In a move which marked a new step in the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Jammer electronic warfare system, the U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon a $1 billion contract for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of NGJ prototypes. The contract will see Raytheon deliver 15 Engineering Development Mod
U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Comand has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract modification for work on the integrated surface ship Undersea Warfare System (USW) systems. The AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 provides surface warships with an integrated undersea/anti-submarine warfare detection, localization, classifica
Australian-based shipbuilder Austal has laid the keel for the eighth U.S. Navy Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel Yuma (EPF 8) at its Mobile, Alabama facility during a ceremony held March 29. The ship is built under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion block-buy contract awarded to Austal in 2008. Laying the ke
The U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet operating in Europe and Africa has established a new task force that will be solely responsible for ballistic missile defense in Europe. On March 24, Commodore Jeffrey Wolstenholme assumed command of the newly established Commander, Task Force 64, as the unit was named. U.S
U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) departed Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor March 13, for its first strategic deterrent mission since 2011. Kentucky recently completed a 40-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO) to extend the life of the submarine for another 20 y
Two U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships, USS Kearsarge and USS Boxer have received Battle Effectiveness (Battle “E”) awards. The officers and crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) were awarded March 3, while USS Boxer received its Battle E for the fifth consecutive year on March 6
U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), took the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7 aboard for a patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Bonhomme Richard arrived in White Beach, Okinawa February 28 to r
U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), arrived in White Beach, Okinawa after completing a 9-day certification exercise (CERTEX) in the East China Sea, February 28. The ships embarked the 31st Marine Expeditionary Un
The crew of the U.S. Navy’s next aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) held their first all-hands general quarters (GQ) damage control drill February 4. General Quarters, Battle Stations, or Action Stations is an announcement made aboard a naval warship to signal the all hands aboard a s
Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) tested the carriers catapult one by performing a ‘no-load’ test on January 28. The success of this firing marked another milestone in the ship’s Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) process. Captain Ron L. Ravelo, Lin
The U.S. Navy’s amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan departed the city’s base and headed to Okinawa, Japan January 29. Part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), Germantown is scheduled to participate in Amphibious Integration Traini
Sailors from the U.S. Navy’s submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) began maintenance on guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) during a continuous maintenance availability (CMAV) period January 10. A CMAV is time set aside for maintenance and repairs. A ship or submarine enters a CMAV
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), departed Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan on January 18 for its patrol of the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The Wasp-class a
Guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) departed its Norfolk homeport of more than 20 years bound for Yokosuka, Japan, and the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Jan. 12. Commanding Officer Jennifer Eaton and more than 300 Sailors will journey through the Panama Canal an
