The US Navy (USN) could enlist private shipyards to help relieve a maintenance backlog for its attack submarines, which translates into a potential opportunity for Newport News Shipbuilding. Companies expected to bid on new contracts for overhaul work are General Dynamics Electric Boat, and the Newport News shipyard, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.
Boeing has delivered the eighth P-8A POSEIDON of 2014, completing all planned deliveries to the US Navy (USN) for the year on time and on cost. The last airplane flew from Seattle to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida on 8 January, where it joined other P-8As being used to train Navy crews. Based on the Boeing next-generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides the USN anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Navy is purchasing the multi-mission aircraft to replace its aging P-3 ORION fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As.
The US Navy (USN) is expected to settle on terms for a new performance-based logistics (PBL) contract with Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin joint venture Maritime Helicopter Support Company (MHSCo) for its Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopter fleet by the end of the month.Formed in 2001, MHSCo engages in providing repair, maintenance and overhaul services on the Navy’s H-60 series aircraft. The H-60 Performance-Based Logistics programme comprises of a compensation plan, whereby MHSCo’s compensation will be based on the total flight hours of the helicopter. This ensures MHSCo’s consistent endeavors to enhance the reliability of its fleet. This will not only reduce costs for the USN but also ascertain improved performance by the helicopters. In the first half of 2014, the team of Lockheed and Sikorsky received a $1.2 billion contract from the USN to construct the first six units of 21 presidential helicopters as a replacement of the ageing Marine One fleet. Marine One was initially built by Sikorsky. Contract work is expected to be over by Oct 2020 and the USN will purchase the helicopters by 2023 for about $3 billion.
The US Navy (USN) has placed a follow-on order with Orbit International's Power Group for the delivery of COTS power supplies. Power Group, through its Behlman Electronics' subsidiary, will supply COTS units for integration in the USN's anti-submarine and anti-ship surveillance and targeting system, as well as a wide-area surveillance radar system. Behlman will start deliveries of the systems later this year. To date, Behlman has supplied the model 00389 COTS switch mode power supply to the USN, which is aimed at meeting input power requirements of MIL-STD-704A and RTCA-DO160, in addition to MIL-Standards 901, 810C, 167 and 461 C / D. The Behlman 00389 COTS power supply has eight DC outputs for altering power and can operate from a three phase 115 / 200 VAC +/-20% at 360Hz to 440Hz. Behlman is expecting additional orders for power supply units until at least next year.
The US Naval Surface Warfare Center has awarded a contract to Engineering Services Network (ESN) to support its combat systems work. ESN is the prime contractor for the USN's combat systems operational sequencing system (CSOSS), which is deployed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) in the Port Hueneme, San Diego and Norfolk areas.
Under the agreement, the company will be responsible for the development, modification, validation and delivery of CSOSS for all shipboard sensors and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications, as well as weapon systems.
It also involves delivering analysis, technical and programmatic support, information coordination, product development and maintenance of CSOSS for all AEGIS and non-AEGIS ship classes, US Coast Guard WMSL and WPC cutters, in addition to related shore facilities. The three-year contract also comes with a base year and two one-year options.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed plans to procure 127mm lightweight (LW) guns from Italian firm OTO Melara. As part of the $243.5 million deal, according to news sources, OTO Melara will deliver 13 127mm guns, which will be integrated on indigenously designed and built SHIVALIK-class frigates and DELHI-class destroyers.
Comark, a leading provider of high performance, mission critical computer and display solutions, is exhibiting on booth # 213: Computer display systems that are currently used in naval programmes including DDG 51 Machinery Control Systems, AEGIS BMD, and CVN Control Systems. The focus in the Comark booth is on Smart Displays demonstrating the latest offerings from the Naval focused MissionVue product line. The MissionVue sealed fanless systems utilise the latest in low power quad core processor technology, according to the company. Comark products are also featured in other booths throughout the exhibit hall.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) approved the USN's plan to build a new Small Surface Combatant Ship (SSC), which is based on modified Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) on 11 December 2014. The approval came in as a result of persistent criticism about the cost and viability of the $34 billion LCS programme, including design and construction problems and budget overruns. Earlier in 2014, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel cut the planned littoral ship buy from 52 to 32, and ordered a review of the programme. He said the USN will still buy a total of 52 ships, but it will be a mix of LCS and the new smaller surface vessels. The final numbers have not been determined. "The USN must direct its future shipbuilding resources toward more multi-mission platforms that can operate in every region and across the full spectrum of conflict according to present fiscal climate and an increasingly volatile security environment," concluded Hagel after rigorous review and analysis.
The USN could significantly increase the number of sonobuoys it plans to deploy off the Pacific Coast. The floating, acoustic surveillance devices are used in anti-submarine warfare. "The Oregonian" reports that in a modified environmental assessment for Northwest training and testing, the USN increased the number of planned sonobuoys from 20 to 720. They would be in areas at least 12 miles offshore from Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Northern California. The USN acknowledges that deploying more of them is likely to harm endangered leatherneck turtles.
