DoD approves Navy to puchase 52 LCS and SSC Ships

The Department of Defense has approved the acquisition of 52 LCS and SSC ships by the Navy.  This final number provides the Navy with 20 additional vessels, compared to 32 ships approved in prior contract negotiations.   

In a statement released by the Department of Defense, Secretary Hagel wrote: “After rigorous review and analysis, today I accepted the Navy's recommendation to build a new small surface combatant (SSC) ship based on upgraded variants of the LCS. The new SSC will offer improvements in ship lethality and survivability, delivering enhanced naval combat performance at an affordable price.” 

Read more on this article on the Department of Defense website: http://1.usa.gov/1vIQrlc

ADM Michelle J. Howard, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations is now confirmed to participate in the Town Hall Session: "What are the Sea Service Leaders' Priorities?" at WEST 2015

ADM Michelle J. Howard, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations is now confirmed to participate in the Town Hall Session: "What are the Sea Service Leaders' Priorities?" at WEST 2015.

Admiral Howard is a 1978 graduate of Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1982 and from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1998, with a Masters in Military Arts and Sciences.

Howard’s initial sea tours were aboard USS Hunley (AS 31) and USS Lexington (AVT 16). While serving on board Lexington, she received the secretary of the Navy/Navy League Captain Winifred Collins award in May 1987. This award is given to one woman officer a year for outstanding leadership. She reported to USS Mount Hood (AE 29) as chief engineer in 1990 and served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She assumed duties as first lieutenant on board the USS Flint (AE 32) in July 1992. In January 1996, she became the executive officer of USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and deployed to the Adriatic in support of Operation Joint Endeavor, a peacekeeping effort in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Sixty days after returning from the Mediterranean deployment, Tortuga departed on a West African training cruise, where the ship’s Sailors, with embarked Marines and U.S. Coast Guard detachment, operated with the naval services of seven African nations.
Read More...

About WEST
 
WEST is the premier Sea Services event focused on operations & strategy in the Asia-Pacific region - showcasing emerging systems, platforms, technologies and networks that will impact all areas of current and future Sea Service operations. Senior leaders will address the theme “Strategy, Budget and Resources Mismatch: Do We Pay More or Promise Less?” Many related technical sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs) and training credits. Industry will showcase and discuss emerging technologies and equipment that will impact all areas of future Sea Service operations. Now in its 25th year, WEST 2015 is co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, both non-profit, non-lobbying membership associations. More about WEST...