War Developing and Upcoming Military Technology - Something new at least 3 times a week.

So, Yesterday was an exciting day for our floating friends.

So, let's jump right into the news then:
Expeditionary Fast Transport Undergoes First Fast-Tracked Integrated Sea Trials

Expeditionary Fast Transport Undergoes First Fast-Tracked Integrated Sea Trials - USNI News

In a move designed to hasten the speed expeditionary fast transports join the fleet, Austal USA completed integrated builder’s and acceptance trials at sea for the future USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF-11).

news.usni.org

In a move designed to hasten the speed of Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transports (EPFs) joining the fleet, the shipbuilder completed a first-ever integrated builder’s and acceptance trials at sea for the future USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF-11).



Conducting integrated trials enabled builder Austal USA to demonstrate to the Navy Puerto Rico’s operational capability and mission readiness of all ship systems during a single two-day underway, according to the Navy.

Puerto Rico is one of the last EPFs being built by Austal. The future USNS Newport (T-EPF-12) is under construction at the Austal USA yard in Mobile, Ala. Two more, the future USNS Apalachicola (T-EPF-13) and the yet-unnamed EPF-14, are on contract with the yard. Total orders for the class are worth more than $2 billion, according to the company’s financial statements.

Navy officials have previously stated that their shift to a Distributed Maritime Operations concept relies on having more smaller ships, such as the EPF, which can fulfill several missions.

EPFs such as Puerto Rico will have a crew of 26 civilian mariners. With airline-style seating, an EPF can carry 312 troops for intratheater lift.

“The EPF program continues to be an example of stable and successful serial ship production,” Capt. Scot Searles, the Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager within the Program Executive Office for Ships, said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing EPF-11 deliver in the fall and expand the operational flexibility available to our combatant commanders.”

Though the EPF line as it stands today may be coming to an end, the company has made a pitch for the Navy to consider using the hull as an ambulance ship. The Navy included in its Fiscal Year 2020 unfunded priorities list a request for $49 million to convert the last ship on contract, EPF-14, into an Expeditionary Medical Transport through an engineering change proposal to the contract with Austal.

USNI are good guys, do good work.

Further reading related to headline:

Fast transit ship USNS Puerto Rico completes sea trials

The U.S. Navy's Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Puerto Rico finished its first integrated sea trials after two days in the Gulf of Mexico.

www.upi.com

Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Puerto Rico finished its first integrated sea trials after two days in the Gulf of Mexico.

The ship, designated EPF 11, completed its trials on August 22, and then returned to the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., where it was built, the Naval Sea Systems Command announced on Friday.

Integrated trials combine builder's and acceptance trials, allowing a demonstration of the ship's operational capability and mission readiness to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey.

"The EPF program continues to be an example of stable and successful serial ship production," Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office Ships, said in a press release. "I look forward to seeing EPF 11 deliver in the fall and expand the operational flexibility available to our combatant commanders."

The USNS Puerto Rico is a non-combatant vessel designed to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways.

The Spearhead-class of EPF ships specializes in versatility, with operational flexibility for a wide range of activities including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support, and rapid transport. The ships are capable of carrying vehicles including a fully combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank.

The Puerto Rico is the 11th Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport and after its commissioning will be operated by the Military Sealift Command.

U.S. Navy newest expeditionary fast transport ship completed acceptance trials

Austal shipyard has announced that the U.S. Navy newest Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF ) ship, the future USNS Puerto Rico

defence-blog.com

Austal shipyard has announced that the U.S. Navy newest Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF ) ship, the future USNS Puerto Rico (EPF11), has successfully completed acceptance trials.

The shipyard reported that acceptance trials, conducted in the Gulf of Mexico, were unique in that they integrated formal Builder’s Trials with Acceptance Trials for the first time on an EPF vessel.

“By combining the two at-sea trials into one event, there are great efficiencies gained, enabling reduced costs and a shorter completion schedule,” according to Austal.


Austal CEO David Singleton congratulated Austal USA for achieving this critical program milestone.

“The future USNS Puerto Rico successfully completed and passed all tests – a clean sweep – and returned from sea earlier than scheduled, a testament to the effort and expertise of Austal USA’s professional shipbuilding team and the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV),” he said.

