Zitat:Lockheed Martin Launches Patriot Missile From VLS In First-Ever Test

Lockheed Martin vertically launched a PAC-3 MSE for the first time in a test that downed a cruise missile target. [...]

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New Mexico – In partnership with multiple Department of Defense Services and Components, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) launched a PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE)interceptor from an MK-70 containerized launch platform to engage a cruise missile target in flight. This test marks the first time PAC-3 MSE was launched in this configuration, utilizing the Virtualized Aegis Weapon System, to intercept a live target.

“This successful test showcases Lockheed Martin’s commitment to developing mission-focused, integrated technology to keep those who serve ahead of evolving threats,” said Tom Copeman, vice president of Strategy and Naval Programs at Lockheed Martin. “These systems could deliver a proven, Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability with growing capacity to the U.S. to help defend against advanced, maneuverable threats.” [...]

While the concept is not new, the company highlighted the missile’s growing production lines and ballistic missile defense capabilities in its navalized concept of PAC-3 MSE. Numerous tests and integration with the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Weapons System has taken place, including the completion of the Navy Integrated Fires Terminal Defense study last year.

Zitat:Will The U.S. Navy Build New Cruisers?

Naval News asked the U.S. Navy if it would design and build new cruisers once the aging Ticonderoga-class cruisers are retired. Naval News also sought analysis from two military analysts on the Navy’s decision. [...]

The U.S. Navy’s Ticonderoga-class cruisers are approaching the end of their service lives and will be decommissioned in the coming years. By 2027, all cruisers will be gone. What will replace them, and will the U.S. Navy build new cruisers as replacements?

The U.S. Navy did have the Next-Generation Cruiser program (CG(X)), started in November 2001, to design and replace the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. The CG(X) program was canceled in 2010. In CG(X)’s canceled program’s place, the U.S. Navy decided to acquire Flight III DDG-51s, upgraded versions of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. [...]

In June 2024, Naval News asked the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) about cruiser replacements and if there would be any new CG(X) program resurrection. NAVSEA forwarded my request to the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Information (CHINFO) office, who replied:

“The Navy does not intend to replace Ticonderoga-class cruisers with CG(X). In the near term, the DDG 51 FLT III, and DDG(X) in the long term, fulfill the requirements historically supported by the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. While DDG 51 Flight III capabilities enable the surface force to pace adversary threats into the future, after 40 years of production and 30 years of upgrades, the DDG 51 hull form has inadequate space, weight, power, and cooling margins (SWaP-C) for future upgrades,”

“DDG(X) represents an evolutionary vice revolutionary approach that will provide the Navy with the warfighting capabilities and SWaP-C margins to relieve both the Arleigh Burke DDG 51 class destroyer and Ticonderoga CG 47 class cruiser as the next enduring hull form.” [...]

When asked why the CG(X) program was canceled and if the Requirements for the CG(X) program still exist, CHINFO’s spokesperson said, “CG(X) represented a revolutionary vision for the future of the Navy. However, CG(X) was based on the matured DDG 1000 hull form, which met with significant technical and affordability issues. The requirements that were filled by the Ticonderoga-class cruiser are now being filled by DDG 51 FLT III in the near term and DDG(X) in the long term. The Navy’s current capabilities resident within DDG 51 FLT III and DDG(X) ship classes are sufficient to meet the requirements the CG(X) program was intended to fulfill. These capabilities are deemed sufficient to support the Surface Navy’s mission throughout the range of military operations. Accordingly, there is no plan to pursue the CG(X).” [...]

Naval News contacted the RAND Corporation and spoke with Dr. Bradley Martin, the RAND National Security Supply Chain Institute Director and RAND’s Senior Policy Researcher. [...]

