The Newport News Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries broke ground for its new Joint Manufacturing Assembly Facility (JMAF) on 22 June.
The JMAF will support submarine and aircraft carrier construction and is set to open in 2017. The first phases of the facility will have production bays to facilitate the shipyard in completing its current contracts for the Virginia-class submarine and Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carrier.
Once complete, the JMAF will have multiple worksites, heavyweight cranes, automated equipment, specialty paint bays and large transportation doors. It will support existing and future production work on submarines and aircraft carriers.
Matt Mulherin, president, Newport News Shipbuilding, said: 'We aren’t just breaking ground on a new facility, we’re breaking the mould on how we build aircraft carriers and submarines. The improvements will increase productivity and efficiency, all while driving down overall cost and ensuring schedule performance.'
The Philippines has turned to regional neighbours Japan and South Korea in a effort to boost its naval fleet with new and ex-Japanese ships. The bonds between the countries is an acknowledgment of the rising power of China and the continued manoeuvres of the Asian giant throughout the region.
The NAVSEA is carrying out market research and will conduct industry days in August to identify potential providers for the DDG MOD 2.0 stage.
The US Pentagon Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) will award OTAs for small and medium affordable uncrewed underwater vehicles. Companies can submit their solution until 24 July.
Available until 2030, the funding supports multiple efforts, including Columbia and Virginia-class submarines, Arleigh-class destroyers and Ford-class carriers.
The Naval Air Systems Command recently issued notices outlining the upcoming phases of the Tomahawk and Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) upgrades as well as the Harpoon Weapon Service (HWS) Life Extension Programme (LEP).
Forming part of the Reconciliation Bill, the funding will support multiple efforts involving autonomous capabilities, interceptors, missiles, rockets and torpedoes.
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