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Raytheon awarded Phalanx work
26th October 2015 - 11:30 by the Shephard News Team



Raytheon has been awarded a $159.9 million contract by the US Department of Defense to manufacture, inspect and test Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) for the US Navy, the company announced on 23 October.

The contract provides for an option worth $10 million in fiscal year 2015 and another option worth $291 million in fiscal year 2016.
Work includes the provision of support equipment for the Phalanx and SeaRAM weapon systems, Block 1B radar upgrades and kits for reliability, maintainability, and availability. The overhaul of four land-based Phalanx Weapon Systems will also be covered under the contract.

The work is expected to be completed by August 2018.

Rick Nelson, vice president, naval and area mission defense product line, Raytheon, said: ‘Phalanx provides the US Navy's ships with a 'last-chance' defense against anti-ship missiles and littoral warfare threats while SeaRAM extends that inner-layer battlespace. Close-in systems give warfighters the ability to automatically carry out functions usually performed by separate systems on other ships.’

Cumprimentos

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USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) high speed acceptance trials.

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http://news.usni.org/2015/11/04/navy-half-the-carrier-fleet-tied-up-in-maintenance-other-5-strained-to-meet-demands

The Navy has run its 10 aircraft carriers hard since USS Enterprise (CVN-65) decommissioned in December 2012 and is now paying the resulting maintenance bill, with half the fleet tied up in repairs and the other five trying to keep up with combatant commanders’ needs.

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on aircraft carrier presence, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers Rear Adm. Tom Moore said that five of the 10 carriers are unavailable for tasking due to maintenance work.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is in the middle of its Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, and USS George Washington (CVN-73) is making a slow, engagement-filled voyage from its previous homeport in Japan to Newport News Shipbuilding, where it will await the start of its RCOH in 2017. USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is in a 14-month availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is in an eight-month availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is in a six-month availability in San Diego, Moore said.

“I think what we’ve seen here recently, as a result of being down to 10 carriers and having to run carriers at a pace faster than they were designed for – for instance, Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) just finished a 24-month availability, which was only scheduled for 14 months; she had deployed four times since 2008 with only one maintenance availability in there. So much faster than we had designed, consumed the service life of that ship much faster, so it’s really no surprise that you saw some of the impacts there.

“We’ve got to get our arms around that, I’ve certainly spend a lot of time looking at Eisenhower to figure out where we can do better going into maintenance periods,” Moore said.

Moore said during the hearing that the operational tempo for the carrier fleet has gotten higher since Enterprise decommissioned but that not all carriers have been used equally in the last three years. Nimitz and Eisenhower in particular have been pushed hard, and it shows in the maintenance periods. Ike’s 14-month maintenance availability had to be extended by nearly a year, forcing USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) to take on an unscheduled deployment this fall with only a reduced maintenance availability after its last deployment – which may hurt Truman down the road.

And Nimitz will spend the better part of three years in maintenance to make up for work that has been skipped previously to allow for greater overseas presence, Moore said.

“We really run her at a higher optempo than some of the other carriers, so of the availabilities we have going on right now I would tell you that the Nimitz one up in Bremerton is the most challenging in terms of the size of the work package,” he said. To compensate, rather than send Nimitz straight into its regularly scheduled docked availability, the Navy inserted a 14-month “extended maintenance availability” to be followed by the docked period, “so she’s going to have, in the span of three years, a significant amount of maintenance done on her to try to catch back up.”

Even if Nimitz and Eisenhower took the worst of the combined carrier shortfall and uptick in combatant commander demand since 2012, the other ships have been pushed hard too.

“In the last three years in order to meet the demand signal from the COCOMS … we’ve run the carriers harder than we’ve typically done and harder than they were designed,” Moore said.
“We’ve had, since 2012, seven aircraft carriers that have gone more than 300 days deployed time between maintenance availabilities – not all consecutive (deployed days), but that’s an awful lot of run time, and that’s a challenge we’re going to have to continue to face here until we get” USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which will commission next year but not be operationally available until 2021 due to first-in-class test and evaluation.

