The fire aboard the US Navy amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard in San Diego raises profound questions about the competence and capacity of the service and its leadership — with budget, strategy and deterrence implications.
The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) has been at sea one of every two days since returning to service in October, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly said Tuesday, continuing evidence that the ship is meeting or exceeding expectations.
Rep. Mike Gallagher, PhD, R-Wisc., member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, discusses the Trump administration’s 2021 Navy budget request, the gap between 355-ship rhetoric and reality, cutting frigates and retiring first four Littoral Combat Ships, and USN-USMC integration and the need to move quickly to rebuild the fleet with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition congressional breakfast on Capitol Hill on Feb. 11, 2020.
Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Calif., a member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, discusses the Trump Administration’s 2021 Navy budget request and balancing defense investment and social spending with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Amphibious Warship Industrial Coalition’s annual congressional breakfast on Capitol Hill on Feb. 11, 2020.
Rear Adm. Sam Perez, USN Ret., the president and CEO of the Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition, discusses the Trump Administration’s 2021 Navy Budget Request, the US Marine Corps new vision of distributed amphibious operations and integrating USN-USMC operations and planning with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the AWIBC’s annual congressional breakfast on Capitol Hill on Feb. 11, 2020.
Cdr. John Thompson, USN, the USS Gerald R Ford’s weapons officer or Gun Boss, discusses the new ship’s weapons handling capabilities compared with earlier carriers he’s served on during his three decade career. Col. James “Hondo” Geurts, USAF Ret., the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition invited a small group of reporters to travel aboard Ford on Jan. 27, 2020, as the ship conducted Aircraft Compatibility Testing off the Virginia coast.
Col. James “Hondo” Geurts, USAF Ret., the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, discusses getting the USS Gerald R Ford ready for duty and makes clear that the ship’s propulsion and electrical systems, electromagnetic catapults, novel arresting gear and new dual-band radar are working well as the service qualifies aircraft to operate from the new supercarrier with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Geurts hosted a handful of reporters aboard Ford on Jan. 27, 2020, as the she steamed off the Virginia coast for aircraft compatibility testing.
Paul Lemmo, the vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, discusses the company’s combat systems portfolio, heritage and future with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the Surface Navy Association’s 2020 national symposium. We are an SNA media partner and our coverage was sponsored by GE Marine and Leonardo DRS.
Capt. Steve Moorhouse, Royal Navy, the commanding officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, discusses the UK supercarrier’s training cycle in US waters to prepare for its first deployment, rebuild a carrier strike capability and improve high-end warfighting skills with reporters Nov. 20, 2019, during the Atlantic Future Forum held aboard the ship at anchor off the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. The ship ended its three-month deployment and returned to the UK on Nov. 21.
By Vice Adm. Richard Hunt, USN Ret.
The US Navy is at the beginning of designing and building its future surface combatant force. This is more than simply replacing old ships with new ones, more than just fielding platforms with upgraded sensors and weapons. It is an opportunity to introduce proven, industry-best practices to create a foundation for sailors to excel.
In designing the next surface combatant, the Navy must always keep warfighting first, but also consider total-ownership cost savings, maintainability, and human-factors engineering to ensure sustainable operational effectiveness and safety. Additionally, new ships must be ready to operate in today’s environment of cyber threats. Warfighting relevance will depend on the ability to fight through strong cyber attacks.