November 18, 2013
Here are the programs that made the biggest news this past week:
10th DDG probably safe — Those who are concerned about sequestration and the continuing resolution threatening the Navy’s plan to buy 10 destroyers over the next five years can probably breathe a sigh of relief. InsideDefense reported last week that several Navy officials have indicated they believe the service will find a way to fund the 10th ship, whether through the appropriations bill or by reprogramming funding.
Next-gen jammer shakeup — In a sudden turn of events for the next-generation jammer program — slated for use on EA-18Gs — the Government Accountability Office upheld BAE Systems’ protest of the award to Raytheon four months ago. BAE had been the sole protester of the award after Northrop declined to join them. According to Defense Daily, Raytheon officials said they expect to prevail despite GAO’s ruling.
F-35 still cruising, offical says — Program officials are saying all’s well with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, with the aircraft set to achieve the current Initial Operational Capability (IOC) targets, a Flightglobal report stated last week. However, the official noted that the Block 2B software required for the Marine Corps jet is running about a month behind schedule due to sequestration and a grounding earlier this year — something that won’t jeopardize the IOC of 2015, he stated.
LHA-6 hits milestone — The Navy’s newest amphib, the USS America (LHA-6), wrapped up builder’s trials recently in the Gulf of Mexico. The next milestone for the ship will be acceptance trials in late January, where the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) will verify manufacturer Huntington Ingalls Industries’ recent successful tests, according to Seapower Magazine.