“I don’t view the class designations as being a particularly big deal. The fundamental consideration is capability relative to [the] mission. There are some things CGs could do that DDGs could not – mostly in the realm of command and control – but overall, they’re all simply large surface combatants,” Dr. Martin said regarding the U.S. Navy no longer having active-duty or newly built cruisers by 2027. “Again, we’re into nomenclature rather than actual capability. DDG(X) will have the same radar and battle management system as CG(X) would likely have had. CGs were major commands, and the ship’s CO [Commanding Officer] could be designated Air Defense Commander [ADC] – and the CG had a bit more staff to accommodate that – but with the ability to distribute operations, I doubt that difference will be noticed. Widely distributed operations and C2 [Command and Control] capabilities have diminished the need to have a ship whose main purpose is to support the ADC. Integrated Air and Missile Defense is a widely distributed joint architecture. The lack of a CG in the network is unlikely to undermine C2.”

The U.S. Navy’s destroyers have fewer Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells than cruisers. Dr. Martin offered his insights on this, noting a destroyer’s smaller number of VLS cells and one less gun than on a cruiser. “Depends on the number of cells ultimately designed into DDG(X), but between FFG(X) [USS Constellation frigate] and the legacy DDGs, the total number of cells across the fleet will likely remain about the same (indeed, the limitation won’t be on cells but on missiles to put in the cells). Guns for NSFS [Naval Surface Fire Support] are at best a legacy capability. One gun or two guns – it’s hard to get a ship in close enough to actually do much good with surface fire support.

“DDG(X) can likely be configured to host an Air Defense Commander should such be desired. Ability to change payloads gives versatility and allows the distribution of different missions across similar ships. However, there aren’t all that many capabilities CGs currently possess that DDGs, and in particular DDG(X), don’t already have.”

Zitat:U.S. Navy Launches 26th Virginia-class Attack Submarine

One of the U.S. Navy’s newest attack submarines, the future USS IDAHO (SSN 799), was launched from General Dynamics Electric Boat’s shipyard into the Thames River, Aug. 6. [...] Virginia-class fast-attack submarines provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation’s undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. Virginia submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements.

Zitat: Die amerikanische Ingalls Shipbuilding hat einen Auftrag für den Bau drei weiterer amphibischer Landungsschiffe der San-Antonio-Klasse bei einer gleichzeitigen Modifikation des Vertrages für das nächste Hubschrauber-Landungsschiff der America-Klasse erhalten. Nach Angaben des Unternehmens ist dies das erste kombinierte Beschaffungsvorhaben seiner Art für amphibische Schiffe und hat einen Gesamtwert von 9,6 Milliarden US-Dollar. Gegenstand sind der Bau von LPD-33, -34 und -35 für das Haushaltsjahr 2027 sowie von LHA-10 USS Helmand Province.[Bei den ersten drei handelt es sich um Landing Platforms Dock von Flight II der San-Antonio-Klasse. Erst kürzlich hatte die letzte von 13 Flight-I-Einheiten die Ingalls-Werft in Pascagoula, Mississippi, verlassen (Soldat & Technik berichtete). Zwei Schiffe von Flight II – USS Harrisburg (LPD-30) und USS Pittsburgh (LPD-31) – befinden sich bereits im Bau. Für USS Philadelphia (LPD-32) erhielt das Unternehmen im März 2023 ebenfalls eine Vertragsmodifikation betreffend Designdetails und Konstruktion.

Zitat:Navy Extending Service Lives of 12 Flight I Arleigh Burke Destroyers

Twelve Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers will remain in the fleet past their initial service lives, the Navy announced on Thursday. The life extensions for the Flight I destroyers range from one to five years, depending on the ship, according to a list of the chosen destroyers reviewed by USNI News.

“The decision, based upon a hull-by-hull evaluation of ship material condition, combat capability, technical feasibility and lifecycle maintenance requirements, will result in an additional 48 ship-years of cumulative ship service life in the 2028 to 2035 timeframe,” reads a Thursday news release from the service. “The Navy has proposed DDG service life extension funding in the FY26 budget request, and will update the shipbuilding plan accordingly.”