“These trials involved the execution of intense, comprehensive testing by the Austal-led industry team while underway, which demonstrated to the U.S. Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. Sea trials are the last milestone before delivery of the ship. The future USNS Puerto Rico is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy before the end of the year and is the eleventh Spearhead Class ship in Austal’s 14-ship EPF portfolio.

“The flexibility and versatility of the EPF is becoming increasingly evident. From serving as a mother ship to test unmanned aerial and undersea systems in the Atlantic to performing as command ships in Pacific Partnership 2019 (an exercise that includes more than 500 military and civilian personnel from more than 10 nations), the EPF fleet is proving to be a great asset to the future 355-ship US Navy,” Mr Singleton said.

Austal’s EPF program is mature with ten ships delivered and three more under construction in Mobile, Alabama, in addition to the future USS Puerto Rico. The Spearhead-class EPF is currently providing high-speed, high-payload transport capability to fleet and combatant commanders.

The EPF’s large, open mission deck and large habitability spaces provide the opportunity to conduct a wide range of missions from engagement and humanitarian assistance or disaster relief missions, to the possibility of supporting a range of future missions including special operations support, command and control, and medical support operations. With its ability to access austere and degraded ports with minimal external assistance, the EPF provides unique options to fleet and combatant commanders.

According to the Navy, the ships are capable of operating in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities and on/off-loading a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank (M1A2). The EPF includes a flight deck for helicopter operations and an off-load ramp that allow vehicles to quickly drive off the ship. The ramp is suitable for the types of austere piers and quay walls common in developing countries. The ship’s shallow draft (under 15 feet) will further enhance littoral operations and port access. This makes the EPF an extremely flexible asset for support of a wide range of operations including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support or as the key enabler for rapid transport.

In addition to the EPF program, Austal has also received contracts for 19 Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy. Ten LCS have been delivered, five ships are in various stages of construction and four are yet to start construction.

Further reading about the Spearhead-Class:

Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Spearhead Class Expeditionary Fast Transport Vessels - Naval Technology

Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships, previously known as Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV), are being built by Austal USA as...Read More...

www.naval-technology.com

U.S. Navy awards General Dynamics with $1.6 billion contract for newest expeditionary ships

U.S. Navy awards General Dynamics with $1.6 billion contract for newest expeditionary ships

General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a contract from the U.S. U.S. Navy for newest expeditionary ships as part of Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program. The cont…

defence-blog.com

General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a contract from the U.S. U.S. Navy for newest expeditionary ships as part of Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program.

The contract, announced by the Department of Defense, is worth more than $1.6 billion and covers the construction of the sixth and seventh ships of the ESB program, as well as an option for ESB 8.

“We are pleased to be building ESB 6 and 7 for our Navy,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “ESBs have proven to be affordable and flexible, and as the fleet has gained experience with the platform, we have worked with the Navy and Marines to develop even more capabilities and mission sets.”

According to General Dynamics, named after famous names or places of historical significance to U.S. Marines, ESBs serve as a flexible platform and a key element in the Navy’s airborne mine countermeasures mission, with accommodations for up to 250 personnel and a large helicopter flight deck. The ship’s configuration supports special warfare and Marine Corps task-organized units.

Work on the two new ships of the ESB program is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2020 and continue to the second quarter of 2023, providing the opportunity to sustain and grow the workforce along San Diego’s working waterfront. NASSCO’s unique location along the historic San Diego Bay provides shipbuilders and skilled tradespeople with unparalleled access to the nation’s leading maritime support businesses, and highly-trained employees allow NASSCO to build and repair some of the world’s greatest ships in the most efficient manner possible.

In 2011, the Navy awarded NASSCO with a contract to design and build the first two ships in the newly created MLP program, the USNS Montford Point and USNS John Glenn. The program expanded with three more vessels, the USS Lewis B. Puller, USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams and the Miguel Keith, configured as ESBs. Following the delivery of the first four ships to the U.S. Navy, the fifth ship, the Miguel Keith, is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Further reading related to headline:

GenDyn to build two Expeditionary Sea Base ships under $1B contract

General Dynamics will build two Expeditionary Sea Base ships for the U.S. Navy under a $1 billion contract, with an option for a third that would increase the value of the contract to more than $1.6 billion.

www.upi.com

GenDyn to build two Expeditionary Sea Base ships under $1B contract

Aug. 26 (UPI) -- General Dynamics will build two ships for the U.S. Navy under a $1.08 billion contract announced by the Defense Department.

