Navy Sets Ambitious Shipbuilding Goal

Michael H. Standart · Apr 8, 2011

From Business Wire:

BAE Systems Wins U.S. Navy Ship Repair Contract for Six Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruisers

quote:

NORFOLK, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BAE Systems Ship Repair has been awarded a multi-ship, multi-option (MSMO) dry dock contract by the U.S. Navy to maintain six Ticonderoga class (CG 47) guided missile cruisers, either home-ported in or visiting the Norfolk, Virginia area.

More at http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110407005829/en

Michael H. Standart · Apr 12, 2011

From Defence News.com:

Ship, Sub Building Efforts Back on Track: U. S. Navy Undersecretary

quote:

The U.S. Navy's major shipbuilding and aviation programs are largely setting into stability, but questions are rising about the strategic outlook for the Navy and Marine Corps and the forces they will need in the future, all in the context of a declining defense budget.

Navy Undersecretary Robert Work is in the center of the effort to define the Navy Department's direction and map out its future roles.

Full interview at http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6189440&c=SEA&s=TOP

Michael H. Standart · Apr 15, 2011

From The Navy Newsstand:

Portsmouth Construction Increases Dry Dock Capacity

quote:

KITTERY, Maine (NNS) -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard completed improvements and certification to dry dock #2, April 12, which increased its ability to maintain larger naval ships. With construction complete, the dry dock can now accommodate a ship 592 feet long with a beam of 80 feet 11 inches.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=59779

Michael H. Standart · Apr 17, 2011

From The Navy Newsstand:

Navy to Christen USNS William McLean

quote:

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen and launch the dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS William McLean April 16 during an 8 p.m. PDT ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=59810

Michael H. Standart · Apr 19, 2011

From The Navy Newsstand:

Navy's Newest Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship USNS William McLean Launched

quote:

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USNS William McLean, the newest ship in the U.S. Navy's Lewis and Clark-class of dry cargo/ammunition ships, slid into the water for the first time during a nighttime launch and christening ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, April 16.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=59837

Michael H. Standart · Apr 23, 2011

From The Navy Times:

Va shipyard weld inspector reaches plea deal

quote:

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Court records say a former Newport News shipyard inspector accused of falsifying inspections of welds on Navy ships is expected to plead guilty to federal charges in May.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/04/ap-virginia-shipyard-weld-inspector-reaches-plea-deal-042211/

Michael H. Standart · Apr 24, 2011

From Brahmand:

Aegis combat systems installed on US Navy destroyers

quote:

MOORESTOWN, NEW JERSEY (BNS): The US Navy has installed the Aegis Combat System aboard two new Navy destroyers, USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).

More at http://www.brahmand.com/news/Aegis-combat-systems-installed-on-US-Navy-destroyers/6854/1/13.html

Comment: Notable only because these ships are fitting out!

Michael H. Standart · Apr 25, 2011

From Bloomberg:

Roughead Says ‘Fragile’ Ship Base Must Be Factored in Review

quote:

The Pentagon’s comprehensive review, which will include the U.S. Navy’s vessel procurement budget, must consider the “fragile” status of the nation’s shipbuilding industrial base, according to the chief of naval operations.

More at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-21/roughead-says-fragile-ship-base-must-be-factored-in-review.html

Michael H. Standart · Apr 29, 2011

From The Navy Times:

Shipbuilders make plaque for amphib Arlington

quote:

PASCAGOULA, Miss. – Workers at Huntington Ingalls Shipyard will present a 9/11 commemorative plaque to the crew of the amphibious transport dock Arlington.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/04/ap-shipbuilders-plaque-arlington-042811/

Michael H. Standart · Apr 30, 2011

From Aviation Week:

U.S. Navy Wants Modular Ship Construction

quote:

Shipbuilders that want to obtain or retain U.S. Navy work should look to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program for inspiration, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus says.

More at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/asd/2011/04/28/04.xml&headline=U.S.%20Navy%20Wants%20Modular%20Ship%2 0Construction

Michael H. Standart · May 2, 2011

From The Navy Times:

Oak Hill rates sparkling INSURV after problems

quote:

JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, Va. – A year and a half ago, the 14-year-old dock landing ship Oak Hill was in sad shape.

