Category: United States Navy

Source: United States Navy

Advanced manufacturing refers to innovative technologies which fabricate, repair, rework or reverse engineer parts or components. These include: Additive Manufacturing or 3D-printing, Subtractive Manufacturing, Cold Spray and Directed Energy deposition and coatings removal, Robotics and automation, Data Analytics, and Advanced Machining.

“The leveraging of these cutting-edge innovations will allow the Navy and Marine Corps to maintain dominance,” Guertin said. “The Department will continue to expand advanced manufacturing efforts in order to deliver lethal and affordable capabilities to the warfighter at the speed of relevance.”

The strategy contains three lines of effort to expand DoN’s capabilities. The first line of effort seeks to harness cutting-edge commercial capabilities for strategic advancement. The second and third lines of effort focuses on expanding organic capabilities, modernizing depots, and strengthening warfighter self-sufficiency, respectively. The DoN will work with industry and academia to use, invest and implement advanced manufacturing in the design and production process, and integrate these modern processes into the supply chain. “Forging strong partnerships with commercial manufacturers and collaboration with private-sector entities offers the Department access to cutting-edge technologies, innovation, and efficiency,” said Erica Plath, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Sustainment.

Additionally, the DoN has identified five primary cross-cutting enablers aimed at delivering advanced manufacturing at scale across all lines of effort: governance, manufacturing technology maturity, standards, digital architecture, and workforce development. “When properly resourced and applied, advanced manufacturing has the potential to provide a critical capability to the United States Marine Corps in garrison and to support forward-deployed units. Access to digital data rights is required to enable advanced manufacturing to provide the correct parts at the correct specifications to enhance materiel availability and support requirements at multiple points of need. If properly applied, advanced manufacturing increases the resiliency of the logistics network across the spectrum of day-to-day support and conflict,” said BGen Forrest Poole, Assistant Deputy Commandant Logistics Plans Policy and Strategic Mobility (LP) HQMC.

The Advanced Manufacturing Strategy implements one of the principal recommendations of the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology Board report on Opportunities for Additive Manufacturing (link) and signals the DoN’s commitment to advanced manufacturing.

Read the full text of the Department of the Navy Advanced Manufacturing Strategy HERE.

Source: United States Navy

Del Toro had a series of engagements including meetings with key leaders, service members and government civilians, visiting various facilities and ships, and holding an all-hands call in the base gym.

“Thank you to each and every one of you for what you have done to serve our Navy, our Marine Corps, our Department of Defense and our nation,” said Del Toro.  “You all had a choice to make when you were entering the work force and you chose to serve your country.”

During the all-hands call, Del Toro reflected on his time in service and praised the team. Additionally, he highlighted the CNO’s NAVPLAN, Navy retention and support, and encouraged Sailors and Marines to enjoy their time in service.

“I’m proud of our Sailors, Marines and Merchant Mariners who are serving aboard aircraft carriers, amphibious ships, cruisers, destroyers, combat logistics ships and watch floors in this critical region. You are American heroes!”

Before concluding the all-hands call, personnel were given the opportunity to ask questions about quality of life and quality of service opportunities.

Del Toro was sworn in as the 78th secretary of the Navy Aug. 9, 2021. In 1983, he joined the United States Navy as a surface warfare officer for 22 years before departing active duty to enter the private sector.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy recently achieved its final key milestone in the development of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) integrated capabilities by successfully completing a continuous 720-hour power demonstration on an engine system for use aboard future USVs. This demonstration is part of a larger USV testing effort to assess the capability and resilience of engine systems to operate autonomously for extended periods. The latest test marked the final system to be evaluated. Engine development and operation is critical for the expansion of unmanned naval operations and for realizing the future vision of a manned-unmanned Hybrid Fleet.

The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Navy to complete the 720-hour test milestone before initiating development on large USVs. In the final engine test, Precise Power Systems conducted testing on behalf of Austal USA. Testing took place at Daimler Trucks North America Aftermarket Solutions in Tooele, Utah, from June 19 to September 5. The Navy’s Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) and the Unmanned Maritime Systems program office (PMS 406) oversaw the demonstration.

“This milestone marks a pivotal advancement in our naval strategy, as it enhances our capabilities in unmanned operations,” said Rear. Adm. Kevin Smith, head of PEO USC. “Successfully demonstrating a power system that can sustain autonomous operations for 30 days without maintenance not only bolsters our readiness but also sets the stage for a truly integrated manned-unmanned Fleet, ensuring we remain at the forefront of maritime innovation.”

During the 720-hour test, no human intervention, corrective, or preventative maintenance was allowed on the equipment. Successfully completing this milestone means the tested model engine, MTU 8V4000M24S, is eligible for future use aboard USV platforms. It indicates that propulsion systems are mature enough to power an unmanned ship for 30 days without requiring maintenance. The team developing the engine will apply lessons learned during the test to enhance future models to increase reliability even more than demonstrated.

Prior to this test, five teams successfully completed their separate 720-hour testing milestones. The successful teams include:

• Bollinger and Carter Machinery on behalf of Caterpillar in Chesapeake, Virginia was the first team to achieve this milestone in December of 2023. They demonstrated sufficient mechanical reliability of the 1550 kw Caterpillar 3512C model engine.
• Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) and Carter Machinery on behalf of Caterpillar in Chesapeake, VA demonstrated mechanical durability of the Caterpillar 2300 kW rated 3516 main propulsion diesel, lube oil and fuel system.
• Gibbs & Cox and Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas on behalf of Cummins also validated the reliability of the QSK95 diesel engine paired with an ABB AMG 0560M04 LAE generator.
• Huntington Ingalls Incorporated (HII), in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, conducted a successful 720-hour demonstration on behalf of MTU of the MTU 20V 4000 M93L, a Main Propulsion Diesel Engine configuration.
• L3 Harris, on behalf of Cummins, validated the reliability of the QSK60 diesel engine, a Main Propulsion Diesel Engine configuration, and the QSM11, a Marine Diesel Generator Set in Camden, New Jersey.

