March 28, 2024

Navy Setting Stage for RIMPAC 2022

RIMPAC

The US Navy is preparing for Rim of the Pacific 2022, the world’s largest maritime exercise, which will take place from June 29 to August 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Twenty-six countries, 38 surface ships, four submarines, 170 aircraft, and approximately 25,000 personnel are expected to participate.

Newest Littoral Combat Ship Reports to Fleet

Littoral Combat Ship

The Billings, a Freedom-class littoral combat ship, was commissioned in a Saturday ceremony in Key West, FL. The warship is named after Montana’s largest city.

Defense Experts Continue to Call for BRAC

BRAC

In an open letter to House and Senate Armed Services committees defense experts write, “Congress should grant our military the authority to eliminate waste and ensure that vital defense resources flow to where they are most needed.”

Trump Promises to End Sequestration

Trump Expected to Call for End to Ongoing US Wars Overseas

Now President-elect Trump has to figure out how to make that happen.

Wallops Island Reopens: 14 Mos. After Disaster

Wallops

After the Antares explosion, “a monumental task getting it back together.”

Navy Unmanned Weapon Systems Gets Director

RADM Robert P. Girrier

Navy names RADM Robert P. Girrier its first director of unmanned weapon systems,

DoD Struggles to Keep Planes Flying Indefinitely

A-10

Congress’ reluctance to abandon the A-10 has military officials wondering how to keep planes flying indefinitely.

GAO Calls F-35 “Not Affordable”

Draft report says the F-35’s long-term costs may be substantially higher than those of the existing F/A-18, F-15, F-16 and Harrier combat aircraft fleets.

DoD Contract Awards Down Again

contracts

Pentagon contracts fell 29 percent in May from a year earlier, the fifth drop in the past six months, driven in part by automatic budget cuts.

Alternatives to the LCS Beginning to Arrive

The Navy taskforce seeking a future with or without the LCS is beginning to receive industry specs for alternatives.