The U.S. Navy's Amphibious Warship USS Portland Will Be Testing A Prototype Laser In 2018

By: PIBtech on 08:00 / comment : 0 lasers, U.S. navy

Popular Mechanics: America’s Newest Amphibious Ship Is Getting a Laser Weapon

The Portland is getting a laser just in time to show off at RIMPAC 2018

The U.S.'s latest amphibious ship is getting a laser weapon just in time to show off at the 2018 Rim of the Pacific wargames. The USS Portland, which will function as the flagship for the multinational military exercises, is set to receive the latest version of the Navy’s Laser Weapon System. The new weapon will likely make an impression on visiting sailors—especially those from China—that also participate in the exercises.

The USS Portland, a San Antonio-class landing platform, dock ship is set to enter service with the U.S. Navy in April. US Naval Institute News reports the Navy is installing the next generation version of its Laser Weapon System (LaWS) on the ship. The Portland will receive LaWS just as it is scheduled to deploy as the flagship of the 2018 Rim of the Pacific

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Amphibious warship USS Portland set to get radical laser weapon in historic Navy test -- Daily Mail
US Navy’s next amphibious warship to get laser weapon -- Defense News
LPD Portland Will Host ONR Laser Weapon Demonstrator, Serve as RIMPAC 2018 Flagship -- USNI News
The Navy's USS Portland will test a prototype laser -- We Are the Mighty
US Navy bolting LASER WEAPON onto lead warship for futuristic warfare -- Daily Star
‘We’re very excited’: US Navy to test warship laser weapon -- RT

The U.S. Navy's New Frigates Will Cost $950 Million Per Hull

By: PIBtech on 04:00 / comment : 0 U.S. navy

USNI News: NAVSEA: New Navy Frigate Could Cost $950M Per Hull

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s new class of 20 guided-missile frigates could cost an estimated $950 million per hull, the Naval Sea Systems Command FFG(X) program manager said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Surface Navy Association 2018 symposium, NAVSEA’s Regan Campbell said the new class of small surface combatant would set a so-called threshold requirement for a net average cost of $950 million for the second through 20th hulls in the FFG(X) next-generation frigate program following a downselect to a single shipbuilder in 2020. The lead ship in the class is expected to cost more than the $950-million average.

In comparison, a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG-51) costs about $1.8 billion to build and equip with sensors and weapon systems.

That frigate number is also above the $588-million per-hull cost of the existing Lockheed Martin Freedom-class (LCS-1) and Austal USA Independence-class (LCS-2) Littoral Combat Ships slated for the Fiscal Year 2018 budget.

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WNU Editor:  Any bets that this $950 million cost per hull is probably at the low-end on what this ship is going to eventually cost.