The company's National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. subsidiary, headquartered in San Diego, will build the sixth and seventh ships in the Navy's Expeditionary Sea Base program, the Pentagon announced on Friday. The deal includes an option to build an eighth ship, which would push the contract's value to $1.63 billion.

The vessels are regarded as seagoing platforms used across a broad range of military operations supporting multiple operational phases.

"ESBs have proven to be affordable and flexible," Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics NASSCO, said in a press release. "As the fleet has gained experience with the platform, we have worked with the Navy and Marines to develop even more capabilities and mission sets."

Acting as a mobile sea base, the ships, originally called Mobile Landing Platform Afloat Forward Staging Bases, are part of the critical access infrastructure to support deployment of forces and supplies. Their design is modeled after Alaska-class crude oil carriers, another General Dynamics NASSCO product.

The first two ships in the program were started in 2011. The USNS Montford Point was launched in 2012, and the USNS John Glenn was launched in 2013.

The contract announced on Friday is a fixed-price-incentive modification to a prior contract. Most of the work will be performed in San Diego, with January 2025 targeted as the completion date.

Further reading on the Expeditionary Sea Base ships:

https://navsource.org/archives/09/88/pdf/8803a.pdf

Expeditionary Sea Base | Modern weapons

This website is devoted to modern military technologies. There are articles and news on the following topics: Air Force, Navy, Ground Forces

www.dmitryshulgin.com

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball returns to homeport after final sea trials

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball returns to homeport after final sea trials

Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) returns to its homeport in Honolulu after conducting final sea trials near Hawaii Aug. 20, 2019. According to U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, Kimball, the seventh

defence-blog.com

Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) returns to its homeport in Honolulu after conducting final sea trials near Hawaii Aug. 20, 2019.

According to U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, Kimball, the seventh National Security Cutter built for the Coast Guard, is scheduled for a unique dual-commissioning ceremony with Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757), the eighth NSC, at both cutters’ new homeport in Honolulu Aug. 24, 2019.

Known as the Legend-class, national security cutters are capable of executing the most challenging national security missions, including support to U.S. combatant commanders. They are 418 feet in length, 54 feet in beam and 4,600 long tons in displacement.

They have a top speed of more than 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, an endurance of up to 90 days and can hold a crew of up to 150. These new cutters are replacing the high endurance Hamilton-class cutters (378 feet) that have been in service since the 1960s.

While national security cutters possess advanced capabilities, over 70 percent of the Coast Guard’s offshore presence exists in the service’s aging fleet of medium endurance cutters. Many of these ships are over 50-years-old and approaching the end of their service life. Replacing the fleet with new offshore patrol cutters is one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s top priorities.

The Kimball’s namesake, Sumner Kimball, served as superintendent of the Revenue Marine, establishing a training school that would later become the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Kimball then was general superintendent of the Life-Saving Service (LSS) from 1878 until the LSS merged with the Revenue Marine to become the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915. The ship’s motto is Lead, Train, and Save.

It is a nice little ship.

Speaking of which:
U.S. Coast Guard commissions two newest national security cutters

The United States Coast Guard commissioned two newest Legend-class national security cutters, during a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii, Aug. 24.

According to a statement released by U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii Pacific, the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) and the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) were ‘brought to life’ during the rare dual-commissioning ceremony at Base Honolulu where the two cutters homeport. The Kimball and Midgett are the seventh and eighth legend-class national security cutters in the Coast Guard’s fleet.

“These national security cutters will continue our 150 years of partnership and commitment to the Pacific region – since September 1849, when Revenue Cutter Lawrence sailed into Honolulu Harbor escorted by Native Hawaiians in outrigger canoes,” said Schultz. “In today’s complex geostrategic environment with rising great power competition, the importance and demand for a strong Coast Guard presence in the Pacific has never been greater.”

The Kimball and Midgett, along with the three fast response cutters also homeported in Honolulu, will further advance the Coast Guard’s longstanding commitment to safeguard the nation’s maritime safety, security, and economic interests through critical deployments across the Indo-Pacific region.

Advanced command-and-control capabilities and an unmatched combination of range, speed and ability to operate in extreme weather enable these ships to confront national security threats, strengthen maritime governance, support economic prosperity, and promote individual sovereignty.

From the Bering Sea and the Arctic to patrolling known drug trafficking zones off Central and South America to working to strengthen the capabilities of our partners across the Indo-Pacific, national security cutters deploy globally to conduct essential Coast Guard missions.

