US Armed Forces

[Khafee]

Raytheon, United Technologies merger to create defense powerhouse
June 10, 2019
By Nicholas Sakelaris

Raytheon announced a merger with United Technologies Corp. that creates an aerospace and defense powerhouse. Photo courtesy of Raytheon

June 10 (UPI) -- United Technologies and Raytheon announced a "merger of equals" that would form a combined company with revenues of $74 billion and valuation of $166 billion.

The combined company will be named Raytheon Technologies Corp. The deal will return $18 to $20 billion back to shareholders in the first 36 months after closing, expected in the first half of 2020, the companies said in an announcement on Sunday.

United Technologies shareholders would own 57 percent of the combined company, with Raytheon shareholders owning the rest. UTC makes jet engines, including those produced by its Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace subsidaries. Raytheon makes everything from missiles and missile defense systems to radars and cybersecurity solutions.

"The combination of United Technologies and Raytheon will define the future of aerospace and defense," United Technologies chairman and CEO Greg Hayes said in a statement. "Our two companies have iconic brands that share a long history of innovation, customer focus and proven execution. By joining forces, we will have unsurpassed technology and expanded R&D capabilities that will allow us to invest through business cycles and address our customers' highest priorities."

Hayes will be named CEO of Raytheon Technologies, with Tom Kennedy, current CEO and chairman of Raytheon, as executive chairman of the combined company. In two years, Hayes will rise to the role of chairman and CEO, the company said.

As a result of the merger, UTC will spin off its Otis elevator division and the Carrier building systems unit so it can focus entirely on aerospace.

The merger is expected to be one of the largest of the year.

Raytheon, United Technologies merger to create defense powerhouse - UPI.com

United Technologies and Raytheon announced a "merger of equals" that would form a combined company with revenues of $74 billion and a valuation of $166 billion.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Raytheon, United Technologies merger to create defense powerhouse
June 10, 2019
By Nicholas Sakelaris

View attachment 7830
Raytheon announced a merger with United Technologies Corp. that creates an aerospace and defense powerhouse. Photo courtesy of Raytheon

June 10 (UPI) -- United Technologies and Raytheon announced a "merger of equals" that would form a combined company with revenues of $74 billion and valuation of $166 billion.

The combined company will be named Raytheon Technologies Corp. The deal will return $18 to $20 billion back to shareholders in the first 36 months after closing, expected in the first half of 2020, the companies said in an announcement on Sunday.

United Technologies shareholders would own 57 percent of the combined company, with Raytheon shareholders owning the rest. UTC makes jet engines, including those produced by its Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace subsidaries. Raytheon makes everything from missiles and missile defense systems to radars and cybersecurity solutions.

"The combination of United Technologies and Raytheon will define the future of aerospace and defense," United Technologies chairman and CEO Greg Hayes said in a statement. "Our two companies have iconic brands that share a long history of innovation, customer focus and proven execution. By joining forces, we will have unsurpassed technology and expanded R&D capabilities that will allow us to invest through business cycles and address our customers' highest priorities."

Hayes will be named CEO of Raytheon Technologies, with Tom Kennedy, current CEO and chairman of Raytheon, as executive chairman of the combined company. In two years, Hayes will rise to the role of chairman and CEO, the company said.

As a result of the merger, UTC will spin off its Otis elevator division and the Carrier building systems unit so it can focus entirely on aerospace.

The merger is expected to be one of the largest of the year.

Raytheon, United Technologies merger to create defense powerhouse - UPI.com

United Technologies and Raytheon announced a "merger of equals" that would form a combined company with revenues of $74 billion and a valuation of $166 billion.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Raytheon, United Technologies merger to create defense powerhouse
June 10, 2019
By Nicholas Sakelaris

View attachment 7830
Raytheon announced a merger with United Technologies Corp. that creates an aerospace and defense powerhouse. Photo courtesy of Raytheon

June 10 (UPI) -- United Technologies and Raytheon announced a "merger of equals" that would form a combined company with revenues of $74 billion and valuation of $166 billion.

The combined company will be named Raytheon Technologies Corp. The deal will return $18 to $20 billion back to shareholders in the first 36 months after closing, expected in the first half of 2020, the companies said in an announcement on Sunday.

United Technologies shareholders would own 57 percent of the combined company, with Raytheon shareholders owning the rest. UTC makes jet engines, including those produced by its Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace subsidaries. Raytheon makes everything from missiles and missile defense systems to radars and cybersecurity solutions.

