3 acting chiefs, 3 black boxes: Army, Navy to join Marines without confirmed chief

3 acting chiefs, 3 black boxes: Army, Navy to join Marines without confirmed chief
3 acting chiefs, 3 black boxes: Army, Navy to join Marines without confirmed chief

With the Senate in recess, three of the military branches are guaranteed to have acting chiefs of staff. And due to a political impasse, it’s unclear when the situation will be resolved.

With UNITAS, Navy expands operational unmanned tech to 4th Fleet in SOUTHCOM

With UNITAS, Navy expands operational unmanned tech to 4th Fleet in SOUTHCOM
With UNITAS, Navy expands operational unmanned tech to 4th Fleet in SOUTHCOM

The exercise highlighting unmanned tech follows what the Navy sees as the success of the cutting edge Task Force 59 under 5th Fleet in the Middle East.

Navy’s Del Toro balks at lawmakers’ shipbuilding plan demand, will ‘meet’ amphib needs

Navy’s Del Toro balks at lawmakers’ shipbuilding plan demand, will ‘meet’ amphib needs
Navy’s Del Toro balks at lawmakers’ shipbuilding plan demand, will ‘meet’ amphib needs

While the Navy secretary insists he will meet the requirements under the law, Sen. Dan Sullivan says he’s prepping legislation to force the Navy’s hand.

Franchetti viewed as likely choice to lead Navy, would be first woman on Joint Chiefs

Franchetti viewed as likely choice to lead Navy, would be first woman on Joint Chiefs
Franchetti viewed as likely choice to lead Navy, would be first woman on Joint Chiefs

A career surface warfare officer, Franchetti is currently Vice Chief of Naval Operations and previously commanded the Naples, Italy-based US 6th Fleet.

Navy’s mine-hunting package gets green light, ready for use on LCS

Navy’s mine-hunting package gets green light, ready for use on LCS
Navy’s mine-hunting package gets green light, ready for use on LCS

The mine countermeasures mission packages replaces the Navy’s legacy Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships, among other platforms.

Fincantieri finishing $300M shipyard renovations, a big bet on the US Navy’s frigate plans

Fincantieri finishing $300M shipyard renovations, a big bet on the US Navy’s frigate plans
Fincantieri finishing $300M shipyard renovations, a big bet on the US Navy’s frigate plans

The company spent $300 million on four projects with the hopes of seeing two frigates being bought every year, which is faster than the Navy’s current projection.

Navy unveils shipbuilding plan: Virginias to replace subs sold to Aussies, but impacts of AUKUS unknown

Navy unveils shipbuilding plan: Virginias to replace subs sold to Aussies, but impacts of AUKUS unknown
Navy unveils shipbuilding plan: Virginias to replace subs sold to Aussies, but impacts of AUKUS unknown

It was not clear when President Joe Biden and his counterparts announced AUKUS’ details whether those subs would be replaced by new Virginia-class boats or SSN(X).

GD Electric Boat awards HII $567M contract for Columbia-class submarine work

GD Electric Boat awards HII $567M contract for Columbia-class submarine work
GD Electric Boat awards HII $567M contract for Columbia-class submarine work

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro recently said the service is slightly behind its “accelerated” schedule goals for the shipbuilding program.

Unmanned ships deploying to SOUTHCOM, as Navy seeks to prove technology ‘ready to scale’

Unmanned ships deploying to SOUTHCOM, as Navy seeks to prove technology ‘ready to scale’
Unmanned ships deploying to SOUTHCOM, as Navy seeks to prove technology ‘ready to scale’

Unmanned vessels will head to 4th Fleet this summer, with a mission to “deter the flow of drugs” into the US, according to a top Navy official.

Maritime Administration moving with ‘all best speed’ on sealift recap, no room for ‘lapses’

Maritime Administration moving with ‘all best speed’ on sealift recap, no room for ‘lapses’
Maritime Administration moving with ‘all best speed’ on sealift recap, no room for ‘lapses’

Any more “lapses” or “hesitation” could cause a backslide in the progress the government has already made, the MARAD chiefs said.

Navy awards HII $1.3B amphib contract while services, OSD publicly feud

Navy awards HII $1.3B amphib contract while services, OSD publicly feud
Navy awards HII $1.3B amphib contract while services, OSD publicly feud

LPD-32 was at the center of an unusual public dispute between two service chiefs during a Washington, DC event in March.

Both citing cost, leaders of Navy, Marines dig in on amphib ship fight

Both citing cost, leaders of Navy, Marines dig in on amphib ship fight
Both citing cost, leaders of Navy, Marines dig in on amphib ship fight

“I just mentioned we haven’t put the [third] ship on contract yet. The line is already running behind,” CNO Adm. Michael Gilday said.

Naval warfare poised to play smaller role in year 2 of Ukraine war

Naval warfare poised to play smaller role in year 2 of Ukraine war
Naval warfare poised to play smaller role in year 2 of Ukraine war

“You’ve seen the Russian effectiveness from the maritime has been declining. The very reason [is] that the Ukrainians have become better at targeting and using the weapons that we that we provided them,” said CNO Adm. Michael Gilday.

Boeing to stop making F/A-18 Super Hornets in 2025

Boeing to stop making F/A-18 Super Hornets in 2025
Boeing to stop making F/A-18 Super Hornets in 2025

The production line could be extended to 2027 if the Indian Navy chooses the fighter aircraft.