DefenseNews

Navy changing LCS maintenance and staffing practices

As the Navy seeks to improve the self-sufficiency of its littoral combat ships, the service is moving to have sailors conduct nearly all the maintenance for the vessels in the near future, according to Navy officials. The LCS fleet was originally envisioned as having a small crew, and the Navy would partner with contractors to fulfill nearly all of the ships’ maintenance needs. But like much…
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DefenseNews

US Navy sees improved upkeep as hedge against strategic submarine dip

ARLINGTON, Va. — “It’s counterintuitive,” the head of U.S. submarine forces acknowledges, but the Navy’s ballistic missile submarine force is spending more time operating at sea while also seeing better material readiness rates. The trend is encouraging, submarine leaders say, because an upcoming dip in the size of the fleet will mean these SSBNs will have to stay at sea longer and spend…
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DefenseNews

US Air Force may remove 105mm cannon from AC-130 gunship

WASHINGTON — The days of the AC-130J Ghostrider’s hefty 105mm cannon may be numbered. U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command confirmed to Defense News it is considering removing this howitzer-sized weapon, used to carry out punishing strikes on ground targets, from…
DefenseNews

Lockheed to upgrade Chilean Air Force’s F-16 jets

SANTIAGO, Chile — Lockheed Martin will upgrade 36 operational F-16 fighter jets with the Chilean Air Force under a $177 million contract, the Pentagon announced. The deal, unveiled Oct. 31, will see those F-16AM/BM Block 15/20 MLU aircraft modified to the M6.6 standard. A Lockheed spokesperson told Defense News the program will provide an advanced identification friend or foe capability and the…
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DefenseNews

Senate finally confirms Adm. Franchetti as Navy’s top officer

The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Adm. Lisa Franchetti as the Navy’s 33rd chief of naval operations, ending a months-long delay caused by Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s ongoing blockade of military nominations that he began in protest of Defense Department abortion access policies. Franchetti became not only the first woman to serve as the Navy’s top officer, but the first to serve on the Joint…
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