"The combination of United Technologies and Raytheon will define the future of aerospace and defense," United Technologies chairman and CEO Greg Hayes said in a statement. "Our two companies have iconic brands that share a long history of innovation, customer focus and proven execution. By joining forces, we will have unsurpassed technology and expanded R&D capabilities that will allow us to invest through business cycles and address our customers' highest priorities."

Hayes will be named CEO of Raytheon Technologies, with Tom Kennedy, current CEO and chairman of Raytheon, as executive chairman of the combined company. In two years, Hayes will rise to the role of chairman and CEO, the company said.

As a result of the merger, UTC will spin off its Otis elevator division and the Carrier building systems unit so it can focus entirely on aerospace.

The merger is expected to be one of the largest of the year.

Raytheon, United Technologies merger to create defense powerhouse - UPI.com

United Technologies and Raytheon announced a "merger of equals" that would form a combined company with revenues of $74 billion and a valuation of $166 billion.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Improvised explosive device damages U.S. tactical vehicle in Niger
June 10, 2019
By Allen Cone

View attachment 7842
A U.S. Army Special Forces weapons sergeant observes a Niger Army soldier during marksmanship training as part of Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, on February 28, 2017. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Klutts/U.S. Army

June 10 (UPI) -- An improvised explosive device damaged a U.S. tactical vehicle in western Niger, with no casualties reported by U.S. Africa Command.

On Saturday, an MATV, or mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle, was entering a firing range in the vicinity of Ouallam during a training exercise with Nigerian partner forces when the explosion occurred, the command said Sunday.

Although there were no reported fatalities, U.S. service members were being evaluated as a precaution.

Originally Africa Command reported the incident occurred in the firing range.

Nigerien partner forces have secured the scene and are assessing the incident.

Four service members from an undisclosed branch unit were in the vehicle, Air Force Col. Christopher Karns, an AFRICOM spokesman, told Military Times.

U.S. forces are working with Nigerien force to promote stability and security in efforts against violent extremist organizations.

"Niger is a vital partner in the fight against violent extremist organizations," according to a news release. "U.S. Africa command is committed to our relationship with our Nigerien partner forces in our efforts to counter threats and foster prosperity in the region."

Ouallam is near the location that four U.S. Green Berets died during an ambush in the village of Tongo Tongo on Oct. 4, 2017, by Islamic militants, who also killed four Nigerien soldiers in the joint patrol force. They were were returning to their base after a stop in the village.

Several junior and mid-grade officers and enlisted personnel were reprimanded for the incident in which the militants used machine guns and small arms. An initial Defense Department investigation cited organizational failures and a lack of proper training for that particular combat situation.

On Thursday, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said no further disciplinary action will be taken against soldiers.

The Pentagon said nine valor medals for heroic actions will be given in connection to the attack.

Improvised explosive device damages U.S. tactical vehicle in Niger - UPI.com

An improvised explosive device damaged a U.S. tactical vehicle in western Niger, with no casualties reported by U.S. Africa Command.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

U.S. Navy leads 18-nation exercise in Germany
By Allen Cone
June 10, 2019

View attachment 7844
Marines and sailors aboard the USS Mount Whitney, a Blue-Ridge class amphibious command ship, make final preparations Tuesday in Kiel, Germany, before participating in BALTOPS 19 . Photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/U.S. Marine Corps

View attachment 7845
A mechanic conducts a freshwater washdown Wednesday of a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney in Kiel, Gerany, in preparation for Baltic Operations 2019. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jack D. Aistrup/U.S. Navy

View attachment 7846
The USS Fort McHenry, a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, prepares to moor Thursday at Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen in preparation for Baltops 2019. Photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/U.S. Marine Corps

View attachment 7847
The British Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, RFA Argus, sits pier side at Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen, Germany, on Saturday in preparation for BALTOPs 2019. Photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/U.S. Marine Corps

View attachment 7848
The Turkish Gabya Class-frigate T.C.G. Gokova departs Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen, Germany, Sunday, in preparation for BALTOPS 2019 in Kiel, Germany. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua M. Tolbert/U.S. Navy

View attachment 7849
Ships are moored pierside at Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen, Germany, Friday in preparation for BALTOPS 2019. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua M. Tolbert/U.S. Navy

June 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's 2nd Fleet is leading BALTOPS, a two-week, 18-nation exercise that involves 8,600 personnel in Germany's Baltic Sea port of Kiel.

The 47th annual multinational Baltic Operations began Sunday and ends June 21 among the NATO allies.

