Stephen Pendergast’s Post

Today in Asia Times, I wrote about the significant challenges the US Navy faces with shipbuilding delays and setbacks. The US Navy has encountered prolonged delays across several critical programs, including submarines, aircraft carriers, and new-class frigates, without a clear roadmap to address these capability gaps. Notably, an internal report quietly noted at a major trade show revealed these setbacks spanning 11 years and are unprecedented in US naval history. I explored the broader implications of these delays on America's naval capabilities. The difficulties in shipbuilding jeopardize the US's ability to project power globally and impact nuclear deterrence and surface warfare capabilities. These setbacks hint at deeper systemic issues, such as underinvestment in shipyards and over-reliance on a dwindling pool of shipbuilders, posing long-term challenges to maintaining a competitive and capable naval force.

The US Navy awarded a contract to start #repair work on a #nuclear attack #submarine that returned from its last #deployment nine years ago, according to a Friday Pentagon contract announcement. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.’s #NewportNews #Shipbuilding won the $1.17 billion contract modification to start the long-overdue #overhaul of Los Angeles-class attack boat USS Boise (SSN-764) at the company’s Virginia yard on the James River. “This contract modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract modification to $1,238,312,189,” reads the announcement. “Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2029.” The yard previously won a contract to gauge the scope of work needed for the overhaul. “The contract covers work that will include #maintenance and restoration of the ship’s hull structure, tanks, #propulsion systems, electric plant, auxiliary systems, #armament and furnishings, as well as numerous ship alterations,” HII said in a statement to #USNI News. #Boise has been the poster child for the #Navy ’s submarine maintenance backlog in its own public #shipyards. The boat was initially set to enter dry dock for the overhaul in Fiscal Year 2016, but there was no room at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Attack boats are the lowest maintenance priority in the four public yards after nuclear-powered #ballisticmissile #submarines and #aircraftcarriers. If those repairs run long, the attack #subs are bumped from the schedule. Bosie was moored at Naval Station Norfolk and eventually lost its dive certification in 2017. The #USNavy instead looked to private new construction yards to chew down the backlog by having those yards take on the repair work the public yards couldn’t get to. The submarine moved to a dry dock at Newport News in May 2020 as part of a contract to determine the scope of work needed to repair the submarine. #mai #marineacoustics Commander, Submarine Forces | Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) #underseawarfare https://lnkd.in/e79CcApQ

Today in Asia Times, I wrote about the US Navy's commitment to expanding its fleet of Ford-class aircraft carriers despite growing concerns about their vulnerability and potential obsolescence. The US Navy has a strategy of buying and building these carriers in pairs, emphasizing their importance in modern naval warfare. The USS Gerald R Ford, the first in this new class, is already operational, with others like the USS John F Kennedy nearing completion. These carriers are integral to America's naval strategy, designed to project power globally, particularly in areas of strategic competition such as the Western Pacific. However, my analysis raises critical questions about the future viability of these massive, nuclear-powered ships. There are increasing challenges, such as China's anti-access/area-denial capabilities and the limitations of the US shipbuilding industry. Additionally, the concept of large traditional warships might be growing obsolete, risking too much capability in a few vulnerable vessels. A radical shift may be necessary towards unmanned platforms and smaller drone carriers, which could offer greater adaptability, reduced crew requirements, and less vulnerability to concentrated attacks. This approach could represent the future of carrier strike groups, embracing distributed lethality and advanced technologies like AI and 3D printing.

Our nation is at an inflection point. How we respond to the tremendous challenges and unprecedented opportunities we face today will determine the direction of our world and impact the security and prosperity of the American people for generations to come. The modernized industrial base we are building is necessary to provide the best submarines for American Sailors, meet US national needs, and support our commitments under AUKUS — our trilateral security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom. Today, April 18, will see for the first time ever three Royal Australian Navy sailors graduate from Submarine Officer Basic Course in Groton, CT. Each will soon be fully integrated into a US Virginia-class submarine to work, train, and operate as part of the crew. These investments will support the AUKUS partnership while increasing the readiness of our own fleet. The United States is dedicated to providing three conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines to Australia beginning in the early 2030s. We shall also fulfill our promise to deepen cooperation with the United Kingdom’s undersea capabilities and further enhance our mutual defense with this generational opportunity. https://lnkd.in/gB-3eaCg

1%, 2%, 5%. Incremental improvements in critical aspects of maintenance planning and execution have an exponential effect on project outcomes. We must invest in the digital transformation of our repair and logistics activities. We must provide those efficiencies that get BOISE and her crew back on the gun line forthwith.