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Boeing has delivered the eighth P-8A POSEIDON of 2014, completing all planned deliveries to the US Navy (USN) for the year on time and on cost. The last airplane flew from Seattle to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida on 8 January, where it joined other P-8As being used to train Navy crews. Based on the Boeing next-generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides the USN anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Navy is purchasing the multi-mission aircraft to replace its aging P-3 ORION fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As.
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The US Navy (USN) is expected to settle on terms for a new performance-based logistics (PBL) contract with Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin joint venture Maritime Helicopter Support Company (MHSCo) for its Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopter fleet by the end of the month.Formed in 2001, MHSCo engages in providing repair, maintenance and overhaul services on the Navy’s H-60 series aircraft. The H-60 Performance-Based Logistics programme comprises of a compensation plan, whereby MHSCo’s compensation will be based on the total flight hours of the helicopter. This ensures MHSCo’s consistent endeavors to enhance the reliability of its fleet. This will not only reduce costs for the USN but also ascertain improved performance by the helicopters. In the first half of 2014, the team of Lockheed and Sikorsky received a $1.2 billion contract from the USN to construct the first six units of 21 presidential helicopters as a replacement of the ageing Marine One fleet. Marine One was initially built by Sikorsky. Contract work is expected to be over by Oct 2020 and the USN will purchase the helicopters by 2023 for about $3 billion.
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The US Navy (USN) has placed a follow-on order with Orbit International's Power Group for the delivery of COTS power supplies. Power Group, through its Behlman Electronics' subsidiary, will supply COTS units for integration in the USN's anti-submarine and anti-ship surveillance and targeting system, as well as a wide-area surveillance radar system. Behlman will start deliveries of the systems later this year. To date, Behlman has supplied the model 00389 COTS switch mode power supply to the USN, which is aimed at meeting input power requirements of MIL-STD-704A and RTCA-DO160, in addition to MIL-Standards 901, 810C, 167 and 461 C / D. The Behlman 00389 COTS power supply has eight DC outputs for altering power and can operate from a three phase 115 / 200 VAC +/-20% at 360Hz to 440Hz. Behlman is expecting additional orders for power supply units until at least next year.
***
The US Naval Surface Warfare Center has awarded a contract to Engineering Services Network (ESN) to support its combat systems work. ESN is the prime contractor for the USN's combat systems operational sequencing system (CSOSS), which is deployed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) in the Port Hueneme, San Diego and Norfolk areas.
Under the agreement, the company will be responsible for the development, modification, validation and delivery of CSOSS for all shipboard sensors and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications, as well as weapon systems.
It also involves delivering analysis, technical and programmatic support, information coordination, product development and maintenance of CSOSS for all AEGIS and non-AEGIS ship classes, US Coast Guard WMSL and WPC cutters, in addition to related shore facilities. The three-year contract also comes with a base year and two one-year options.
***
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed plans to procure 127mm lightweight (LW) guns from Italian firm OTO Melara. As part of the $243.5 million deal, according to news sources, OTO Melara will deliver 13 127mm guns, which will be integrated on indigenously designed and built SHIVALIK-class frigates and DELHI-class destroyers.
***
Comark, a leading provider of high performance, mission critical computer and display solutions, is exhibiting on booth # 213: Computer display systems that are currently used in naval programmes including DDG 51 Machinery Control Systems, AEGIS BMD, and CVN Control Systems. The focus in the Comark booth is on Smart Displays demonstrating the latest offerings from the Naval focused MissionVue product line. The MissionVue sealed fanless systems utilise the latest in low power quad core processor technology, according to the company. Comark products are also featured in other booths throughout the exhibit hall.
***
The US Department of Defense (DoD) approved the USN's plan to build a new Small Surface Combatant Ship (SSC), which is based on modified Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) on 11 December 2014. The approval came in as a result of persistent criticism about the cost and viability of the $34 billion LCS programme, including design and construction problems and budget overruns. Earlier in 2014, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel cut the planned littoral ship buy from 52 to 32, and ordered a review of the programme. He said the USN will still buy a total of 52 ships, but it will be a mix of LCS and the new smaller surface vessels. The final numbers have not been determined. "The USN must direct its future shipbuilding resources toward more multi-mission platforms that can operate in every region and across the full spectrum of conflict according to present fiscal climate and an increasingly volatile security environment," concluded Hagel after rigorous review and analysis.
***
The USN could significantly increase the number of sonobuoys it plans to deploy off the Pacific Coast. The floating, acoustic surveillance devices are used in anti-submarine warfare. "The Oregonian" reports that in a modified environmental assessment for Northwest training and testing, the USN increased the number of planned sonobuoys from 20 to 720. They would be in areas at least 12 miles offshore from Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Northern California. The USN acknowledges that deploying more of them is likely to harm endangered leatherneck turtles.
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