BALTOPS, which is an annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region, is one of the largest exercises in northern Europe "enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations," according to a Navy news release.

"No one nation can face today's challenges alone, we are much stronger together," Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet, said. "Our partner and NATO alliances must continue to strengthen our deterrence and defense efforts and adapt through improving readiness and responsiveness."

Other participating nations are Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey.

The exercise will include 50 surface ships, 36 aircraft and two submarines. The USS Mount Whitney, a Blue-Ridge class amphibious command ship, and the USS Fort McHenry, a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, are among the ships participating.

"I think BALTOPS represents the habit we have made in operating in a coalition environment and in a multinational environment," said British Royal Navy Rear Adm. Andrew Burns. "One of the advantages, particularly in the NATO framework, as we operate together more and more we standardize our procedures so we now have a generation of military folk who are used to operating together with standard procedures."

Activities will include finding and destroying sea mines and submarines, using air defense and landing troops onshore as well as defense against attack from enemy navy vessels.

NATO's Air Operations Center in Uedem will direct all air operations.

"Baltic Sea is of vital strategic importance for the Alliance and is bordered by six NATO countries," NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in a news release. "BALTOPS is now in its 47th year and is not directed against anyone -- but clearly the security environment in the region has deteriorated after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea."

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania touch the Baltic Sea, and Finland, Norway and Sweden dip into the sea.

A scheduled landing is planned in Klaipeda, Lithuania, about 90 miles from where Russia maintains a naval base in Kaliningrad, USNI News reported.

The 2nd Fleet command in Norfolk, Va., was re-established last year amid Russia's growing naval activity in the Atlantic.

"BALTOPS tests how well our forces work together and shows that NATO can defend itself against any adversary," Lungescu said.

Also, BALTOPS will be among the first major training opportunities for the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, which includes 3,000 personnel from several NATO and partner countries.

After BALTOPS, most ships participate in the Kielerwochen naval parade in Kiel, NATO said.

U.S. Navy leads 18-nation exercise in Germany - UPI.com

The U.S. Navy's 2nd Fleet is leading BALTOPS, a two-week, 18-nation exercise that involves 8,600 personnel in the Baltic Sea.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

U.S. Navy leads 18-nation exercise in Germany
By Allen Cone
June 10, 2019

View attachment 7844
Marines and sailors aboard the USS Mount Whitney, a Blue-Ridge class amphibious command ship, make final preparations Tuesday in Kiel, Germany, before participating in BALTOPS 19 . Photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/U.S. Marine Corps

View attachment 7845
A mechanic conducts a freshwater washdown Wednesday of a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney in Kiel, Gerany, in preparation for Baltic Operations 2019. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jack D. Aistrup/U.S. Navy

View attachment 7846
The USS Fort McHenry, a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, prepares to moor Thursday at Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen in preparation for Baltops 2019. Photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/U.S. Marine Corps

View attachment 7847
The British Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, RFA Argus, sits pier side at Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen, Germany, on Saturday in preparation for BALTOPs 2019. Photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/U.S. Marine Corps

View attachment 7848
The Turkish Gabya Class-frigate T.C.G. Gokova departs Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen, Germany, Sunday, in preparation for BALTOPS 2019 in Kiel, Germany. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua M. Tolbert/U.S. Navy

View attachment 7849
Ships are moored pierside at Naval Base Kiel-Tirpitzhafen, Germany, Friday in preparation for BALTOPS 2019. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua M. Tolbert/U.S. Navy

June 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's 2nd Fleet is leading BALTOPS, a two-week, 18-nation exercise that involves 8,600 personnel in Germany's Baltic Sea port of Kiel.

The 47th annual multinational Baltic Operations began Sunday and ends June 21 among the NATO allies.

BALTOPS, which is an annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region, is one of the largest exercises in northern Europe "enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations," according to a Navy news release.

"No one nation can face today's challenges alone, we are much stronger together," Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet, said. "Our partner and NATO alliances must continue to strengthen our deterrence and defense efforts and adapt through improving readiness and responsiveness."

Other participating nations are Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey.

The exercise will include 50 surface ships, 36 aircraft and two submarines. The USS Mount Whitney, a Blue-Ridge class amphibious command ship, and the USS Fort McHenry, a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, are among the ships participating.

"I think BALTOPS represents the habit we have made in operating in a coalition environment and in a multinational environment," said British Royal Navy Rear Adm. Andrew Burns. "One of the advantages, particularly in the NATO framework, as we operate together more and more we standardize our procedures so we now have a generation of military folk who are used to operating together with standard procedures."

