Ohio-Class Submarine Replacement Program Receives 'Milestone A' Authority

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's Ohio-class submarine replacement program achieved 'Milestone A' and is approved to enter the Technology Development Phase of the Department of Defense life cycle management system as of Jan. 10. 

Milestone A is the point at which a recommendation is made and approval sought regarding starting or continuing an acquisition program, i.e., proceeding to the next phase. Reaching the milestone allows the Ohio-class replacement program to move into the technology development phase. During this phase, the program will establish requirements and continue design and technology development efforts that will ultimately lead to a ship construction contract. 

The milestone was met following the endorsement of the Defense Acquisition Board, chaired by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Dr. Ashton Carter, on Dec. 9. 

Navy Test Pilot Completes First F-35B Flight

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- After a series of extensive ground and simulator

training events, Lt. Cmdr. Eric "Magic" Buus completed the first flight by a U.S. Navy test pilot of an F-35B STOVL variant Joint Strike Fighter Feb. 3.

"The flight was very enjoyable and went off without a hitch," Buus said. "I'm very blessed to be on this program, and it's a testament to the designers and engineers that this airplane flies so well. I'm looking

forward to getting a few more hours, helping the team knock out test points, and delivering this airplane to the warfighters. I think the fleet is going

to love this airplane."

Aircraft Carriers Face Growing Threats

On the American ballistic submarine USS Maine in waters off the Florida coast not too long ago, two submariners eyed a U.S. aircraft carrier through their periscope in the roiling sea. “I think it’s the Washington,” one submariner said. “It doesn’t matter — it doesn’t know we’re here,” the other replied, eyeing the carrier through the scope. “Bang,” he said. “You’re dead.”

In the submarine world, carriers, like other surface ships, represent targets. But lately U.S. aircraft carriers have appeared to be growing more vulnerable to threats deployed from under the sea and in the air.

And those threats have to be taken even more seriously, given recent U.S. government reports about the advancements made in some of those weapons and questioning the carrier fleet’s ability to protect itself.

Indian Navy issued a tender for landing boats

Indian Navy issued an international tender for ten landing boats to be used for carrying of troops and vehicles from ships to the land, reports PTI. So far, it is uncertain what companies will compete in the tender. According to Indian military, new boats will be also used as troop transport ferries between Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. 

Troop-carrying capacity of the boats should be at least 55 tons. Such boat must fit in Magar class or Shardulclass landing ships as well as INS Jalashwa amphibious transport dock. A boat must be capable to accommodate either 150 marines and one T-72 (T-90) main battle tank, or two infantry fighting vehicles, or two 2.5-ton trucks, or four light armored vehicles. 

HMS Manchester says her farewells

THERE’S a last chance to see the Busy Bee in the North West from tomorrow as HMS Manchester pays her final visit before decommissioning.

The veteran destroyer, which has served her nation for nearly 30 years, pays off later this month in her home port of Portsmouth.

Before doing so, however, she is saying ‘thank you’ to her friends and affiliates across Manchester and Lancashire (aka God's Own County).

Low(ish) bridges over the Manchester Ship Canal and the Type 42 destroyer’s tall mast preclude the ship herself sailing into the heart of the northern metropolis.

Instead, the Busy Bee (she takes her nickname from the insects on her ship’s badge which, in turn, traces its history back to the city’s role in the industrial revolution) will berth at Liverpool’s Cruise Liner Terminal around 10am tomorrow with the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Mark Hackett,  aboard.