The US Navy’s 25th Virginia-class submarine is launched by HII HII announced that Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) was recently launched into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. Shipbuilders transferred the submarine from a construction facility to the floating dry dock, where it was later submerged and moved by tugboats to a submarine pier at the shipyard for final outfitting, testing and crew certification. “Following the christening of this mighty submarine in May, witnessing Massachusetts launch into the river is a source of immense pride for our shipbuilding team, we understand the importance of Massachusetts, and we will continue to execute with purpose to bring this important national security asset to life and deliver it to the Navy.”  Jason Ward, NNS vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines are built for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions to replace the Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarines as they are retired. Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations that increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth to significantly enhance their warfighting capabilities. These submarines are capable of supporting multiple mission areas and can operate at speeds of more than 25 knots.Massachusetts is the 25th Virginia-class submarine and will be the 12th delivered by NNS, which is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. The post The US Navy’s 25th Virginia-class submarine is launched by HII appeared first on Horizon. https://bit.ly/42P4vCJ

# Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone ## General Dynamics Corp.’s GD Unit, Electric Boat, Secures $349.8M Contract to Support Virginia Class Submarine Program General Dynamics Corp.'s business unit, Electric Boat, has recently secured a modification contract worth $349.8 million from the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. The contract is set to provide long lead time material for supporting the Virginia Class Block VI submarines. This significant award reinforces Electric Boat's expertise and commitment to serving our nation's defense needs. Investors with Health Savings Accounts \(HSAs\) have an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the growth of their funds by investing wisely. By allocating a portion of your HSA funds towards companies like General Dynamics, which consistently secure substantial defense contracts, you can potentially reap long-term financial benefits. Don't let the Fear of Missing Out \(FOMO\) hold you back. Act now to capitalize on the potential investment opportunities in the healthcare and defense sectors. By strategically investing in companies like General Dynamics, you can align your investments with both the growth of the defense industry and the importance of ensuring national security. Investing in your HSA not only helps to grow your wealth but also supports your family's well-being and contributes to the future of healthcare. Take charge of your financial future and leverage the power of investing in areas that matter most to you. #hsa #investing #healthcare #health #family #wellness 💪💰📈🏥👨👩👧👦💼

#Australia 🇦🇺 chose to join Aukus, leading to a potential decade-long gap in submarine capability. The plan to acquire UK 🇬🇧-designed, US 🇺🇸-assisted nuclear-powered #submarines won’t deliver the first vessel until the 2040s, leaving a gap when the Collins-class submarines retire in the 2030s. To address this, Australia plans to acquire 3-5 Virginia-class submarines from the US by 2032. However, this depends on US industrial capacity and political factors, including the possible return of Donald #Trump. Australia has limited leverage over these challenges, and defense projects often run late. #AUKUS🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸

Submarines matter. They are complex, take a long time to build, require tremendous expertise to build, maintain and operate and they are perhaps our greatest strategic edge over all of our adversaries. We have to revitalize Americas shipyards and submarine force. https://lnkd.in/gPd_mKGz

The Polish Ministry of National Defence intends to purchase three new-generation submarines under the "Orka" programme to strengthen its navy. This programme has attracted significant interest from leading global shipbuilders, including South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, which is offering its advanced KSS-III submarine and extensive industry cooperation to Poland.   The “Orka” programme, which aims to acquire three submarines for the Polish Navy, is entering its final stage. According to Polish local media, the contract’s value will exceed EUR 2.5 billion. Hanwha Ocean, a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group—which recently signed significant contracts for K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers and K239 Chunmoo MLRS systems—is offering its state-of-the-art KSS-III submarine to the Polish Navy. However, Hanwha Ocean’s proposal includes not only the submarines but also a long-term industry partnership with Polish defence and naval companies. “We have decades of experience in building modern submarines. Thanks to cooperation with foreign technology partners, we have established world-leading capabilities in submarine construction and are now technologically independent. With decades of experience and technological advancement, we can meet the requirements of naval forces worldwide,” Vice Admiral Steve Jeong, Head of Naval Ship International Business at Hanwha Ocean, told Defence Industry Europe in an interview. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dw_8RBiN #Poland #navy #submarine #KSSIII #SouthKorea #Hanwha #HanwhaOcean #defence #shipbuilding #industry #military #technology