DefenceTalkLockheed Martin recently completed a milestone test on the U.S. Navy’s evolutionary Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 system. This test further validated the system’s ability to protect the Navy’s fleet from evolving anti-ship missile threats. Under SEWIP Block 2, Lockheed Martin will upgrade the AN/SLQ-32(V)2 system found on all U.S. aircraft carriers, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-completes-critical-milestone-to-upgrade-us-navys-electronic-warfare-defenses-50132/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy on December 17, executed funding procurement for the second year of the V-22 multi-year procurement (MYPII) contract. This action identifies full funding to Bell-Boeing for the second year of the V-22 MYPII contract and provides $1.3B for the procurement of 22 V-22 aircraft (3 Air Force CV-22s and 19 Marine Corps MV-22s), […]https://www.defencetalk.com/navy-executes-second-year-of-6-5-billion-multi-year-procurement-contract-49955/

DefenceTalkThe realization is setting in that the military superiority the U.S. enjoyed over the two decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War is eroding. In part this is a consequence of the realization by potential adversaries that they were unlikely to prevail in a conventional conflict with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-should-invest-in-game-changing-capabilities-49890/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy is deploying Raytheon’s Standard Missile-6 for the first time, marking the initial operational capability milestone for the U.S. Navy’s newest, most advanced extended range area defense weapon. “We’re very pleased to achieve initial operational capability on schedule,” said Capt. Mike Ladner, Surface Ship Weapons major program manager. “The SM-6, with its ability […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-deploys-standard-missile-6-for-first-time-49789/

DefenceTalkThe US Navy has deployed sophisticated surveillance aircraft to Japan, officials said Monday, amid rising tension over China’s territorial claims in the region. Two P-8A Poseidon patrol jets departed Jacksonville, Florida on Friday and arrived later at Kadena air base in Okinawa, in a move that was planned before Beijing declared an air defense zone […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-deploys-new-surveillance-aircraft-to-japan-49793/

DefenceTalkThe Navy’s newest maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) after the first two P-8A Poseidons departed for deployment Nov. 29. This announcement comes weeks after the completion of the Operational Readiness Evaluation of the first deploying P-8A Poseidon squadron and the commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Group […]https://www.defencetalk.com/p-8a-aircraft-program-achieves-initial-operational-capability-49787/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman Corporation has delivered the second MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter to the U.S. Navy after completing final assembly at the company’s unmanned systems center in Moss Point, Miss. The aircraft is joining the first one delivered to Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif., to conduct flight testing before using the system for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-delivers-additional-mq-8c-fire-scout-to-the-us-navy-49757/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the not-yet-launched Zumwalt-class destroyer he toured here today “represents the cutting edge of our naval capabilities.” The ship, now known as the Pre-Commissioning Unit, or PCU, Zumwalt, will become the USS Zumwalt, named for former Navy Adm. Elmo Zumwalt. Officials said the ship is about a year away from joining […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-visits-first-zumwalt-class-destroyer-49725/

DefenceTalkHuntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division today christened Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the first ship of the next-generation class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. “There is perhaps no more visible or powerful representation of America’s military strength than the hull that towers above us,” said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), who served as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/aircraft-carrier-gerald-r-ford-cvn-78-christened-at-newport-news-shipbuilding-49604/

DefenceTalkGeneral Dynamics Bath Iron Works successfully launched the Navy’s first Zumwalt-class destroyer Oct. 28 at their Bath, Maine shipyard. The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) will be the lead ship of the Navy’s newest destroyer class, designed for littoral operations and land attack. The ship began its translation from Bath Iron Works’ land-level construction facility […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-ddg-1000-zumwalt-class-destroyer-launched-49524/