U.S. Naval Institute’s Post

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 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

For more than a decade, the US Navy has considered the former aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) no longer operational. In fact, since 2018, the 1,101-foot behemoth has been mostly floating pier side in Newport News, Va., awaiting final dismantlement and disposal. Its decommissioning, inactivation and disposal has been a prolonged and complicated affair due to its unique status as the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. For Breaking Defense, I dive into what has kept the ship waiting in limbo for so long, report a new development not yet announced by the Navy and talk to experts about how the service's choices now could set precedents for the coming decades.

The antipodeans Sir Ernest Rutherford "father of nuclear physics" and Sir Mark Oliphant, "Opposer of the fission bomb" were the first experimental demonstrators of nuclear fusion. Why then are the Australian Government and the Federal Opposition not working to get it developed in Australia and bring it back home? New Zealand has, so why not Australia? Interesting articles about Nuclear and I know you haven't looked at Fusion. So let's look at the nuclear or Fission option versus Fusion 1. Fission (Nuclear) Not able to be licenced. https://lnkd.in/gbm2t5uU 2. Authorities have the power to grant licenses for fusion, which is not explicitly covered by the Nuclear Act or the ARPANSA definition. https://lnkd.in/gjKFABpy The above ARPANSA link defines nuclear as fission—no mention of Fusion. 3. A fission (Nuclear)reactor without fissile fuel is a building. 4. A fusion reactor without fissile fuel is a fusion reactor building 5, Fissile (Nuclear) fuel availability and the future cost is a concern, especially for economists and users Dittmar, M. (2011). The End of Cheap Uranium. ArXiv. /abs/1106.3617 Even the UN has identified this, so why does the Fission(Nuclear) industry persist in denying its death like fossil fuels https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr 6. Should the focus in Australia be on nuclear fission advancement or the promotion of fusion technology? 7, Fission (Nuclear) is only at present in 39 countries out of 189. 8. Is Dutton doing a Menzies and wanting a loophole to get fission (Nuclear) weapons to start with for the subs? 9. Australia still has no high-level radiation waste storage facility 10. Helion Fusion has committed to having its fusion version working in 2028 11. The FIA (Fusion Industry Association) has postulated that commercial power fusion will be available in the 2030s. 12. In its fusion conference report in 2023, the IAEA postulated that all International nuclear (Fission) Laws like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty do not consider fusion, so it seems it can be built in Australia now. 13. Fusion is also being developed "Small Modular Fusion Reactors" like Zap Energy and Avalanche Energy. 14. HB11 and the UNSW Tokamak project have positioned Australia prominently in the trillion-dollar international fusion industry. Instead of relying on fission with a limited lifetime, wouldn't it be preferable to support Australian renewables, batteries, and hydrogen energy generators and back them up with a fusion power plant? This would eliminate the traditional waste problem while still providing medical isotopes and advancements in medical technology like MRIs. Let's focus on creating a sustainable future for Australia instead of perpetuating pollution and leading to an energy crisis. https://lnkd.in/ekakyifA

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

Invest Building Fusion energy, space and maritime propulsion systems, Your talk is Nuclear (meaning Fission) and fails to discuss fusion. https://lnkd.in/ge_aeX7M The nuclear fission industry is, ignorant of what's happening around you. Pull your uranium heads out, start adjusting your industry to fusion energy and start preparing to enter the commercially growing fusion energy industry. As it dawns on Earth like the sun. Great Headline Guardian on Nuclear fission. https://lnkd.in/g8sMZtpR Fission is moving towards obsolescence at an accelerated pace, as it is "out of step, out of time, out of place," and merely a temporary industry globally. https://lnkd.in/gbd_mZqk Commercial fusion electrical generation is a promising innovative sustainable and clean energy method. By 2028, Helion is expected to start producing electricity from its first fusion commercial power plant, which will provide electricity to Microsoft. The plant will produce at least 50 MWe after an initial ramp-up period. https://lnkd.in/gY9J3MQY Now see what news is happening in the Fusion industry in the world. https://lnkd.in/g9hMBD7a As fission trebles, fission fuel shortage is increasingly real, as linked below. https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr

“(The US) Navy currently has a backlog of SM-2s ready for recertification. These assets are in the inventory, but are non-combat usable (i.e. not available to fill VLS cells for combat) until they are recertified.” It’s not just about having the missiles. It’s also about maintain and sustaining them. The development of Australian missile capability is about local production, but it’s also about local support. They are different sides of the same coin. Whilst there may be some constraints on SME involvement in production, there is certainly opportunities in support and sustainment. What do you have to offer to the GWEO programs supporting legacy or new systems entering service in coming years ?

Secretary Rumsfeld was maligned for saying so, but he was right--"You go got war with the army you have, not the army you wish you had." I applaud the Navy for focusing on the rifle in the face instead of trying solely to fight tomorrow's wars. They--and the DoD writ large--are responsible for both. The United States Air Force should take note instead of cutting forces wholesale to buy tech that won't be ready to fight for at least a decade (I'm not a pessimist, but a realist with DoD acquisition experience). US Congress should also set aside their partisan bickering to at least execute their biggest responsibility--the funding of National Defense and for a moment not think solely about what is built in their own district. #dod #dodacquisition #defenseindustry #defensecapacity

A fair warning from Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles that neglecting the upgrades of the RAN's Collins-class submarines would compromise the nation's defence capabilities and leave a significant vulnerability in national security. As a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, Australia must maintain a robust defence capability and ensure that its military assets are modernised and capable of meeting emerging threats. In a region marked by rapid military advancements and heightened competition, Australia cannot risk lagging behind. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g_WptRTx #DefenceIndustry #DefenceCapability #DefencePartnership #IndustryEngagement #Strategy #DefenceInnovation

Send me all of your unfunded lists and let’s get them obligated asap! I can support all of these top unfunded requirements and more. Once funding drops, your requirements will be at the top of the stack as they will remain obligated until the funds are submitted. Should funding be rerouted, you simply cancel the requirement and resubmit at a later date. I am standing by to brief you on our full capabilities and to assist with any and all procurement needs! #navy #navyrequirements #procurement #procurementsolutions #governmentcontrating #contractingsolutions