As the Navy seeks to build its next aircraft carrier in less time and for less money, program officials are working with the Newport News Shipbuilding staff near Norfolk, VA, to sift through a slew of ideas to boost efficiency.762 words

Sequestration fears are prompting the Navy to aggressively push for savings in the P-8A Poseidon aircraft program to preserve as many aircraft as possible should it happen, according to an industry source.523 words

Program executive officers for ships, submarines and aircraft carriers are in the "formulation stage" of planning an effort to work across programs to more affordably procure common items, such as air-conditioning plants or welding labor.483 words

The Navy could release a request for proposals for the third block of a next-generation surface electronic warfare system "any day" now as the program gears up to begin production of the second block this fall, the program manager told Inside the Navy last week.561 words

The Navy has formally established the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Romania as part of the Obama administration's Phased Adaptive Approach to ballistic missile defense in Europe, according to an Aug. 14 memo from the office of the chief of naval operations. The memo, which stems from the Romanian Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement signed last September, establishes a subject shore command effective Oct. 1, complete with a commanding officer. The Navy hopes to install an Aegis Ashore site in Romania by 2015 and a site in Poland by 2018.88 words

The Office of Naval Research is accepting bids though Oct. 16 for its newly created solid-state laser technology maturation program following the release of its broad agency announcement on Aug. 14 for a weapon system that could be used on destroyers and the Littoral Combat Ship.491 words

The House Appropriations Committee denied the Navy's request to transfer $100 million to begin funding repairs for the attack submarine Miami (SSN-755), which was badly damaged in a May 23 arson, but the panel "reluctantly" agreed to reprogram $220 million in current year funding for repairs to the vessel, according to documents obtained by InsideDefense.com.496 words

The Pentagon has signed an acquisition decision memorandum on the long-awaited VXX presidential helicopter program, and the new effort -- still many years from reaching the field -- will place a premium on affordability, Navy spokeswoman Capt. Cate Mueller said Aug. 16.294 words

Several Navy organizations are investigating how much damage was done to the guided-missile destroyer Porter (DDG-78) when it collided with a Japanese-owned, Panamanian-flagged bulk oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 12, and therefore whether it can continue to fill its mission for the U.S. Central Command.544 words

The Navy announced plans to base 51 V-22 Osprey tiltrotors and H-1 helicopters in Hawaii to support III Marine Expeditionary Force, according to an Aug. 15 notice in the Federal Register.281 words

The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program is gearing up for a test event this quarter that will mark the first time Aegis, Patriot and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense systems have performed together, according to a Lockheed Martin executive.472 words

BALTIMORE, MD -- The Marine Corps is creating a direct support company specifically for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, which will act as an offensive cyber capability, a top service official said during an Aug. 15 cyber conference.359 words

The Navy does not agree with the Senate Armed Services Committee's recommendation to establish open architecture innovation centers, but the service does plan to implement an innovation initiative, according to a report signed by Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.334 words

The Pentagon's Air-Sea Battle initiative is having a bigger impact on military investment plans compared to a year ago, sparking the acceleration of key programs to counter emerging threats in the fiscal year 2014 long-term budget process, according to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert.737 words

BALTIMORE, MD -- Fiscal constraints are throwing a wrench in the Marine Corps' information technology plans, which include a mobile plan and a virtual desktop infrastructure plan, according to a service official. 352 words

The Office of Naval Research is seeking industry input to solve "critical deficiencies" in selecting, training and equipping drone operators, especially those that control larger unmanned aircraft systems.659 words

Just weeks after taking over a new program office to oversee procurement and construction of future aircraft carriers, Capt. Doug Oglesby said his new office is well-positioned to smoothly transition into serial production.937 words

Although House appropriators made funding the development of a dry combat submersible a priority, adding $35 million to the Defense Department's request, Senate appropriators disagreed, setting up a conference issue.314 words

Japan should tighten ties with the Pentagon, boost surveillance of the South China Sea and be prepared to deploy minesweepers to the Middle East if Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report released Aug. 15 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.758 words

House authorizers have criticized the Defense Department for using the omnibus reprogramming request to cover the $1.5 billion fuel shortfall but approved the request nonetheless.350 words

A fatal MV-22 Osprey crash in Morocco this past spring was due largely to pilots' mistakes, but wind was also a key factor, according to a Marine Corps investigation report, which recommends no disciplinary action against the pilots and concludes the aircraft's flight manual had inadequate guidance for the circumstances involved.547 words