“This milestone is a significant step forward in the continued development of integrated unmanned surface capabilities. The successful execution of these tests highlights our commitment to deliver cutting-edge solutions that can meet the evolving needs of our Fleet,” said Capt. Matthew Lewis, program manager of the Unmanned Maritime Systems program office.

The Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Systems program office is a part of the Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants portfolio, which designs, develops, builds, and delivers the Navy’s unmanned maritime systems; mine warfare systems; special warfare systems; expeditionary warfare systems; and small surface combatants.

Source: United States Navy

Panetta served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony honoring 248 graduates who earned a total of 250 degrees.

Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, president of NPS, officiated the ceremony and addressed the graduating class along with their families and friends, noting that NPS is interservice, interagency, and international.

Rondeau highlighted the importance of international partnerships and alliances in fostering global peace and prosperity. She notably recognized Cmdr. Bagus Jatmiko, the 104th Indonesian student and the first Ph.D. graduate from Indonesia. Officials from Chile, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, and Sweden were also in attendance. 
 
“Those partnerships, friendships and alliances really matter,” said Rondeau. “Our jobs as leaders on both sides is to grow those relationships with respect and dignity.”

She reminded graduates that building strong international partnerships remains a top priority for the Department of Defense before she handed the podium to the ceremony’s commencement speaker with a sea of applause. 

Panetta addressed the graduates, emphasizing the importance of their careers and their principal responsibility todefend the United States.

Before joining the Department of Defense, Mr. Panetta served as CIA Director from 2009 to 2011, overseeing human intelligence and open-source programs. He has spent much of his career in public service, including roles as Chief of Staff to former President Clinton, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and as a U.S. Congressman from 1977 to 1993, where he chaired the House Budget Committee. Notably, he and Admiral William McRaven led Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.

“The path we take will be determined by the quality of leadership we have,” said Panetta.

Panetta continued by stressing the importance of NPS and the role its graduates play in defending our nation.

“The Naval Postgraduate School, I can say without hesitation, is incredibly important to our national defense,” said Panetta. “The purpose is to equip you with advanced skills and technology and fundamental leadership qualities that are needed in order to protect our nation.” 

Panetta called attention to geopolitical tensions and stressed the importance of unity, the ability to communicate, and the importance of stability in our democracy. He summarized his remarks by reminding the graduates to assert their honed capabilities, bolster the nation’s security, and strengthen alliances at home and abroad.  

“I believe in American leadership,” remarked Panetta in his conclusion. “The strength of America is in the communities across this country. It’s in the resilience and spirit and courage of the American people. That’s our strength.” 

For more information on the Fall 2024 graduation visit: https://nps.edu/graduation

Source: United States Navy

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD – The U.S. Navy announced today that it has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation a $3.549B contract to conduct the mission-systems integration for the E-130J, which will be the successor to the E-6B Mercury for the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission.

Under the contract, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation of Melbourne, Florida, will serve as the prime contractor to integrate TACAMO mission systems, including the Collins Aerospace Very Low Frequency system, into government-furnished C-130J-30 air vehicles built by Lockheed Martin Corp. The contract is for three Engineering Development Models (EDMs) and options for up to three System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTAs) and up to six aircraft in the first lot of production. Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin are directed subcontractors to support the integration and airworthiness.

“Our TACAMO mission is foundational to our nation’s nuclear Triad,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “The E-130J will carry on the proud legacy of Navy TACAMO aircraft and keep our nation safe.”

The acquisition effort is being led by the Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) within the Program Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO (A)).

“Today is a tremendous day for the future of naval aviation’s contribution to our nation’s nuclear deterrence mission,” said Capt. Adam Scott, PMA-271 program manager. “With the selection of Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation as the prime contractor for the TACAMO Recapitalization Program, we are ready to move out with developing this critical asset. In carrying on the legacy of the E-6B Mercury, the E-130J will ensure our nation’s leadership is always connected to its nuclear forces for decades to come.”

Work developing this asset in conjunction with the prime contractor begins today.

The contract award is the result of a competitive source selection that included significant engagement with industry. PMA-271 released the request for proposals on sam.gov on Sept. 21, 2023, with proposals due by April 22, 2024.

The Navy selected the winner based on the proposal that offered the best value to the government, considering the offeror’s technical approach and cost.

The E-130J is a critical part of the United States’ nuclear modernization program, which includes new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, new bomber aircraft such as the B-21 Raider, and Sentinel, a new ground-based system to replace the silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The E-130J will ensure that leadership can always communicate with those nuclear forces to order or cancel strikes, even if ground-based communications are unavailable.

The E-6B is a communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft. It provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) for the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command. It is a dual-mission aircraft capable of fulfilling the no-fail TACAMO mission and the Looking Glass mission, which facilitates the launch of U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles using an airborne launch control system. The E-130J will relieve the E-6B of the TACAMO mission.

PMA-271 is headquartered at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Its mission is to deliver and support survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications for the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command.

Media contact: PMA-271 Public Affairs Officer Kathy Hieatt, kathy.m.hieatt.civ@us.navy.mil, 301-757-1053