Known as the Legend-class, national security cutters are capable of executing the most challenging national security missions, including support to U.S. combatant commanders. They are 418 feet in length, 54 feet in beam and 4,600 long tons in displacement. They have a top speed of more than 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, an endurance of up to 90 days and can hold a crew of up to 150. These new cutters are replacing the high endurance Hamilton-class cutters (378 feet) that have been in service since the 1960s.

The Midgett’s transit to Hawaii was punctuated by two interdictions of suspected low-profile go-fast vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the first July 25 and a second July 31. The boardings resulted in a combined seizure of over 6,700 pounds of cocaine, estimated to be worth over $89 million.

National security cutters are responsible for 40 percent of the 460,000 pounds of cocaine interdicted by the Coast Guard in the fiscal year 2018. National security cutter crews have interdicted more than 92,000 pounds of cocaine to date in the fiscal year 2019.

Midgett is named to honor all members of the Midgett family who served in the Coast Guard and its predecessor services. At least ten members of the family earned high honors for their heroic life-saving efforts. Among them, the Coast Guard awarded various family members seven gold lifesaving medals, the service’s highest award for saving a life, and three silver lifesaving medals.

The Kimball is the third ship to bear that name, in honor of Sumner Kimball, who served as superintendent of the Revenue Marine and as general superintendent of the Life-Saving Service from 1878 until the two organizations merged in 1915 to become the modern-day U.S. Coast Guard.

“As you take to the seas, you will write the next chapters of the Kimball and Midgett legacies,” said Schultz, addressing the commands and crews of the two cutters. “I charge you with carrying out the operations of these ships in such a manner as to be worthy of the traditions of self-sacrifice, inspirational leadership, and unwavering dedication to duty – traits exemplified by these cutters’ distinguished and storied namesakes.”

Further reading on the Legend-Class:

Legend-class cutter - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Legend (class) Coast Guard Cutter / Patrol Vessel - United States

This page details the development and operational history of the Legend (class) Coast Guard Cutter / Patrol Vessel including technical specifications and pictures.

www.militaryfactory.com

Low-rate initial production begins for Raytheon Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles
New guidance system has dual mode active and semi-active radar

Raytheon News Release Archive

Operates four businesses. Technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world.

raytheon.mediaroom.com

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $190 million low-rate initial production contract for ESSM Block 2 missiles featuring a new guidance system with a dual mode active and semi-active radar.

This award follows the Navy's decision to shift from development to production on the enhanced intermediate-range, surface-to-air missile, placing the Block 2 variant on track for initial operating capability in 2020.

The ESSM missile is the primary ship self-defense missile aboard Navy aircraft carriers and large deck amphibious assault ships. It is an integral component of the Navy's layered area and ship self-defense capability for cruisers and destroyers.

"ESSM plays a critical role in protecting navy sailors worldwide and our international partners share our commitment to evolve this missile," said Dr. Mitch Stevison, Raytheon Strategic and Naval Systems vice president.

ESSM is the foundation of several allied navies' anti-ship missile defense efforts and is operational on almost 200 naval platforms worldwide.

The ESSM program is a cooperative effort managed by a NATO-led consortium comprising 12 nations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United States.

Further reading on Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block 2:

RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile ESSM

rim-162 evolved sea sparrow missile essm sam

seaforces.org

Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) | Missile Threat

The RIM-162 Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) is a short-range air defense interceptor designed to defend naval vessels against antiship cruise missiles. ESSM is the latest missile developed with international cooperation...

missilethreat.csis.org

TL;DR: Sea Sparrow has its own radar illuminator now.

US Naval News Roundout:
Pentagon’s Investor-Industry Matchmaking Program Will Focus on Small UAS in First Event

Pentagon's Investor-Industry Matchmaking Program Will Focus on Small UAS in First Event - USNI News

A Pentagon effort to connect sources of capital with small companies that need investment will begin with makers of small unmanned aerial systems.

news.usni.org

THE PENTAGON – The Defense Department’s effort to connect sources of capital with small companies that need investment will begin with a focus on those that design and manufacture small unmanned aerial systems, the Pentagon’s acquisition chief told reporters today.

The Trusted Capital Marketplace, which USNI News first reported on in April, will begin with a first meeting of investors and tech companies in October, Ellen Lord said today in a briefing at the Pentagon.