Activities will include finding and destroying sea mines and submarines, using air defense and landing troops onshore as well as defense against attack from enemy navy vessels.

NATO's Air Operations Center in Uedem will direct all air operations.

"Baltic Sea is of vital strategic importance for the Alliance and is bordered by six NATO countries," NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in a news release. "BALTOPS is now in its 47th year and is not directed against anyone -- but clearly the security environment in the region has deteriorated after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea."

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania touch the Baltic Sea, and Finland, Norway and Sweden dip into the sea.

A scheduled landing is planned in Klaipeda, Lithuania, about 90 miles from where Russia maintains a naval base in Kaliningrad, USNI News reported.

The 2nd Fleet command in Norfolk, Va., was re-established last year amid Russia's growing naval activity in the Atlantic.

"BALTOPS tests how well our forces work together and shows that NATO can defend itself against any adversary," Lungescu said.

Also, BALTOPS will be among the first major training opportunities for the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, which includes 3,000 personnel from several NATO and partner countries.

After BALTOPS, most ships participate in the Kielerwochen naval parade in Kiel, NATO said.

U.S. Navy leads 18-nation exercise in Germany - UPI.com

The U.S. Navy's 2nd Fleet is leading BALTOPS, a two-week, 18-nation exercise that involves 8,600 personnel in the Baltic Sea.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Human remains recovered from December crash of U.S. military planes
June 10, 2019
By Ed Adamczyk

The U.S. Marines said Monday that human remains were found in the investigation of a December 2018 crash of two military planes off Japan's southern coast. Six people died in the collision of an F/A-18 Hornet fighter plane, similar to the plane depicted, and a KC130J tanker plane. Photo by Lance Cpl. Seth Rosenberg/U.S. Marine Corps


June 10 (UPI) -- A salvage operation after a midair collision of military planes off Japan's coast ended with the recovery of human remains, the U.S. Marines said on Monday.

The two-week search concluded on Friday, yielding the cockpit voice recorder and digital flight recorder of the KC-130J tanker plane involved in the Dec. 6, 2018, nighttime collision with an F/A-18 Hornet fighter plane.

Five crewmembers of the tanker and the pilot of the fighter were killed in the collision, about 200 miles south of Muroto Cape on Shikoku Island, off Japan's southern coast. Only the Hornet's weapons officer survived.

The Marines identified those aboard the tanker as Lt. Col. Kevin R. Herrmann, 38, of New Bern, N.C.; Maj. James M. Brophy, 36, of Staatsburg, N.Y.; Staff Sgt. Maximo A. Flores, 27, of Surprise, Ariz.; Cpl. Daniel E. Baker, 21, of Tremont, Ill.; Cpl. William C. Ross, 21, of Hendersonville, Tenn. All were members of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152. Capt. Jahmar F. Resilard, 28, of Miramar, Fla., the pilot of the fighter plane, was rescued but later died of his injuries.

A search spanning 3,500 square nautical miles ended after five days. The cause of the collision has not been established.

"Human remains were recovered during the salvage operation," a statement on Monday from III Marine Expeditionary Force said. "At this time, the number and identity of those recovered is not known. The remains will be transferred to Dover Air Force Base, Del., where formal identification will be made by competent medical authorities."

The recording devices were sent to Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md., for investigation.

Human remains recovered from December midair crash of U.S. military planes - UPI.com

A salvage operation after a midair collision of military planes off Japan's coast ended with the recovery of human remains, the U.S. Marines said on Monday.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Human remains recovered from December crash of U.S. military planes
June 10, 2019
By Ed Adamczyk
View attachment 7862
The U.S. Marines said Monday that human remains were found in the investigation of a December 2018 crash of two military planes off Japan's southern coast. Six people died in the collision of an F/A-18 Hornet fighter plane, similar to the plane depicted, and a KC130J tanker plane. Photo by Lance Cpl. Seth Rosenberg/U.S. Marine Corps


June 10 (UPI) -- A salvage operation after a midair collision of military planes off Japan's coast ended with the recovery of human remains, the U.S. Marines said on Monday.

The two-week search concluded on Friday, yielding the cockpit voice recorder and digital flight recorder of the KC-130J tanker plane involved in the Dec. 6, 2018, nighttime collision with an F/A-18 Hornet fighter plane.

