General Dynamics Electric Boat has awarded BWXT Nuclear Operations Group a contract for the delivery of Virginia Payload Module (VPM) launch tubes. According to the company, the contract is worth approximately $35 million. The VPM will comprise four large-diameter payload tubes in a new hull section
The U.S. Navy’s unmanned helicopter, MQ-8B Fire Scout, celebrated 10 years of flight on December 18, during a ceremony at Webster Field Annex, Maryland. The helicopter flew 15,000 hours during test and real-world operations since its first flight ten years ago. Fire Scout’s next variant, the MQ-8C w
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Bechtel Plant Machinery a $303 million contract for naval nuclear propulsion components. Part of the engineering and construction giant Bechtel Corp, Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. (BPMI) is responsible for providing design and manufacturing of nuclear p
U.S. Navy’s Eisenhower carrier strike group (Ike CSG) departed the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations on December 26, six days after it set sail from the French city of Marseille. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and guided-missil
The U.S. Navy has awarded Electric Boat Corp. a $34.6 million contract modification to exercise options to procure on board repair parts for Virginia-class submarines, SSN 792 and 793. Under this modification, the U.S. Navy is procuring mechanical and electronic repair parts that will be stored on t
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain arrived in Puerto Princesa, the Philippines for a brief port call on December 24. During the visit, the McCain crew will participate in a series of community service projects and sporting events. The visit comes months after
The U.S. Navy received USS Gabrielle Giffords, littoral combat ship number ten, during a ceremony held at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard. The future USS Gabrielle Giffords is the fifth Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) delivered to the USN since 2009 and the fourth naval vessel deli
U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) concluded its participation in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) and returned to its homeport of Everett, Washington, on December 23. During the two-month underway, Sampson became the first U.S. warship to visit New Zealand in
The Blue crew of the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) returned home concluding a 92-day strategic deterrent patrol. The submarine crew entered their homeport of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Washington, on December 23. “We are glad to have the USS Pennsylvan
U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarine USS Buffalo returned to its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam on December 23, completing her last deployment before decommissioning. During her final, seven-month deployment, Buffalo visited Singapore and participated in cooperative exercises with the
After 12 years of idleness in port, U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) deployed this year for a busy 2016. After six months underway, the ship is now set to return to Norfolk on December 24. Once there, Wasp will undergo a planned maintenance availability that is expected to be fin
The U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center has awarded Lockheed Martin a $150.9 million contract for the Target Sight System (TSS) on the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. The TSS is a large-aperture midwave forward-looking infrared sensor with a laser designator/rangefinder turret. The system provides the
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $146.7 million contract modification to increase the design support requirements for the Columbia-class submarine. The new class of submarines, formerly known as the Ohio Replacement, are replacing the U.S. Navy’s curren
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations after departing its homeport earlier his month. Cole, assigned to Commander Task Force 65, entered Europe on December 21 to conduct a regularly-scheduled deployment in support of