That meeting will target the small UAS industry sector due to concerns that China currently dominates the market, she said.

“It’s because of where we are right now in terms of having our entire U.S. marketplace eroded, and also because it’s very intuitive – people can understand what these small quadcopters are,” she said when asked why the Trusted Capital Marketplace would kick off with a focus on small UAS.
“So essentially we don’t have much of a small UAS industrial base because (Chinese company) DJI dumped so many low-priced quadcopters on the market and we then became dependent on them, both from the defense point of view and the commercial point of view. And we know that a lot of the information is sent back to China from those, so it is not something that we could use.”

By bringing investors to meet with companies interested in designing and building small fixed-wing or quadcopter UAS in the United States, the American industrial base could regain that capability and, once Defense Department needs are satisfied, potentially compete American drones against Chinese ones on the commercial market.

Since announcing the public-private partnership earlier this year, Lord said a team has stood up to begin managing the vetting requirements for the trusted sources of capital – ensuring that money funding sensitive defense capabilities doesn’t come with ties to China, Russia or other potential adversaries – as well as beginning industry outreach and the industry/capital matching process.

Lord previously thought that DoD might be able to set up a matchmaking website of sorts, where citizens or companies interested in spending money to help shore up gaps in defense capability or capacity could be paired with tech companies working on critical defense needs for which there may not be much potential for profit in the commercial world or who otherwise need a cash infusion to continue working in the defense sector.

Instead, Lord said today, an initial model pointed to a “complicated and expensive website” and caused her team to change plans, instead opting for a series of events around the country instead of working through a website.

Lord said her office already has a list of other topics for tech investment focus areas, and after the October event on small UAS she hoped to have another event with a different focus area in January and then again every few months afterwards.

“The idea is, we do not promise business to any of the businesses that would be there [at these events], but these are areas where we definitely have a strong demand signal,” she said.
“What we’re working on right now is, how we as DoD can invest a little bit in many of these companies as well, so they could be branded as having DoD contracts? We think that would be helpful,” she added.

Additionally, Lord said during her media briefing that the Office of the Secretary of Defense was standing up an “Intellectual Property Cadre” to look at both how to manage intellectual property and data rights between the government and industry and also how to protect IP from China and others who may steal that data. That organization should be formally stood up by October.

“They will develop DoD policy within the whole-of-government effort to address concerns on data rights,” she said.
“[Defense Secretary Mark] Esper, [Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo and the president have all spoken about the impact Chinese intellectual property theft is having on our national security, American commerce and our defense industry. Again, we need to go on the offense to protect our technology versus merely acting defensively.”

Despite the urgency of the Chinese theft issue, she said the organization would primarily focus on IP and data rights between the government and the contractors it works with. That continues to be a challenge, as the military services want to own data rights so they can re-compete a program later on, build their own spare parts through additive manufacturing, and so on, while companies want to keep those rights to ensure they make money throughout the life of a program.

“My experience says that typically we have problems with intellectual property when we don’t clearly define what is owned by industry and what will be owned by government at the outset of a program. So a lot of this really has to do with good program planning,” Lord said, adding that the group will leverage work the Army has already done on the topic and seek to establish policy that everyone can live with going forward.

Lord noted that the establishment of an intellectual property cadre was mandated by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act and that her office has been in close contact with Capitol Hill as the group nears being stood up.

Six Major Navy Commands Now Using Cloud-Based System for Financial and Supply Management

Six Major Navy Commands Now Using Cloud-Based System for Financial and Supply Management - USNI News

Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), the service’s financial and supply chain management system, is now a cloud computing system.

news.usni.org

THE PENTAGON – Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), the service’s financial and supply chain management system, has migrated to a cloud computing system following a 10-month program replacing a server-based system.

The Navy ERP migration to cloud computing is part of a larger three-year, $100-million effort to upgrade Navy computing systems, James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, said during a media briefing last week. The cloud-based Navy ERP gives some 72,000 Navy users better access to data, such as the availability of parts, the status of supplies and the ability to quickly run reports.

“My experience has been, anytime you can increase transparency and ability for users – wherever they are in the system – to get as close to real-time actual data, then that adds efficiencies across the board,” Geurts said.

Since Navy ERP is in the cloud, Geurts said future expansions, upgrades and connections to other Department of Defense systems should be relatively simple to accomplish.