Five crewmembers of the tanker and the pilot of the fighter were killed in the collision, about 200 miles south of Muroto Cape on Shikoku Island, off Japan's southern coast. Only the Hornet's weapons officer survived.

The Marines identified those aboard the tanker as Lt. Col. Kevin R. Herrmann, 38, of New Bern, N.C.; Maj. James M. Brophy, 36, of Staatsburg, N.Y.; Staff Sgt. Maximo A. Flores, 27, of Surprise, Ariz.; Cpl. Daniel E. Baker, 21, of Tremont, Ill.; Cpl. William C. Ross, 21, of Hendersonville, Tenn. All were members of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152. Capt. Jahmar F. Resilard, 28, of Miramar, Fla., the pilot of the fighter plane, was rescued but later died of his injuries.

A search spanning 3,500 square nautical miles ended after five days. The cause of the collision has not been established.

"Human remains were recovered during the salvage operation," a statement on Monday from III Marine Expeditionary Force said. "At this time, the number and identity of those recovered is not known. The remains will be transferred to Dover Air Force Base, Del., where formal identification will be made by competent medical authorities."

The recording devices were sent to Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md., for investigation.

Human remains recovered from December midair crash of U.S. military planes - UPI.com

A salvage operation after a midair collision of military planes off Japan's coast ended with the recovery of human remains, the U.S. Marines said on Monday.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Bath Iron Works gets $61.6M for work on Navy's DDG 51 destroyers
By Ed Adamczyk
June 10, 2019
The contract modification provides for lead yard services for the DDG 51 program, including material procurment, trials, crew training and support, and other services for the vessels.

The USS John S. McCain, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, arrives in Singapore in 2017. Bath Iron Works has received a $61.6 million contract modification for lead yard services on the destroyer class. File Photo by Grady T. Fontana/U.S. Navy/UPI | License Photo

June 10 (UPI) -- Bath Iron Works received a $61.6 million contract modification for lead yard services for the U.S. Navy's DDG 51-class destroyers.

The Defense Department announced the contract with the company, a division of General Dynamics in Bath, Maine, on Friday.

"Lead yard services" is a broad category encompassing necessary engineering support and configuration, baseline upgrades and new technology support, data and logistics management, analysis, acceptance trials, post-delivery test and trials and other elements of supporting construction of DDG 51-class destroyers.

The ships are based upgraded designs to the Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers, the Navy's first using the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multifunction radar array. The first ship of the class, the USS Arleigh Burke, was commissioned in 1991.

The ships were designed to use Tomahawk and other surface-to-air missiles and engage in antisubmarine warfare. With upgrades to their radar systems and associated missile payloads as part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the class of ships is expected to serve as mobile anti-ballistic missile and anti-satellite weaponry platforms.

The class now comprises 66 ships, with 10 more under construction.

In June, the Navy announced that one will be named in honor of Quentin Walsh, the first time an Arleigh Burke-class ship will honor a member of the Coast Guard. Walsh, who died in 2000, was awarded the Navy Cross for his service during World War II.

The majority of the work announced in Friday's statement will be conducted in Bath, Maine. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., is the contracting agency.

Bath Iron Works gets $61.6M for work on Navy's DDG 51 destroyers - UPI.com

Bath Iron Works received a $61.6 million contract modification for lead yard services for the U.S. Navy's DDG 51-class destroyers.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Bath Iron Works gets $61.6M for work on Navy's DDG 51 destroyers
By Ed Adamczyk
June 10, 2019
The contract modification provides for lead yard services for the DDG 51 program, including material procurment, trials, crew training and support, and other services for the vessels.


View attachment 7864
The USS John S. McCain, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, arrives in Singapore in 2017. Bath Iron Works has received a $61.6 million contract modification for lead yard services on the destroyer class. File Photo by Grady T. Fontana/U.S. Navy/UPI | License Photo

June 10 (UPI) -- Bath Iron Works received a $61.6 million contract modification for lead yard services for the U.S. Navy's DDG 51-class destroyers.

The Defense Department announced the contract with the company, a division of General Dynamics in Bath, Maine, on Friday.

"Lead yard services" is a broad category encompassing necessary engineering support and configuration, baseline upgrades and new technology support, data and logistics management, analysis, acceptance trials, post-delivery test and trials and other elements of supporting construction of DDG 51-class destroyers.

The ships are based upgraded designs to the Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers, the Navy's first using the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multifunction radar array. The first ship of the class, the USS Arleigh Burke, was commissioned in 1991.

