DefenceTalkHuntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that the amphibious transport dock Somerset (LPD 25) returned from successful U.S. Navy acceptance sea trials on Sept. 20. The company’s ninth ship in the San Antonio (LPD 17) class returned to the company’s Avondale facility following three days of at-sea demonstrations and testing. The 684-foot-long vessel’s primary mission […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ingalls-built-somerset-lpd-25-successfully-completes-acceptance-trials-49366/

DefenceTalkA US naval commander has been sacked over his alleged links to an elaborate bribery scandal that involved prostitutes, luxury travel and multimillion-dollar government contracts, officials said Friday. Captain Daniel Dusek, commanding officer of the USS Bonhomme Richard based at the port of Sasebo, Japan, was relieved of his duties “due to a loss of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-commander-sacked-in-widening-bribery-scandal-49300/

DefenceTalkOn October 1, the Capitol Hill weekly Roll Call ran a ridiculous commentary by an anti-nuclear activist arguing that the Navy was seeking a budgetary “bailout” at the expense of its sister services to buy more ballistic-missile submarines than it needs. The boats would replace the current Ohio class of subs, which provide the most […]https://www.defencetalk.com/why-fielding-fewer-than-twelve-ballistic-missile-subs-could-be-disastrous-for-america-49282/

DefenceTalkThe Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Coronado (LCS 4) during a ceremony at the Austal USA shipyard here Sept. 27. Coronado is the fourth littoral combat ship (LCS) to deliver to the Navy, the second of the Independence variant – noted for its trimaran hull – to join the fleet. Capt. Randy Garner, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-accepts-delivery-of-the-future-uss-coronado-lcs-4-49239/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines and the United States will begin war games near disputed South China Sea waters this week, showcasing fast-expanding military ties and likely further stoking tensions with China. The annual exercises, which involve 2,300 marines from both sides, will take place amid the backdrop of ongoing negotiations to further increase an American military presence […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-us-to-hold-war-games-near-south-china-sea-49103/

DefenceTalkThe Chief of Naval Operations recently approved the Undersea Domain Operating Concept (UDOC) to ensure the U.S. Navy maintains undersea superiority into the future. Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) worked with commander, Submarine Forces and other stakeholders to develop this concept. Navy concepts are ways to stimulate innovation and the UDOC is a consolidation of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/undersea-domain-operating-concept-approved-by-chief-of-naval-operations-49025/

DefenceTalkThe Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) is transitioning into a new type/model/series (TMS) for the first time in 50 years. To make this transition a success, the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) and industry leaders are working to sustain the legacy P-3C and EP-3E while the P-8A TMS is being introduced to the fleet. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-details-transition-from-p-3-to-p-8-aircraft-49031/

DefenceTalkSecretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today directed the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy/Deputy Chief Management Officer (DUSN/DCMO) to begin a comprehensive assessment of the business challenges facing the Navy and Marine Corps. He also instructed the offices of the DUSN/DCMO to begin developing a plan to address the multiple budgetary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/department-of-the-navy-prepares-to-face-new-challenges-48915/

DefenceTalkThis week, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert released his Navigation Plan for the Navy for 2014 to 2018 to the fleet. Drawing from the Sailing Directions and the three tenets of Warfighting First, Operate Forward and Be Ready, the Navigation Plan defines the course and speed the Navy will follow to organize, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-releases-navigation-plan-for-2014-2018-48797/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy recently awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $1.98 billion contract for 13 additional P-8A Poseidon aircraft, continuing the modernization of U.S. maritime patrol capabilities that will ultimately involve more than 100 P-8As. The contract includes long-lead funding previously approved by the Navy. The Navy has now ordered 37 of the 117 P-8As it […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-boeing-sign-order-p-8a-poseidon-aircraft-48670/