“Now that it’s on a cloud-based system, it gives us tremendous flexibility technically and from a business standpoint for the future – both being important – so we weren’t locked into a particular IT infrastructure or business arrangement,” Geurts said.

The Navy ERP is a Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) high-performance analytic appliance (HANA) cloud-based platform, managed by the Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems’ (PEO EIS) Navy Enterprise Business Solutions program management office. The Navy’s legacy system was a SAP server-based Oracle platform.

Moving to the cloud is an essential step for the Navy to take because it allows the sea service to simplify and modernize its financial reporting process, Thomas Harker, the assistant secretary of the Navy for financial management and comptroller, said during the Friday briefing. Cloud computing helps the commands update data quicker and run reports more frequently.

“For example, there is one we only run on Sundays because the system is not being used, and it would take five or six hours to do; and they can now do that in about 30 minutes, and they’re doing it daily now. So it’s one where that increased accuracy has helped us with operations,” Harker said.

The goal is for all Navy financial systems to consolidate into a single general ledger within the next couple of years. Doing so is essential to producing accurate financial information, obtaining a clean audit opinion and improving the service’s analytics capability.

Six major Navy commands are now using Navy ERP. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR, formerly SPAWAR) are all using Navy ERP.

“The magnitude of this accomplishment is incredible,” Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer said in a statement. “The Navy ERP tech refresh is our largest system cloud migration to date and will enhance the performance of our force.”

Geurts said his team initially planned for a 20-month process to build the system and migrate the six major commands. The work was accomplished in 10 months.

“I am proud of the team efforts to accomplish this on an accelerated schedule, cutting the projected timeline nearly in half,” Spencer’s statement said. “The team managed this through innovative approaches to problem solving and close collaboration with integration teams, network engineers and industry partners.”

Putting the ERP in the cloud also adds a layer of protection to the data, Geurts said. The Navy now has only one cloud-based depository of data to protect instead of a myriad of computing hardware.

“I think it is a widely accepted practice, if you can move from many different disparate systems that you’ve got to independently always be checking and protecting and dealing with vulnerabilities and get that into a more coherent single system that reduces the attack surface and allows you to much more efficiently ensure that you’re always keeping that infrastructure safe,” Geurts said.

The process of setting up Navy ERP could prove to be an essential pathway to use in the future as the Navy considers moving other systems to the cloud, Geurts said. For example, the Navy could follow a similar acquisition strategy with the use of small businesses and a similar process used to migrate the data to the cloud. Advanced Solutions Inc., a small-tech firm, is the prime contractor for the Navy ERP migration.

“You’ve heard me talk last year about how we see small businesses having big impacts on the Navy; this is a great example of that,” Geurts said. “Last year we did over $15 billion to small businesses as primes, and this is a great example of a small business as a prime.”

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 26, 2019

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 26, 2019

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Aug. 26, 2019, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the...

news.usni.org

**Warning Format cancer.**

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Aug. 26, 2019, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:
290
Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway	Non-deployed Ships Underway	Total Ships Underway
46	33	79

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces	3rd Fleet	4th Fleet	5th Fleet	6th Fleet	7th Fleet	Total
3	1	2	23	15	56	100

In Yokosuka, Japan

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Reginald Hobson, from San Antonio, signals the landing of a CV-22 Osprey from the Air Force’s 21st Special Operations Squadron on the flight deck aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during low-light flight operations on Aug. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has returned to its homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, after its summer patrol.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Capt. Pat Hannifin, the commanding officer of the forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), holds an all-hands call in the hangar bay on Aug. 23, 2019. US Navy Photo
Aircraft carrier
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan

Carrier Air Wing 5

Aviation Ordnancemen transfer missiles onto a F/A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during flight operations Aug. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo
CVW 5, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Tiger Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
• The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
• The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan

U.S. 7th Fleet has not named all the escorts for the Reagan CSG, but it includes Japan-based guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) and USS Antietam (CG-54).

In the Sea of Japan

USS Wasp (LHD-1) transits the Coral Sea on Aug. 1, 2019. US Navy Photo
The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group is underway between Korea and Japan.

In the Gulf of Aqaba

An MH-60S Knight Hawk Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 sits on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) as the ship transits the Red Sea on Aug. 20, 2019. US Navy Photo
The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5) is the ARG commander. In addition to the Wasp-class USS Boxer (LHD-4), the ARG also includes Whidbey Island-class USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD-49) and San Antonio-class USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26).

