Phoenix Assists US Navy with Aircraft Recovery in the South China Sea
Phoenix's International (Phoenix) recently assisted the Naval Sea System Command (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) with the successful recovery of an MH-60R helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter aircraft. The two aircraft went down within 30 minutes of each other during routine flight operations off the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in the South China Sea on October 26, 2025. All crew members survived and were rescued.Phoenix personnel traveled to Singapore and mobilized search assets aboard Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel of opportunity (VOO) and recovery assets aboard
HII Delivers Virginia-Class Submarine Massachusetts to US Navy
HII announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has delivered Virginia-class fast-attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) to the U.S. Navy.Massachusetts is the 12th Virginia-class submarine delivered by NNS, and the 25th built as part of the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat. It is the fifth Navy vessel named for the commonwealth of Massachusetts.More than 10,000 shipbuilders from NNS and Electric Boat participated in the construction of Massachusetts, alongside thousands of suppliers across the country, including more than 20 in Massachusetts that support
Lockheed Martin Invests $50M in Saildrone to Advance USV Capabilities for US Navy
;s way. However, any unmanned technology would require extreme range and endurance to transit these very large distances and operate for months or years, in remote areas without service. Harnessing wind, solar, and wave power, we solved the endurance dilemma. However, when I tried to sell to the US Navy in 2014, they were far from convinced. “We have big ships with big guns, how could we possibly use a small, unmanned sailboat?” Undeterred, we pushed on, finding an application in meteorological and ocean measurements (METOCEAN). Ocean and atmospheric measurements are crucial for
Women Navy Divers Meet Same Standards as Men
On March 14, 1975, 22-year-old Californian woman Donna Tobias graduated from the US Navy Second Class Dive School to become the first woman deepsea diver in the Navy.Marking the 50th anniversary of women’s integration into the US Navy Diving community, the Association of Women Navy Divers highlights that over 300 women have now graduated from the Navy’s schools.The society recounts that this happened during a period of immense change brought about by the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment through Congress in 1972. Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt (then Chief of Naval Operations) was instrumental
Blue Water Autonomy Appoints Advisory Board
Boston-based Blue Water Autonomy, a company designing and producing unmanned ships for the U.S. Navy, has formed an Advisory Board whose members include:• RADM (ret.) Tom Anderson, former Program Executive Officer, Ships (PEO Ships)• Stephen Rodriguez, Chairman of Blue Forge Alliance & dual-use investor• Michael Stewart, former Director, Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office and Unmanned Task Force• VADM (ret.) Roy Kitchener, former Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific"As we enter the next phase of growth, this advisory board brings the expertise and leadership we need to
Kongsberg Discovery Acquires Sonatech, Expands in the United States
Kongsberg Discovery announced on June 17 the signing of an agreement to acquire Sonatech, an expert in the field of underwater acoustics.This strategic move will support Kongsberg Discovery’s growth ambitions and enhance access to the U.S. Navy for the company’s product portfolio. The acquisition is expected to close later in 2025, subject to the necessary governmental approvals.With over 50 years of experience, Sonatech is a leading undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing firm supporting U.S. Navy projects in the defense sector. For Kongsberg Discovery, the acquisition of SURF
NUWC Division Newport: $2 Billion Impact on Economy in 2024
Newport had 89 active cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs), 74 collaborative projects with academia and employees published 176 technical papers. Between fiscal years 2020 and 2024, Division Newport employees have generated 162 patented inventions.Division Newport operates under the Navy Working Capital Fund (NWCF) model, which means it receives funds from multiple “customers” to execute tasking within its assigned mission. Those utilizing the NWCF model receive no directly appropriated funding and operate like a nonprofit business with a “customer-provider&rdquo
Undersea Warfighting Development Center Leadership Visits NUWC Division Newport
A constant co-evolution of technology and operational concepts is critical to providing the best warfighting capabilities possible to the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. In support of that mission, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport and the Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC) continue to have a strong working relationship.On March 31, the warfare center welcomed UWDC Commander Rear Adm. Michael R. Van Poots and some of the organization’s senior leaders for a full day of tours and discussions. Van Poots was joined by Dennis Boyer, SES, deputy commander; Capt.
US Navy Divers Get Augmented Vision Display
divers to better operate in inhospitable underwater environments.The Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD) was developed in partnership with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Coda Octopus.Through real-time information sharing, high-resolution imagery and an augmented-reality display, DAVD allows Navy divers to operate more effectively in dark, low-visibility environments.Navy diving missions include deep ocean salvage of vessels and aircraft, underwater rescues, explosive ordnance disposal, ship hull maintenance and recovery of sunken equipment. This often involves working in pitch-black, dangerous
February 2026
