‘It’s a very big milestone for the program,’ said Rep. Joe Courtney.
Navy
Posted inPolitics
Trump’s budget cuts funding for Virginia-class subs from two to one
Electric Boat has for more than a decade built two submarines a year, but the president’s budget only calls for one Virginia-class boat.
Posted inEconomic Development
Navy cuts number of EB Virginia-class subs in new contract
Electric Boat wanted the Navy to include 10 subs, and possibly 11, in the so-called “Block 5” contract. But the Navy agreed to only nine.
Posted inEconomic Development, News
Electric Boat facing mounting challenges as sub work ramps up
There continue to be concerns about EB’s ability to build the new Columbia-class submarine alongside its smaller Virginia-class attack subs.
Posted inEconomic Development, News, Politics
Navy picks EB for maintenance work on USS Indiana
WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe.Courtney on Friday said the Navy’s decision to bring the USS Indiana for maintenance at Electric Boat will save as many as 300 jobs at the shipyard.
Posted inNews, Politics
House okays defense bill, but rejects Courtney’s sub bid
Washington – The U.S. House on Thursday rejected Rep. Joe Courtney’s bid to require the Pentagon to spend an additional $1 billion this year for additional Virginia-class submarines made by Electric Boat, a move strongly opposed by the Defense Department. The Pentagon successfully argued that spending more on the Electric Boat-made subs would siphon off funds from other military priorities.
Posted inNews
U.S. House set to settle Courtney dispute with Pentagon over sub production
WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Courtney will go head to head with the Pentagon on Thursday over the number of submarines the Pentagon should buy. “Two subs” Joe wants the Pentagon to increase procurement from two to three in certain years; a top Pentagon official says that would divert money from other programs and opposes the move.
Posted inNews, Politics
White House objects to three-subs-a-year plan
WASHINGTON – The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has objected to a provision in a massive defense bill approved by the House Thursday that would press the Navy to procure two additional Virginia-class subs in 2022 and 2023. The White House said those additional subs, manufactured by Electric Boat, exceeds President Donald Trump’s request for 10 subs, not 12, in the Navy’s next contract with EB.
Posted inPolitics
Jackson, White House doctor and Groton sub base grad, withdraws as VA nominee
WASHINGTON – Embattled Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, White House physician and a graduate of the Navy’s Underseas Medical Officer Program in Groton, on Thursday withdrew as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Posted inPolitics
Congress authorizes big boost in CT defense spending
WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators on Wednesday finished work on a final defense bill that would boost the number of F-35’s requested by President Donald Trump from 70 to 90 and Sikorsky-made Black Hawk helicopters from 45 to 53. The defense bill also authorized billions of dollars for submarines and other weapons systems made in Connecticut and boosts military pay as well as the number of sailors, soldiers and marines.
Posted inPolitics
Senate heads toward political fight over new base closing round
WASHINGTON — The Senate is readying for a showdown over whether the nation needs another round of base closings – a move that could once again put Naval Submarine Base New London on the defensive.
Posted inNews
Navy cites readiness problems during hearing on fatal collisions
WASHINGTON — Navy officials said pressure to increase the number of ships deployed overseas has hurt readiness and training levels, and those problems are getting worse. The officials testified at a congressional hearing on the collisions of two Navy destroyers this summer that claimed the lives of 17 sailors, two from Connecticut.
Posted inNews
Navy: Suffield sailor among missing in USS John McCain collision
WASHINGTON– The U.S. Navy confirmed Thursday that a sailor from Suffield, Petty Officer Dustin Doyon, is among those missing following the USS John S. McCains collision with an oil tanker near Singapore on Monday.
Posted inNews
Navy says sub ramp-up ‘viable’ and desirable
WASHINGTON — The Navy gave Electric Boat good news on Friday with a report that said increasing the production of Virginia-class submarines while the shipyard builds a new Columbia-class ballistic missile sub is “viable” and could save taxpayers money.
Posted inNews
Military ramp-up challenges EB, other CT defense firms to find skilled workers
WASHINGTON — Even before President Donald Trump assumed office, the Navy had big plans for expansion that included new submarine work for Electric Boat. Now the ramp-up has grown, along with the Groton shipyard’s challenge to find enough skilled workers. High demand for Pratt and Whitney aircraft engines is adding to the need for skilled workers.