The ARG includes the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 5, and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.

The Camp Pendleton-based 11th MEU comprises Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Attack Squadron 214 equipped with AV-8B Harriers; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

In the North Arabian Sea

Cmdr. Shannon Walker, the supply officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), observes an MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter attached to the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 transports cargo from the Abraham Lincoln to the fast combat support ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14) during a replenishment-at-sea on Aug. 23, 2019. US Navy Photo
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway in the North Arabian Sea. Tensions remain high in the area in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) 3rd Class Cameron Neeley helps sort mail by department in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during a replenishment-at-sea on Aug. 23, 2019. US Navy Photo
Aircraft carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va. (shifting to San Diego, Calif., upon completion of deployment)

Carrier Air Wing 7

An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the ‘Pukin’ Dogs’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Aug. 21, 2019. US Navy Photo
CVW 7, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Lincoln and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Night Dippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Griffins” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 2

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Danny Alano, assigned to the ‘Grandmasters’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, inserts a hose into an airbrush to paint aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) on Aug. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo
The leadership of DESRON 2 is embarked aboard Lincoln and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

• USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• USS Nitze (DDG-94), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104), Ferrol Naval Base, Spain

Guided-missile Cruiser

• USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Western Atlantic

Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5), direct a Landing Craft, Air Cushion into to the ship’s well deck on Aug. 24, 2019. US Navy Photo
The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and 26th MEU are conducting an ARG/MEU exercise near Camp Lejeune, N.C. The ARGMEUEX provides essential and realistic ship-to-shore training, designed to enhance the integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team prior to deployment.

Sailor directs a T-45C Goshawk training aircraft, assigned to Training Air Wing (TW) 2, as it launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Atlantic Ocean on Aug. 23, 2019. US Navy Photo
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is underway off Jacksonville, Fla., conducting carrier qualifications for pilots in training.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are thousands of others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Gro

 

[BONE_Buddy]

And this is why the “Military Technology Press” is just as skeevy and dishonest as every other branch of Journalist. “OMG! It costs more than the F-35!!” Ummm yeah? It’s a twin engine air superiority fighter. On more par with the US F-22. Which would be the legitimate comparison. An F-16 was not an F-15. Yes the F-16 cost less. They served different roles at different price points.

All very good points, I will however, make a counterpoint. The F-35, as the press has pointed out, has been a wildly expensive plane to test and develop. This is true, the F-35 has cost a boatload to develop, and cost quite the pretty penny to buy. Yet every time we see another nation try to develop their own aircraft to compete with America's finest, they end up being expensive "White Elephant" projects.

My point being that while the US has problems with military development, so does everyone else. I just find it funny to watch the press turn around and tout the F-35 after ravaging it in attack piece after attack piece.

Now, I don't know if the KF-X will be a good fighter. I don't pretend to know. If the RADAR is AESA, and they have mature Air-to-Air Missiles they can integrate into the aircraft, then it will be able to do 75 percent of what they need it to do.

Anyway, as I said, you make good points.

_

Taiwan’s Sea Guardians will up-link with ST-2 satellite – Alert 5

Taiwan’s Sea Guardians will up-link with ST-2 satellite
The General Atomics Sea Guardian unmanned air vehicles that Taiwan intends to purchase will rely on the ST-2 telecommunications satellite for the uplink back to the ground control station.


Up Media says the wiliness of the United States to allow Taiwan to use the satellite uplink for the MQ-9 was a key factor in persuading the island to use a foreign product instead of the indigenous Teng Yun drone.

Two decades ago, the country had selected the MQ-1 and was negotiating to buy the unmanned aircraft. However, restrictions due to the Missile Technology Control Regime made the Americans take away the satellite uplink function of the Predator. Taiwan was also restricted from operating the MQ-1 at long distances with modified fuel tanks that have smaller capacities. Taking all these limitations into consideration, Taipei walked away from the purchase of the MQ-1.

Another factor against the Teng Yun unmanned air vehicle was that it still does not have the ability to fly a pre-programed route to land back at its base if the control signal is lost or jammed.

For more information, hit the Source below:
{BONE_Note: The article below is in moon runes.}
Source

 

[energ1a]

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/09/europe/french-army-soldiers-technology-ethics-scli-intl-scn/index.html

France now beginning development of Bionic soldiers in Response to research done by Chinese Military.