The ships were designed to use Tomahawk and other surface-to-air missiles and engage in antisubmarine warfare. With upgrades to their radar systems and associated missile payloads as part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the class of ships is expected to serve as mobile anti-ballistic missile and anti-satellite weaponry platforms.

The class now comprises 66 ships, with 10 more under construction.

In June, the Navy announced that one will be named in honor of Quentin Walsh, the first time an Arleigh Burke-class ship will honor a member of the Coast Guard. Walsh, who died in 2000, was awarded the Navy Cross for his service during World War II.

The majority of the work announced in Friday's statement will be conducted in Bath, Maine. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., is the contracting agency.

Bath Iron Works gets $61.6M for work on Navy's DDG 51 destroyers - UPI.com

Bath Iron Works received a $61.6 million contract modification for lead yard services for the U.S. Navy's DDG 51-class destroyers.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Hospital ship USNS Comfort sails Friday to help refugees from Venezuela
By Ed Adamczyk
June 10, 2019

The hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy to South America and the Caribbean area on June 14, the U.S. Southern Command announced on Monday, to serve refugees from Venezuela. File Photo by Ryan Steinhour/U.S. Navy/UPI y | License Photo

June 10 (UPI) -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy next week on a medical mission to South America and the Caribbean, the U.S. Southern Command announced on Monday.

A Command statement noted that the ship will "provide medical assistance in support of regional partners and in response to the regional impacts of the Venezuela political and economic crisis."

During its five-month deployment the vessel is scheduled to visit, and work with health ministries' hosting Venezuelans who have fled their country in, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Comfort will leave Naval Station Norfolk on Friday, its seventh deployment to the region since 2007. Vice President Mike Pence revealed the Comfort's plans in May.

The ship most recently visited South America and the Caribbean area on an 11-week mission in the autumn of 2018. In support of the U.S. Southern Command's Enduring Promise initiative, the ship and personnel worked to relieve shortages of medical care in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Honduras.

In 2017, Comfort traveled to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico with medical and other supplies. It arrived as 97 percent of the island was without electrical power, and about half the population was without clean drinking water.

"Comfort medical teams will be working alongside host nation medical professionals who are absorbing thousands of Venezuelan migrants and refugees," Adm. Craig Fuller, chief of the U.S. Southern Command, said of the current mission. "The Venezuelan people are desperately fleeing their homeland for hope of a better way of life. We are committed to finding ways to support the Venezuelan people and our regional partners who share the goal of seeing a legitimate, democratic government reinstated in Venezuela."

The USNS Comfort's designation identifies it as a non-commissioned ship owned by the U.S. Navy and crewed by civilians from the Military Sealift Command.

The ship can carry a crew of doctors, nurses and specialists of up to 1,000, and has a total patient capacity of 1,000. It features an 80-bed intensive care ward, a 20-bed recovery ward, a 280-bed intermediate care ward and 12 operating rooms.

Hospital ship USNS Comfort sails Friday to help refugees from Venezuela - UPI.com

The hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy next week on a medical mission to South America and the Caribbean, the U.S. Southern Command announced on Monday.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Hospital ship USNS Comfort sails Friday to help refugees from Venezuela
By Ed Adamczyk
June 10, 2019

View attachment 7866
The hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy to South America and the Caribbean area on June 14, the U.S. Southern Command announced on Monday, to serve refugees from Venezuela. File Photo by Ryan Steinhour/U.S. Navy/UPI y | License Photo

June 10 (UPI) -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy next week on a medical mission to South America and the Caribbean, the U.S. Southern Command announced on Monday.

A Command statement noted that the ship will "provide medical assistance in support of regional partners and in response to the regional impacts of the Venezuela political and economic crisis."

During its five-month deployment the vessel is scheduled to visit, and work with health ministries' hosting Venezuelans who have fled their country in, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Comfort will leave Naval Station Norfolk on Friday, its seventh deployment to the region since 2007. Vice President Mike Pence revealed the Comfort's plans in May.

The ship most recently visited South America and the Caribbean area on an 11-week mission in the autumn of 2018. In support of the U.S. Southern Command's Enduring Promise initiative, the ship and personnel worked to relieve shortages of medical care in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Honduras.

In 2017, Comfort traveled to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico with medical and other supplies. It arrived as 97 percent of the island was without electrical power, and about half the population was without clean drinking water.