It’s no wonder. Beginning in 2005, the ship made five deployments over five years, and maintenance was on the back burner. On the fourth, one of its four main engines failed. The next time out, only three were working.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/05/navy-oak-hill-amphib-insurv-success-050111w/

Michael H. Standart · May 4, 2011

From Defence News.com:

U.S. Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps List $1B in Unfunded Needs

quote:

While the U.S. Army has funded all of its requirements in its fiscal 2012 budget request, the Air Force, the Navy and the Marine Corps have each submitted a list of unfunded requirements to Congress.

More at http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6403604&c=AME&s=SEA

Michael H. Standart · May 5, 2011

From The Navy Newsstand:

Navy to Christen Guided-Missile Destroyer Michael Murphy

quote:

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen the newest guided-missile destroyer, Michael Murphy, May 7 during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine.

The new destroyer honors Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan June 28, 2005.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60161

Michael H. Standart · May 6, 2011

From Defence News.com:

Army-to-Navy Transfer of U.S. JHSVs Finalized

quote:

The move to transfer custody of all five Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) to the U.S. Navy was formally agreed upon May 2 with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Navy and U.S. Army.

More at http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6421708&c=AME&s=SEA

Michael H. Standart · May 8, 2011

From The Navy Newsstand:

Navy Christens Guided-Missile Destroyer Michael Murphy

quote:

BATH, Maine (NNS) -- The Navy christened its newest guided-missile destroyer, Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) Michael Murphy (DDG 112), during a morning ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine May 7.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60229

Michael H. Standart · May 10, 2011

From The Navy Times:

Details emerge on cruiser’s INSURV failure

quote:

Metal debris in a main reduction gear. Trouble receiving messages. A deck gun down. Missiles likely to self-destruct after launch.

These were a few of the problems onboard the cruiser Mobile Bay in April that led to its failure by the Board of Inspection and Survey, at a time when fleet leaders are focusing on regaining maintenance footing along the waterfront. It marks the first INSURV failure this year but the third in five months, a sign of continuing stress for a busy fleet.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/05/navy-mobile-bay-insurv-details-050911w/

Comment: YIKES!!!! This is a ship which came out of a comprehensive refit only a few months ago???

Michael H. Standart · May 11, 2011

From The Navy Times:

For Navy, time to say ‘no’?

quote:

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The high pace of operations demanded by combatant commanders in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and on terrorism is taking its toll on the U.S. military, a top commander said Tuesday.

As budget growth flattens at the Pentagon, the need is becoming stronger to re-examine those demands and, in the meantime, look for ways to dial back on the response.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/05/defense-harvey-navy-response-to-demand-051011/

Comment: The fleet is being run into the ground. With the demands up and resources becoming short, I expect this problem is going to get worse.

Michael H. Standart · May 12, 2011

From The Navy Newsstand:

Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Anchorage

quote:

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen the newest amphibious transport dock ship, Anchorage, Saturday, May 14, 2011, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries - Avondale Shipyard in Avondale, La.

Anchorage is named in honor of the largest city in Alaska.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60293

Michael H. Standart · May 16, 2011

From The Navy Newsstand:

NAVSEA to Co-Host Third Annual International Frigate Working Group

quote:

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Deputy Commander for Surface Warfare (SEA 21) and Commander, Naval Surface Force are scheduled to host the third meeting of the International Frigate Working Group May 16-20 in San Diego, Calif.

The meetings, which will be held at Naval Air Station North Island, brings together current operators of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60325

Michael H. Standart · May 18, 2011

From The Navy Times:

Lawmakers react to naming ship for Cesar Chavez

quote:

SAN DIEGO – The Navy’s purported decision to name a new cargo ship after the late civil rights leader and union activist Cesar Chavez on Tuesday drew conflicting reactions from two California lawmakers.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/05/navy-duncan-hunter-blasts-ship-name-cesar-chavez-051711w/

Comment: I know that the naming of ships is a sensitive issue, but with the serious fiscal difficulties the government is having, don't they have something more important to deal with than this?