The French armed forces now have permission to develop "augmented soldiers" following a report from a military ethics committee.
The report, released to the public on Tuesday, considers medical treatments, prosthetics and implants that improve "physical, cognitive, perceptive and psychological capacities," and could allow for location tracking or connectivity with weapons systems and other soldiers.


Other possible interventions considered by the armed forces ethics committee include medical treatments to prevent pain, stress and fatigue, and substances that would improve mental resilience if a soldier were taken prisoner.

 

[Dark Edea]

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/09/europe/french-army-soldiers-technology-ethics-scli-intl-scn/index.html

France now beginning development of Bionic soldiers in Response to research done by Chinese Military.

Bad idea. Don't they know about Khan Singh?

 

[Johan Schmidt]

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/09/europe/french-army-soldiers-technology-ethics-scli-intl-scn/index.html

France now beginning development of Bionic soldiers in Response to research done by Chinese Military.

Bad idea. Don't they know about Khan Singh?

Why bother genetically enhancing, or robotically enhancing when you could just start handing out meth tablets again. Hard to put down a man that's so hopped up on Crank and PCP that he bleeds powder.

 

[Dark Edea]

Why bother genetically enhancing, or robotically enhancing when you could just start handing out meth tablets again. Hard to put down a man that's so hopped up on Crank and PCP that he bleeds powder.

Agreed. The Cardassians had a much better approach.

 

[The Un-Clit]

Why bother genetically enhancing, or robotically enhancing when you could just start handing out meth tablets again. Hard to put down a man that's so hopped up on Crank and PCP that he bleeds powder.

Hell, military stimulants have had a long and successful history since alcohol was first discovered. Get the troops loaded with alot of anti-enemy propaganda provided at the same time, lots of 'kill the fuckin' Egyptians' cheers and the army was ready for some red slaughter long before 20th century chemists discovered that amphetamines could keep soldiers going for days on end with high morale.

There were a lot of 'secret potions' developed over the centuries based on herbal and alchemical lore, most of which just drove soldiers insane instead of ready to kick ass.

The Vikings had probably the best pre-chemistry method: find the craziest motherfuckers in the nation, put bear-fur shirts on them, tell them they are the elite touched by the Gods and teach them to work themselves into an insane foaming rage, call them berzerks and put them in the front ranks of the landing ships in an invasion while they chew on their shields and stamp and foam, and let them the fuck out of the boats onto the lands of the poor bastards being raided. Too bad it led to pretty high mortality rate and of course eventual permanent insanity in the survivors.

 

[Snekposter]

You forgot the part where the insides of those pelts were coated with magic mushroom paste. Psilocybin is a hell of a drug. The Gauls and Belgics during the time of Rome had similar with the gaesatae, only they'd be ass-naked and drink their drugs before battle and go into it armed with a shield and spears and javelins made of solid iron from tip to butt.

 

[NerdShamer]

Too bad it led to pretty high mortality rate and of course eventual permanent insanity in the survivors.

That's not a bug, it's a feature.

You sent hundreds of these glorious warriors to Valhalla and have a few executioners who also serves as a role model for your insane shock troops.

 

[The Un-Clit]

You forgot the part where the insides of those pelts were coated with magic mushroom paste. Psilocybin is a hell of a drug. The Gauls and Belgics during the time of Rome had similar with the gaesatae, only they'd be ass-naked and drink their drugs before battle and go into it armed with a shield and spears and javelins made of solid iron from tip to butt.

Good point! It was actually more likely Amanita Muscaria mushrooms native to northern Europe, psilocybin 'shrooms were almost unknown in Europe as they were almost entirely 'new world' mushrooms with a couple of rare species in Africa.

Amanita was commonly used in the shamanic rituals of the Sibir and other 'far north' tribes as well, so it's effects on body and mind were known to the druids of the Celts and shamans of other european tribes like the Norse.

(I can also say from experience that psilocybin does not make you want to fight, at all. The last thing you want is hassle when you're shroomin, everything is too goddamn interesting and arguing or fighting just gets in the way.)

 

[Snekposter]

Ah, thanks for correcting me on which mushroom it was.

 

[The Un-Clit]

Ah, thanks for correcting me on which mushroom it was.

What can I say, I like me some 'shrooms. I grew my own cubbies for a while, but the mycelium has a funky, foot-cheese smell and even in a confined room it seeps out.