NEWPORT, RI -- Outgoing Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark today praised the internal analysis that is shaping the development of the Navy's fiscal year 2007 budget.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
NEWPORT, RI -- Outgoing Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark today praised the internal analysis that is shaping the development of the Navy's fiscal year 2007 budget.
The Navy wants to take the unusual step of awarding two lead ships for the DD(X) destroyer program so that Northrop Grumman's Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi and General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine would each concurrently build a ship, Navy acquisition executive John Young told reporters today.
The list of recommended base closures issued by the Pentagon today includes the Portsmouth naval shipyard in Kittery, ME; the New London submarine base in Groton, CT; and naval stations in Pascagoula, MS, and Ingleside, TX.
Adm. Michael Mullen, President Bush's nominee to become the next chief of naval operations, said today he is a strong supporter of both the DD(X) destroyer and the Littoral Combat Ship, two key Navy shipbuilding programs. In remarks to reporters following his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, Mullen acknowledged cost challenges facing DD(X) and other shipbuilding problems, but offered no immediate solutions, noting the difficulty of the problem.
The Navy sent Congress an interim report this week that recommends maintaining a fleet of 260 to 325 ships, with 10 or 11 aircraft carriers, but the document does not detail the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan, which is still being worked out.
Senate authorizers and appropriators have introduced legislation that would allow the Pentagon to use advance appropriations for shipbuilding.
Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME), whose state is home to General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works shipyard, expressed concern today about reports this week that the Navy may change its acquisition strategy for the DD(X) destroyer program.
A senior Navy official today issued a certification declaring the V-22 Osprey program ready to begin an operational evaluation, which will determine whether the aircraft is suitable and effective for military use. But when that test period actually begins is up to another official, the head of the Osprey squadron in New River, NC.
The Navy is considering changing the acquisition strategy for the DD(X) destroyer program by making it a sole-source, winner-take-all contest for the production of the entire class, rather than dividing the work between two shipyards, Northrop Grumman's Ingalls and General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works, a Navy official said today.
Despite complaints voiced by some prominent lawmakers who want the decision reversed, the Navy stands behind its award of a next-generation presidential helicopter contract to an international team led by Lockheed Martin, according to Navy Secretary Gordon England.
Members of Congress from Connecticut vowed tonight to push legislation in the House and Senate aimed at overturning the Navy's decision to award the next-generation presidential helicopter contract to an international team led by Lockheed Martin, rather than Connecticut-based Sikorsky.
The Bush administration's $419.3 billion fiscal year 2006 defense budget request, which allots the Navy Department $125.6 billion, restructures Marine Corps ground forces to better fight terrorism, curtails shipbuilding programs and slashes the number of aircraft carriers from 12 to 11.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark confirmed today that he intends to retire "sometime this summer."
The Marine Corps' V-22 Osprey squadron, VMX-22, received a new Osprey late last week, which it began flying today in New River, NC. The squadron's other seven Ospreys remain on the ground until problems with their proprotor gearboxes can be fixed.
Sen. John Warner (R-VA), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said today he is supporting the Bush administration's fiscal year 2006 defense budget request, despite the administration's plans to curtail shipbuilding programs and shrink the size of the fleet from 12 to 11 carriers.
The Bush administration is eyeing Navy Secretary Gordon England to succeed James Roche as the new Air Force secretary, according to industry sources.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark is likely to step down as the Navy's top uniformed leader this summer, according to industry and naval sources.
With major shipbuilding budget cuts pending, the Navy is urging the nation's shipbuilders to reshape the shipbuilding industry, according to Vice Adm. Phillip Balisle.
Donald Winter, a former defense industry executive, was sworn in as Navy secretary this morning.
The Defense Department not only approved sharp shipbuilding cuts proposed by the Navy in the fiscal year 2006 budget process, but also further curtailed construction plans for DD(X) destroyers, Virginia-class submarines and San Antonio-class LPD-17 amphibious ships, according to Pentagon and naval sources.