"Comfort medical teams will be working alongside host nation medical professionals who are absorbing thousands of Venezuelan migrants and refugees," Adm. Craig Fuller, chief of the U.S. Southern Command, said of the current mission. "The Venezuelan people are desperately fleeing their homeland for hope of a better way of life. We are committed to finding ways to support the Venezuelan people and our regional partners who share the goal of seeing a legitimate, democratic government reinstated in Venezuela."

The USNS Comfort's designation identifies it as a non-commissioned ship owned by the U.S. Navy and crewed by civilians from the Military Sealift Command.

The ship can carry a crew of doctors, nurses and specialists of up to 1,000, and has a total patient capacity of 1,000. It features an 80-bed intensive care ward, a 20-bed recovery ward, a 280-bed intermediate care ward and 12 operating rooms.

Hospital ship USNS Comfort sails Friday to help refugees from Venezuela - UPI.com

The hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy next week on a medical mission to South America and the Caribbean, the U.S. Southern Command announced on Monday.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

House committee delays decision on funding Space Force
June 10, 2019
By Ed Adamczyk
The House Armed Services Committee left funding for the proposed military branch of a released version of its 2020 Pentagon spending plan because members could not compromise fast enough.

President Donald J. Trump signed a directive to establish a Space Force on February 19, 2019. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

June 10 (UPI) -- A draft of the National Defense Authorization Act released by the House on Monday has no mention of the Space Force envisioned by President Donald Trump.

The House Armed Services Committee will debate the matter on Wednesday, members of the committee said.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., committee chairman, said any inclusion of funding would build an outer space military branch "smaller and more focused" than Trump's plan, which calls for a Space Command as a division of the U.S. Air Force before it can be spun off into a separate branch with the same status as the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

Trump unveiled his plan in February, saying "Space, that's the next step and we have to be prepared. I think we'll have great support from Congress."
"The main difference is less bureaucracy," Smith said, noting that the House would insist on fewer mandatory transfers of personnel and lower overall costs. He added that a military space force has been considered in the past, and that passage of a bill need not be regarded as a win for Trump.

"This is not President Trump's idea. Of the many bad ideas this president has had, don't think of this as: 'If you're for the Space Force, that means you 100 percent support President Trump,'" Smith said. "We were talking about this long before the president knew Space Force even existed. He grabbed onto it, but it isn't about him."

Smith admitted, though, that the Air Force has not prioritized military use of space while China and Russa have made it a priority.

"I think the Air Force has not done a particularly good job of managing space," Smith said on Monday, "and if I was not in a breakfast setting with a bunch of reporters I would put that much less diplomatically. They're not doing a good job."

A Senate version of the bill includes $72.4 million for formation of the new service branch, but unlike the White House proposal, does not authorize an undersecretary of the Air Force for space matters. A similar proposal passed the House in 2017.

The Senate and House must reconcile their versions of the bill before final passage, and debate will offer Space Force proponents in Congress additional opportunities to promote their visions.

House committee delays decision on funding Space Force - UPI.com

A draft of the National Defense Authorization Act released by the House does not fund the Space Force envisioned by President Donald Trump, but members of Congress say an amendment for it will be voted on Wednesday.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

House committee delays decision on funding Space Force
June 10, 2019
By Ed Adamczyk
The House Armed Services Committee left funding for the proposed military branch of a released version of its 2020 Pentagon spending plan because members could not compromise fast enough.

View attachment 7868

View attachment 7869
President Donald J. Trump signed a directive to establish a Space Force on February 19, 2019. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

June 10 (UPI) -- A draft of the National Defense Authorization Act released by the House on Monday has no mention of the Space Force envisioned by President Donald Trump.

The House Armed Services Committee will debate the matter on Wednesday, members of the committee said.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., committee chairman, said any inclusion of funding would build an outer space military branch "smaller and more focused" than Trump's plan, which calls for a Space Command as a division of the U.S. Air Force before it can be spun off into a separate branch with the same status as the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

Trump unveiled his plan in February, saying "Space, that's the next step and we have to be prepared. I think we'll have great support from Congress."
"The main difference is less bureaucracy," Smith said, noting that the House would insist on fewer mandatory transfers of personnel and lower overall costs. He added that a military space force has been considered in the past, and that passage of a bill need not be regarded as a win for Trump.

"This is not President Trump's idea. Of the many bad ideas this president has had, don't think of this as: 'If you're for the Space Force, that means you 100 percent support President Trump,'" Smith said. "We were talking about this long before the president knew Space Force even existed. He grabbed onto it, but it isn't about him."

Smith admitted, though, that the Air Force has not prioritized military use of space while China and Russa have made it a priority.