The Navy is transitioning into its new deployment schedule, the Optimized Fleet Response Plan, which would limit deployments to seven months and ensure proper maintenance and training time for the ships, crews and air wings. However, given that only five carriers are currently available for tasking, HASC seapower ranking member Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) asked if the Navy could realistically stick to its plan.

“You’re going to be showered in demands, and it’s going to take discipline to sort of maintain this for the next three years or so,” he said to the four Navy officials testifying at the hearing.
“Do you all feel confident we’re going to be able to get through this patch and accomplish the goals of a fleet that is ready to meet all the requirements that are out there?”

Vice Adm. John Aquilino, vice chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, responded that “we’re confident that our model and our plans will get us where we need to be, absent the fact that the world gets a vote.”

Already the Navy has chosen to accept gaps in carrier presence around the world to deal with the current condition of the carrier fleet. There is no aircraft carrier in the Middle East presently, though Truman will deploy later this year to U.S. 5th Fleet. Aquilino said the Navy would risk having carrier gaps in the Middle East or Pacific, where there had previously been at least one or two carrier strike groups in each theater at all times, until 2021.

Navy acquisition chief Sean Stackley added that “we’re operating a small number of carriers, low-density, high-demand, and if the temperature rises in a risk area around the world, then senior leadership is going to have to decide is it more important to do that maintenance, which is a long-term investment, or do we have to respond today to the immediate crisis.”

He said that returning to an 11-carrier force in 2021 will help create a more sustainable schedule for maintenance and deployments, but being down a carrier now means driving the other 10 ships harder, which puts more ships in maintenance than planned, which forces even fewer ships to work even harder to meet global requirements.

Moore told USNI News after the hearing that he learned a lot of lessons from the Eisenhower maintenance availability, after back-to-back deployments without maintenance and four total deployments in seven years. He will apply those lessons to Truman when that carrier returns from what is essentially a back-to-back deployment, with just a couple months maintenance for only the most necessary work rather than a full planned maintenance availability.

Moore noted than Truman might not come back in as bad a condition as Eisenhower did after the double deployment, given than Truman is only 18 years old compared to the 38-year-old Ike.

“So a little bit younger ship, so it has the ability to kind of absorb a little bit more than say Eisenhower did,” Moore said.

Still, “we made a conscious decision to shorten the maintenance period, we don’t like to do that but we’ll keep a very close eye on that when she comes back for her next availability.”

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrives pierside at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton prior to a planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. US Navy photo.

Saudações

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USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and the Japanese JS Izumo (DDH-183)

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Pacific Ocean, Nov. 10, 2015. A Standard Missile 2 is fired from the forward missile deck aboard the guided-missile
destroyer USS William P.Lawrence (DDG 110).

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Coronado, Calif., Nov. 9, 2015. A "combatant craft medium" boat assigned to Naval Special Warfare Special Boat Team 12
transits the San Diego bay. The CCM is a reconfigurable, multimission maritime surface tactical mobility craft with a primary
mission to insert and extract special operations forces in a medium threat environment.

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É o "Humwee" dos SEAL.

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Philippine Sea, Nov, 15, 2015. The US Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits
this area with its embarked Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing (CAW) 5.

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http://news.usni.org/2015/12/08/u-s-to-deploy-navy-p-8a-poseidon-aircraft-to-singapore

U.S. to Deploy Navy P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to Singapore

Singapore has given the go-ahead for U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft to operate out of its airbases to patrol the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

On Monday, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Singapore Defense Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen signed an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) at the Pentagon, where Dr Ng is currently on a state visit.

According to a joint statement released by both countries, the enhanced DCA “will provide a new framework for an expanded defence relationship between the two nations” by enhancing existing defense cooperation as well as doing so in new areas such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and cyber defense.

The joint statement also said that the deployment of the P-8A to Singapore was conducted within the scope of a 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) between the United States and Singapore, which sees Singapore providing logistical support to U.S. military aircraft and vessels in the region.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) praised the development in a Tuesday statement provided to USNI News.
“Singapore is a long-time friend and partner of the United States who has always punched above its weight when it comes to cooperating with the U.S. military,” the statement read.
“Just like with the four LCSs scheduled to rotate through Singapore in the years ahead, the regular deployment of P-8s will enhance our presence in a part of Southeast Asia where our partners are increasingly asking us to operate more regularly.”

