US Navy's instructor pilot training for the new TH-73A Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) began in June with the first two instructor pilots from Training Air Wing (TAW) 5 getting classroom and hands-on experience at the AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo) facility in Philadelphia.
The U.S. Navy is looking to decommission 8 vessels in 2021. Pending approval from Congress, the plan would see the first four Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) being mothballed.
The US Navy awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a $936 million contract for construction of the future USS Thad Cochrane (DDG 135). This will be the 10th Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the 85th DDG 51 ship overall. It will be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula and is planned to be delivered in 2027.
A new record: The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) and its escort ship, the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), have been continuously at sea for 161 days.
The CH-53K King Stallion completed a two-week period of sea trials in the Atlantic earlier this month. This was the first opportunity to see the aircraft working in a modern naval environment.
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Oakland (LCS 24) June 26 during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. Oakland is the 22nd littoral combat ship (LCS) and the 12th ship of the Independence-class built by Austal USA.
On June 23, 2020, while peacefully operating in the Caribbean Sea, USS Nitze conducted a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP), contesting an excessive maritime claim by Venezuela.
The U.S. Navy’s first CMV-22B Osprey for operational use arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, June 22. The tilt-rotor aircraft configured for Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) missions is replacing the C-2A Greyhound.
Shipbuilder Metal Shark has introduced the welded-aluminum “52 Fearless Super Interceptor,” an offshore-capable, ultra-high-performance military patrol vessel delivering 70-knot top speeds. Production has commenced at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette, Louisiana USA production facility, with fifteen vessels currently on order for overseas military and law enforcement interests.
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) FREMM Frigates FS Auvergne and FS Bretagne won the US Navy's "Hook'em" award. This is the second time U.S. 6th Fleet has provided the award to French ships for their ability to find and track submarines.
