US Navy News and updates

colay1

Member
The USN is more or less sorted except for the LCS program. It should be a Trump target above and beyond either Air Frorce One or the JSF.
I think the former SECNAV and the Admirals had pretty much firmed up their strategy for LCS and FF. A lot will depend on where the new SECNAV gets his info but being a novice I'd hope he listens to those within his own organization and build on what is already in the works.
 

FormerDirtDart

Well-Known Member
I think the former SECNAV and the Admirals had pretty much firmed up their strategy for LCS and FF. A lot will depend on where the new SECNAV gets his info but being a novice I'd hope he listens to those within his own organization and build on what is already in the works.
Robert Work is staying on a DepSecDef. Work has pretty much been one of the lead proponents for the LCS since it's conception. I would think the LCS/FF will proceed along it's currently planned restructuring. Maybe accelerating the retrofitting of the LCS vessels with the FF equipment.
 

colay1

Member
Bob Work will certainly provide his input to his new boss in the few months of his extension. CSBA analysis of the FF requirement reveals it would take 2 years to write up he specs for a new design then another 6-9 years from contract signing to delivery of the first ship to the fleet.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I/V with VADM Rowden on DefenseNews

he's the architect of Distributed Lethality etc....

I've only got hardcopy, but I assume soft is available
 

colay1

Member
This appears to be the aforementioned interview. He had a very instructive explanation for those who feel the Navy should be moving faster to field new assets.


Interview: Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, Commander, US Naval Forces

DefenseNews : In 2016 the Chinese Navy commissioned a 4,000-ton frigate in late February and sent it on a 7-month deployment six weeks later. It often takes a year or more for the US Navy to deploy a new destroyer. What are the Chinese doing that the US Navy does not? What does the US Navy do that the Chinese don’t?

Adm. Rowden : Two gray ships riding on the sea go by. They’ve got a bunch of flags flying and a bunch of sailors up on deck. One of them couldn’t fight their way out of a wet paper bag and the other one will rock anything that it comes up against. Could we commission a guided-missile destroyer and steam it out of the harbor and take it on a world cruise? Yeah, I could. But in that situation I would not be taking care of what I refer to as the center of the universe. I want those men and women on that ship to be 100 percent confident in the ship and confident in the execution of any mission leadership may give them. So what are the Chinese thinking? I don’t know anything about it. I would tell you that I find it kind of interesting they feel they have to do that. To what end? I don’t know.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
yep, I like the cut of his jib :)

it also gets back to what I said months ago about the PLAN and the "great white fleet" scenarios
 

rjtjrt

Member
At least he wasn't underway so some mitigation. It's possible the CO wasn't even on board as they were anchored off Yokosuka. OOD and Anchor Watch may have some explaining.
Wonder how high the high winds were but agree, not a good look.
This begs the question, is it time for Navy to ditch the tradition of career end for CO?
In aviation, the blaming of crew has been replaced with learning and dissemination of lessons learned to rest of service.
 

ASSAIL

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
This begs the question, is it time for Navy to ditch the tradition of career end for CO?
In aviation, the blaming of crew has been replaced with learning and dissemination of lessons learned to rest of service.
There's long list of Flag Officers who've run aground whilst in command of destroyers and other smaller ships. Nimitz and Halsey for starters.
 

ADMk2

Just a bloke
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
yep, I like the cut of his jib :)

it also gets back to what I said months ago about the PLAN and the "great white fleet" scenarios
Once again the comments - 'yeah but the missiles speed is subsonic versus the supersonics...'

Gawd...
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Once again the comments - 'yeah but the missiles speed is subsonic versus the supersonics...'

Gawd...
I've rolled my eyes to the back of my head so many times after seeing those kinds of comments that its a wonder that I don't have whiplash
 

colay1

Member
Two sides to the same coin. The Big E is finally decommissioned after heralding in the age of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. At the same time, initial work on the future CVN-80 that will continue the proud heritage is ongoing.



Navy decommissions USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, 'The Big E' - UPI.com

Navy decommissions USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, 'The Big E'

Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Navy decommissioned the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier in a ceremony in Virginia on Friday, officially bringing the storied 55-year career of a ship affectionately known as "The Big E" to a close.

https://news.usni.org/2017/02/02/23527

Newport News Shipbuilding Awarded $25M For CVN-80 Advance Fabrication

The Navy awarded Newport News Shipbuilding $25.5 million to begin advance fabrication of aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN-80).

After beginning advance construction planning activities last spring, initial structure fabrication and shop work on the third Ford-class carrier should last through March 2018, the company announced in a statement.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Yes, the numbers are pretty ugly and the solutions may be just as ugly. As the USN
is most often called upon it would seem they should get a bigger share of the defence pie if the the overall budget remains sequestered. This of course would lead to some serious and ugly service confrontations. If sequestration ends, money would be made available but with the US debt approaching 20 trillion this number is the ugliest of all. The USA now finds itself in the same position as Britain was at the start of the 20th century, lots of interests around the world and a shrinking revenue stream to support these interests. This situation was made even worse by the First World War, something President and his team should carefully consider prior to any new military adventure. US allies need to step up and help with defence expenditures. Using the tired "we can't afford it" excuse won't mean squat if the US bankrupts itself with defence costs resulting in a huge global financial crisis whereby nations can't afford anything including social programs.
 

t68

Well-Known Member
This is CSBA's take on the USN future requirements. It is just as unaffordable as other proposed solutions assuming sequestration remains in place. The 4000-5000 ton frigate (and around 70 of them) is pretty ambitious!

Big Wars, Small Ships: CSBA’s Alternative Navy « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary
Wonder if that could means a modified version of the National Security Cutter, which was put forward to the RAN I believe via Ingalls

Oh and not sure of the 4000-5000 ton in blue is supposed to go to a link but my iPhone wants to use it as a number to ring.
 
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