Meanwhile, a news release issued by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet Public Affairs announced that a USN Poseidon has already been deployed to Singapore to “to support cooperative efforts in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.” The inaugural deployment, scheduled to take place from Dec. 7th to 14th, expands U.S. forward presence and engagement with partner nations, contributing to regional security, stability and prosperity.

The P-8A is most likely to be an aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 War Eagles, which is currently forward-deployed to Kadena Airbase in Okinawa. The U.S. Navy deploys two PATRONS to the Western Pacific on rotational deployments, with a Lockheed-Martin P-3C Orion squadron at Misawa, Japan alongside the Kadena-based P-8As.

Although the press release did not identify the Singaporean airbase the P-8A, it is most likely Paya Lebar Airbase in Singapore’s northwest, where U.S. military aircraft regularly call into for logistical support and training exercises with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Singapore has been a staunch supporter of the U.S. military presence in the region. The island nation, which gained independence in 1965, provided logistical support to U.S. forces during the Vietnam War and was a popular Rest and Recreation (R&R) destination for servicemen during that period. Singapore is today home to a small but important U.S. military logistics component supporting air and naval operations in the region.

These include the U.S. Navy’s Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOG WESTPAC) and Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF 73). COMLOG WESTPAC provides logistical support for U.S. Navy ships deployed to the 7th Fleet Area of Operations while CTF 73 conducts advanced planning, facilitates communication with host nations, promotes military to military relations, organizes resources, and directly supports the execution of training exercises with regional navies.

The Republic of Singapore Navy’s Changi Naval Base also currently plays host to a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) on rotational deployments to the region, which is due to increase to four ships from 2017. Changi is also a regular port of call for 7th Fleet Ships, and is the only base in the region outside of Japan deep enough for U.S. Navy aircraft carriers to come alongside during port calls

With a prosperous economy that is highly dependent on seaborne commerce, Singapore sees the freedom of navigation and commerce as vital interests, particularly the strategic Straits of Malacca and South China Sea, which lie on either side of Singapore.

Although a non-claimant to the disputed islands in the South China Sea and repeatedly stating that it takes no sides in the dispute, Singapore’s leaders have nonetheless made clear their increasing concern about rising tensions over the disputes and have called for restraint by all claimants and for the U.S. to remain engaged in the region.

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon takes off from NAS Jacksonville, Fla. US Navy Photo

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http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=92314

France Takes Command of NAVCENT Task Force 50

RED SEA (NNS) -- A French flag officer embarked in the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle took command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 50 Dec. 7, leading coalition naval strike operations for Operation Inherent Resolve -- the fight to degrade and ultimately destroy the ISIL terrorist organization.

Commander, French Maritime Force, Rear Adm. Rene-Jean Crignola, embarked in Charles de Gaulle, took command of CTF 50, which plans and conducts strike operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

This integration of France's premier naval strike force into a critical leadership role in the NAVCENT command and control structure demonstrates its exceptional interoperability with U.S. and other coalition forces.

Charles de Gaulle's presence in the region signals the return of carrier-based naval aviation to the fight against ISIL. The carrier and embarked air wing, along with the other ships in her battle group, will support strike operations over Iraq and Syria. She will also provide a range of flexible and adaptable capabilities to perform theater security cooperation efforts and maritime security operations aimed at increasing the French navy's interoperability with allies in the region.

The battle group left its home port of Toulon, France, Nov. 18.

Escorting Charles de Gaulle are the air defense destroyer (FN) Chevalier Paul; the anti-submarine frigate (FN) La Motte-Picquet; the anti-submarine frigate (BN) Leopold Ier, the anti-submarine frigate (GN) Augsburg; the command and supply ship (FN) Marne; and a (FN) nuclear attack submarine.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. NAVCENT's mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nation's maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

151207-N-ZZ999-501
SUEZ CANAL (Dec. 7, 2015) The French navy nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) transits the Suez Canal as it enters the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. Commander, French Maritime Force, Rear Adm. Rene-Jean Crignola, embarked aboard Charles de Gaulle, took command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 50 Dec. 7. CTF 50 plans and conducts strike operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (Official French navy photo/Released)

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http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/12/07/largest-destroyer-built-navy-headed-sea-testing.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+militarydotcom%2Fnavynews+%28Military.com+Navy+News%29

Largest Destroyer Built for Navy Headed to Sea for Testing

BATH, Maine — The largest destroyer ever built for the U.S. Navy headed out to sea for the first time Monday, departing from shipbuilder Bath Iron Works and carefully navigating the winding Kennebec River before reaching the open ocean where the ship will undergo sea trials.