"I think the Air Force has not done a particularly good job of managing space," Smith said on Monday, "and if I was not in a breakfast setting with a bunch of reporters I would put that much less diplomatically. They're not doing a good job."

A Senate version of the bill includes $72.4 million for formation of the new service branch, but unlike the White House proposal, does not authorize an undersecretary of the Air Force for space matters. A similar proposal passed the House in 2017.

The Senate and House must reconcile their versions of the bill before final passage, and debate will offer Space Force proponents in Congress additional opportunities to promote their visions.

House committee delays decision on funding Space Force - UPI.com

A draft of the National Defense Authorization Act released by the House does not fund the Space Force envisioned by President Donald Trump, but members of Congress say an amendment for it will be voted on Wednesday.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 'historic' $34B F-35 deal
Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have reached a "handshake agreement" for three future production lots of the F-35 at less than $80 million per aircraft.
June 11, 2019
By Allen Cone
View attachment 7886
An F-35A, assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing, takes off from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., on August 3, 2018.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jensen Stidham/U.S. Air Force

June 11 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Department of Defense have reached a "handshake agreement" on a $34 billion contract to produce three future lots of F-35 Lightning II fighter planes at the lowest cost in the program's history.

In the largest F-35 procurement yet, Lockheed Martin will produce 478 F-35s, with the company estimating that the F-35A expected to eventually cost less than $80 million per jet, according to a company news release Monday.

Of the 478 F-35s in the agreement, 157 will be produced in Lot 12 for the U.S. military, partner nations and foreign sales customers. And the deal includes options for production Lots 13 and 14 for the rest of the aircraft over the next few years.

Lockheed describes the proposed deal as a "historic milestone."

"When the statutory certification is completed, we will be able to formally announce the final unit recurring flyaway prices for each variant in each lot," said Ellen Lord, the Pentagon's under secretary for acquisition and sustainment. "Until that time, I am proud to state that this agreement has achieved an estimated 8.8 percent savings from Lot 11 to Lot 12 F-35A's, and an approximate average of 15 percent URF reduction across all variants from Lot 11 to Lot 14."

Lockheed estimates the cost of an F-35A will be less than $80 million -- in Lot 13 -- one year earlier than planned.

"This agreement symbolizes my commitment to aggressively reduce F-35 cost, incentivize Industry to meet required performance, and to deliver the greatest capabilities to our warfighters at the best value to our taxpayers," Lord said.

The F-35 Joint Program Office team and Lockheed are finalizing the agreement and expect a formal award by August.

The contract surpasses a long-standing cost reduction commitment earlier than planned.

"With smart acquisition strategies, strong government-industry partnership and a relentless focus on cost reduction, the F-35 enterprise has successfully reduced procurement costs of the 5th Generation F-35 to equal or less than 4th Generation legacy aircraft," said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the F-35 program.

The average F-35 unit cost in fiscal year 2019 for the Defense Department was $108.78 million, according to a Pentagon report in March.

Lockheed has been seeking to cut subcontractor costs.

In April, Lockheed announced sub-contractors have been moved into performance-based logistics contracts or master repair agreements to improve capacity, reduce costs and enhance supply availability.

At the time, Ulmer said restructuring and streamlining contracts with industry partners was meant to "provide the long-term stability that will allow them to make investments, improve efficiencies and optimize their performance."

Since 2015, Lockheed Martin said it has reduced its portion of operating costs per aircraft by 15 percent and the touch labor on its production line by about 75 percent.

The first production F-35A was completed at Lockheed's plant in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2006. The U.S. Marine Corps, which flies the short takeoff/vertical landing version of the aircraft, the F-35B, was the first U.S. military branch to declare the plane operational, doing so in 2015.

The F-35A is planned to replace the A-10 and F-16 for the Air Force, the F-35C is to replace the F/A-18C for the U.S. Navy, the F-35B will take over for F/A-18B and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The U.S. military will eventually receive 2,456 F-35s -- 1,763 for the Air Force, 420 for the Marine Corps and 273 for the Navy, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Last week, Lockheed Martin was awarded a $1.8 billion contract for design and development of the F-35 Lightning II Phase 2.3 Pre-Modernization program, which includes development of Block 4 upgrades to the aircraft's software.

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 'historic' $34B F-35 deal, lowest per-plane cost yet - UPI.com

Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have reached a "handshake agreement" on a $34 billion contract to produce three future lots of F-35 Lightning II fighter planes at the lowest cost in the program's history

www.upi.com