Saildrone Names Former Vice Admiral as its New President
Maritime defense and oceanographic survey company Saildrone has appointed Vice Admiral John Mustin as its President, who will focus on growing the defense business.In his role, Mustin will work alongside Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO.Mustin joins Saildrone following a distinguished 34-year career in the U.S. Navy. He most recently served as the 15th Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, where he led approximately 60,000 Reserve Component personnel supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint forces operations worldwide.“John Mustin brings a truly unique blend of naval
Chad Cary to Lead NOAA Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
and expertise to support NOAA Fisheries, NOAA’s National Weather Service and NOAA headquarters.“I am grateful for this opportunity to continue serving the nation alongside our highly skilled and dedicated workforce,” said Cary. “I would also like to thank my predecessor, Vice Admiral (select) Nancy Hann, for her vision, courageous leadership and service to the nation.”Cary was born and raised in Alaska. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis in marine sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before joining the
NOAA Promotes Nancy Hann to Deputy Under Secretary
NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Rear Adm. Nancy A. Hann has been selected for promotion to the rank of vice admiral and will serve as NOAA’s deputy under secretary for operations, beginning August 2024. Since 2021, Hann has served as director of the NOAA Corps and NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).In her new role as deputy under secretary for operations, Hann will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency's national and international operations for oceanic and atmospheric services, research and coastal and marine stewardship.“Vice Adm. (select) Hann
U.S. Revives Cold War Submarine Spy Program to Counter China
in October 2022.China’s rise as a naval rival, and Ukraine’s effective harassment of Russia's Black Sea fleet with drones, have renewed the U.S. military’s focus on ocean surveillance in a fast-changing maritime environment, according to Phillip Sawyer, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral and former head of the submarine forces in the Pacific.“It has given us a sense of urgency that perhaps was lacking in the ’90s and the early 2000s,” said Sawyer, now the Undersea Warfare Chair at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.Adding to that urgency: the
Electric Boat Lays Keel for Submarine Tang (SSN 805)
remarkable machines, and each one of us comes to work every day knowing the safety of our sailors depends on the work we do."The ship's sponsor, Mimi Donnelly, is the daughter-in-law, wife and mother of U.S. Navy submariners. She was accompanied at the ceremonies by her husband, retired Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly.Speaking to the audience of Navy personnel, invited guests and Electric Boat employees, Donnelly expressed her appreciation for the technical expertise and exacting standards required to construct a Navy submarine."As the wife and mother of submariners, when my loved ones went
Uncrewed Boats Are Changing the Way Wars Are Fought at Sea
conditions, without any risk of injury or human error.If armed, they are able to strike targets at the push of a button. And if armed with artificial intelligence (AI) enabled weapons, they are able to identify, acquire and engage targets without any human oversight – and at much greater speeds. Vice-admiral Roy Kitchener, the commander of US naval surface forces, commented in December 2022 that USVs would be a “catalyst for innovation” in the US Pacific fleet, adding that: “The implementation of unmanned systems will increase decision speed and lethality to enhance our warfighting
UK Navy Buys Mine-hunting ‘Mother Ship’
Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) system, the Combined Influence Sweep (SWEEP) system and Medium Underwater Autonomous Vehicles (MAUVs).The purchase of the £40 million ship was carried out by Defense Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the MOD.DE&S Director General Ships, Vice Admiral Paul Marshall, said, “Our team undertook extensive research and market analysis to identify a vessel for the Royal Navy that would meet the vital capability it needs, and could be delivered at pace whilst also provide value for money to the taxpayer.”“The result of that agile
Does Australia Need ‘Interim’ Submarines to Tide It Over Until Nuclear Boats Arrive?
one key individual who questioned whether the choice is appropriate for Australia’s defense needs (at least in the short to medium term).One particularly controversial point is the time it will take for the nuclear submarines to become operational. Most estimates indicate they won’t enter service until the 2040s.The Australian Industry Defense Network is now calling for an “interim submarine” class to be purchased to plug the gap. But what would this even look like?Why are there calls for an interim submarine?In its contract with France, Australia intended to purchase up to 12
US Eyes 100-strong Mideast Sea Drone Fleet
Sanctions-hit Iran denied accusations of responsibility.Last year the U.S. Navy established a new task force to integrate drone systems and artificial intelligence into the maritime operations of its Bahrain-stationed Fifth Fleet."We are at the cusp of an unmanned technological revolution," Vice Admiral Brad Cooper told a defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, where he unveiled plans for the joint fleet."By the summer of next year, 100 advanced unmanned surface vessels would be patrolling the waters around this region."Cooper said the United States would join with Middle East allies whose
December 2025