More than 200 shipbuilders, sailors and residents gathered to watch as the futuristic 600-foot, 15,000-ton USS Zumwalt glided past Fort Popham, accompanied by tugboats.

Kelley Campana, a Bath Iron Works employee, said she had goose bumps and tears in her eyes.

"This is pretty exciting. It's a great day to be a shipbuilder and to be an American," she said. "It's the first in its class. There's never been anything like it. It looks like the future."

Larry Harris, a retired Raytheon employee who worked on the ship, watched it depart from Bath.

"It's as cool as can be. It's nice to see it underway," he said. "Hopefully, it will perform as advertised."

Bath Iron Works will be testing the ship's performance and making tweaks this winter. The goal is to deliver it to the Navy sometime next year.

"We are absolutely fired up to see Zumwalt get underway. For the crew and all those involved in designing, building, and readying this fantastic ship, this is a huge milestone," the ship's skipper, Navy Capt. James Kirk, said before the ship departed.

The ship has electric propulsion, new radar and sonar, powerful missiles and guns, and a stealthy design to reduce its radar signature. Advanced automation will allow the warship to operate with a much smaller crew size than current destroyers.

All of that innovation has led to construction delays and a growing price tag. The Zumwalt, the first of three ships in the class, will cost at least $4.4 billion.

The ship looks like nothing ever built at Bath Iron Works.

The inverse bow juts forward to slice through the waves. Sharp angles deflect enemy radar signals. Radar and antennas are hidden in a composite deckhouse.

The builder sea trials will answer any questions of seaworthiness for a ship that utilizes a type of hull associated with pre-dreadnought battleships from a century ago.

Critics say the "tumblehome" hull's sloping shape makes it less stable than conventional hulls, but it contributes to the ship's stealth and the Navy is confident in the design.

Eric Wertheim, author and editor of the U.S. Naval Institute's "Guide to Combat Fleets of the World," said there's no question the integration of so many new systems from the electric drive to the tumblehome hull carries some level of risk.

Operational concerns, growing costs and fleet makeup led the Navy to truncate the 32-ship program to three ships, he said. With only three ships, the class of destroyers could become something of a technology demonstration project, he said.

The first Zumwalt-class destroyer, the largest ever built for the U.S. Navy, heads down the Kennebec River after leaving Bath Iron Works, Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, in Bath, Maine. The ship is headed out to sea for the first time to F.

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http://news.usni.org/2015/12/07/zumwalt-destroyer-leaves-yard-for-first-set-of-trials

Zumwalt Destroyer Leaves Yard for First Set of Sea Trials

On Monday morning, the first-in-class Zumwalt-class destroyer left its pier at General Dynamics Bath Iron Work, headed down Maine’s Kennebec River bound for the Atlantic Ocean and its first taste of saltwater.

The 16,000-ton Zumwalt (DDG-1000) departed the yard for its first set of open ocean trials — years after the ship began construction in 2008 and after several production delays.

The trials follows a four day “fast cruise” in October in which the ship did everything from rolling the shafts, bringing up and down systems, testing failure modes, testing watch station effectiveness,” Sean Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition (RDA) told Defense News last month.
“We did everything that we could next to the pier prior to getting underway.”

Outside of releasing photos of the ship on social media and its website, the Navy did not give many details on the trials.

Zumwalt is the first of three planned ships in the $22.1 billion program that promises a next generation propulsion system that has enough energy to power future sensors and weapon systems.

However, delays in production for the ships at BIW have pushed back delivery schedules for other ships in the yard.

Zumwalt (DDG-1000) is underway for the first time conducting at-sea tests and trials in the Atlantic Ocean on Dec. 7, 2015. US Navy Photo


Zumwalt on Dec. 7, 2015. US Navy Photo

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