Need a syringe or an oil cap? Press "print." The Navy has installed a 3-D printer on an assault ship for just those types of emergencies.The pilot test is aboard the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship. Lt. Ben Kohlmann, a member of the Chief of Naval Operation's Rapid Innovation Cell, is one of the officers responsible for putting the printer in the sailors' hands. He told Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Emily Kopp how the 3-D printer got on board.
Dennis McGinn, assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment, says the pursuit of renewable energy is not just about the Navy "going green." It supports the mission.
Navy says the Defense Production Act and a new partnership with USDA will help it generate several hundred million gallons per year of U.S.-based biofuel. The solicitations it plans to issue over the next year are a key stepping stone to the Navy's goal of getting half its energy from alternative sources by 2020.
The Navy says it will move forward this year to create two new acquisition vehicles to ensure it has a stable supply of advanced biofuels. And as Federal News Radio's DoD reporter Jared Serbu reports, the service says it won't be any more expensive than petroleum products.
Renewable energy is a big priority for the Department of the Navy. The ultimate renewable energy source for a ship at sea is of course seawater. Now the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is making big steps toward using seawater for fuel. Dr. Heather Willauer, research chemist at the Naval Research Laboratory, tells In Depth with Francis Rose what they've found on the path to making seawater fuel the Navy's fleet.
The Naval Air Systems Command's acquisition practices are laden with so much unnecessary costs that its commander worries about its ability to meet its mission to the fleet a few years from now. NAVAIR's commander said it's time to rethink the way it engages the acquisition system and with industry.
The Navy has a unique way it approaches the health and wellness of its sailors. All food aboard ships is developed and approved by a triad of people. The special group consists of an executive chef, a dietitian, and a subject matter expert. Danny King, commander of the Supply Corps for the Navy and director of the Navy Food Service, spoke with Federal Drive Host Emily Kopp at the Sea Air Space Exposition. View photos and listen to more of our interviews from the expo.
The Navy continues to change the way it thinks about energy consumption. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus recently outlined several energy goals for the next six years. They include reducing petroleum used afloat and increasing alternative energy use ashore. Much of the responsibility for that plan falls to Vice Admiral Philip Hart Cullom, the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics. He spoke with Federal Drive Host Emily Kopp at the Sea Air Space Exposition. View photos and listen to more of our interviews from the expo.
On any given day, the Department of the Navy is the size of the largest two or three companies in the United States. With hundreds of thousands of people and a network of installations and other assets worldwide, it's a real challenge to manage. Right now, that job falls to Adm. Jonathan Greenert, the chief of Naval Operations. He spoke with Federal Drive co-host Emily Kopp at the Sea Air Space Exposition. View photos and listen to more of our interviews from the expo.
The Navy is long overdue to move away from its legacy network known as the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet. Now, brass says it intends to move its enterprise IT network onto its new contract, known as NGEN, by the end of September. Listen to Federal News Radio DoD Reporter Jared Serbu's audio report or read Jared's related article .
After dealing with a bid protest, meeting the timeline will require the Navy and its prime vendor to move quickly. The new schedule accelerates the original transition schedule by several months.
The Littoral Combat Ship program is in turmoil as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel sets up a task force to look at alternatives to the LCS. That task force's recommendations could include a modified LCS system, an alternative system or continuing with the LCS as-is. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, heard from leaders across the Navy and Marine Corps. In our Congressional Spotlight, he explains his concerns about the LCS.
The Littoral Combat Ship program is struggling to stay afloat financially. But Congress has another concern. The ships themselves might be easy to sink. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus testified before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee on the Navy's budget request yesterday. Subcommittee member Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.) asked him to explain how this is possible if the LCS is supposed to be the ship of the future.
The hallways of a building at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling echoed with the sounds of gunfire last month as part of a training exercise to help base law enforcement personnel prepare for an active-shooter event.
Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of Naval Operations, is creating a task force to draw up recommendations for alternatives to the Littoral Combat Ship. That program has driven controversy since its inception from both a cost and operational perspective. Retired Vice Adm. Lou Crenshaw, principal of Crenshaw Consulting Associates, discussed the program on In Depth with Francis Rose.