and tested for several years now.

The LCSs operating out of Mayport faced some restrictions while the Navy engineered a solution to their combining gear flaws, but the LCS Squadron commander says they've made the most of that time and established their role in the fleet.

The Houthis have deployed drone boats into these waters, which can be piloted remotely and sent up to a target before detonating.

Defense News traveled to Maine to meet with shipyard and union leaders, who spoke about the state of the company, its workforce and its future.

After the tragic summer of 2017, the U.S. Navy's surface force has pushed simulators into the fleet.

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