US Navy Flag Officer Assignments

NNS091120-27. Flag Officer Assignments
November 20, 2009

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced Nov. 20 the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Norman R. Hayes will be assigned as director of intelligence, J2, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany. Hayes is currently serving as director, National Security Operations Center, National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Md.

Rear Adm. (lower half) William E. Leigher will be assigned as deputy commander, Fleet Cyber Command/deputy commander, 10th Fleet, Fort George G. Meade, Md. Leigher is currently serving as director, information operations, N3IO/deputy director of Naval Intelligence for Cryptology, N2C, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

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HMS Astute begins sea trials

HMS Astute begins sea trials
16 November 2009

One of the Royal Navy's most technologically advanced submarines has taken to the sea for her first trials and is now heading to her home port of Faslane on the Clyde in Scotland.

The Astute submarine has the latest stealth technology, a world-beating sonar system and is armed with 38 torpedoes and missiles - more than any previous Royal Navy submarine.

The submarine, which can manufacture its own oxygen from sea water to replenish the onboard atmosphere, will be able to circumnavigate the entire globe while submerged and advanced nuclear technology means that she will never need to be refuelled.

The Minister for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Quentin Davies, said:

"This is a significant milestone for Astute as she sails for the first time towards her home port of Faslane.

"The Astute Class of submarines will deliver a step change in capability for defence in terms of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, protecting the deterrent, and providing land attack and intelligence-gathering.

"Astute will now begin a set of sea trials ahead of her full acceptance with the Royal Navy next year.

"I would like to pay tribute to both the MOD and BAE Systems Submarine Solutions staff who have worked so hard to achieve this remarkable feat of engineering."

DE&S's Director Submarines, Rear Admiral Simon Lister, who has overseen the final stages of the submarine production and preparation for sea trials, said:

"Building a nuclear submarine is a huge challenge and demands the highest standards of design, engineering and manufacturing to ensure she can safely perform her demanding duties.

"Submarine building combines a huge variety of elements; sometimes it is more like blacksmithing, manipulating the steel of the hull, and sometimes it is like brain surgery, dealing with advanced technology and performing tasks to an almost unbelievable level of accuracy.

"Astute represents the sum of thousands of individual efforts, and everyone involved in her creation can be proud."

Measuring nearly one hundred metres from bow to stern, Astute is longer than ten London buses and, when fully stored, will displace 7,800 tonnes of sea water, equivalent to 65 blue whales. She is expected to arrive in Faslane later this week.

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Ford Keel Laid for Future Carrier, Class

NNS091116-08. Ford Keel Laid for Future Carrier, Class
November 16, 2009

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- A keel-laying ceremony for the Navy's first Ford-class aircraft carrier, Gerald R. Ford, (CVN 78) was held at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va. Nov. 14.

The ceremony celebrated not only the building of a new class of ship, but the life of the ship's namesake, former President Gerald R. Ford.

Susan Ford Bales, Ford's daughter, was the ship's sponsor. Bales' initials were welded into a metal plate that will be permanently affixed to the ship.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as the ship's sponsor, and on behalf of President Gerald R. Ford," said Bales. "I hereby declare that the shipbuilders of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and their patriotism, and commitment to excellence are and shall forever be truly and fairly part of the spirit of the USS Gerald R. Ford."

Ford-class aircraft carriers have some significant design changes including a larger flight deck, improvements in weapons and material handling, a new propulsion plant design that requires fewer personnel to operate and maintain, and a new smaller island that has been pushed aft.

Technological advances in the field of electromagnetic have led to the development of an electromagnetic aircraft launching system, and an advanced arresting gear. An integrated warfare system has been developed to support flexibility in adapting the infrastructure of the ship to future mission roles.

"These and other changes mean that this carrier, piloted by the Navy officers and crew who will one day sail her into harm's way, will be more capable, more flexible, and better able to protect America and the American way of life," said Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding President Mike Petters.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin served as keynote speaker and distinguished guests in attendance included the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott, Glenn Nye, and the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Adm. Kirkland H. Donald.

On Jan. 3, 2007 an announcement was made that CVN-78, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier would be named after Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States. The ship is scheduled to enter the U.S. Naval Fleet in 2015.

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