Latest news with #USNavy
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Seaborne scare: how Israel-Iran war put global shipping on alert
Sometime in early 1988, while the nine-year war between Iran and Iraq was still raging, veteran British publisher Abdullah Jonathan Wallace paid a visit to his old friend, Bahrain's information minister Tariq Almoayed. As they drove out of Manama to Tariq's home on another island in Bahrain 's archipelago, Wallace looked seaward and was shocked to see a task force of US Navy ships moored in the Persian Gulf. 'Tariq! Look! Ships!' Wallace excitedly said to the Bahraini minister. Almoayed, who was driving, kept his eyes firmly fixed on the road. 'Ships? I see no ships,' he replied, giving Wallace an unforgettable anecdote to later relate to his Middle East team at the United Press International news agency, which included this reporter. That unprecedented deployment of US Navy ships in the territorial waters of a Gulf monarchy was in preparation for Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval assets.
Sustainability Times
9 hours ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'US Navy Breaks the Silence': World's First Reusable Underwater Spy Robot Deployed on Nuclear Submarine
IN A NUTSHELL 🔍 The US Navy has successfully deployed and recovered the world's first reusable spy robot, the Yellow Moray , from a nuclear submarine. , from a nuclear submarine. 🤖 This achievement marks a significant advancement in naval technology, allowing submarines to extend capabilities using robotic systems without risking human lives. without risking human lives. 🌊 The Yellow Moray autonomously conducted missions lasting 6 to 10 hours, proving the Navy's ability to use unmanned systems multiple times in one deployment. autonomously conducted missions lasting 6 to 10 hours, proving the Navy's ability to use unmanned systems multiple times in one deployment. ⚓ This operation underscores the strategic importance of robotic systems in future undersea missions, offering more options while minimizing risks to sailors. In a groundbreaking advancement for naval operations, the US Navy has successfully integrated unmanned technology into its submarine missions. This significant achievement involves the deployment and recovery of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) from a nuclear-powered submarine. The USS Delaware, a Virginia-class attack submarine, served as the platform for this innovative operation. Known as the Yellow Moray, this reusable spy robot marks a pivotal moment in undersea warfare, demonstrating the Navy's commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities while minimizing risks to personnel. This article delves into the details of this milestone mission, exploring the implications and future potential of such technology in military applications. World's First Reusable Spy Robot for Submarines The recent mission took place in the US European Command (EUCOM) area of operations and featured the Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791). This successful test signifies a formidable leap in naval technology, as submarines can now enhance their capabilities using robotic systems without endangering divers or crew members. The Yellow Moray is based on the REMUS 600, a well-established UUV design used for various underwater missions, including seafloor mapping and intelligence gathering. This torpedo-shaped robot can autonomously carry out missions, operating independently of human control once launched. During this deployment, the USS Delaware launched and recovered the Yellow Moray robot three times, with each mission lasting between 6 and 10 hours. All operations utilized the submarine's torpedo tube, a traditional launch system for torpedoes. This operation demonstrated the Navy's capacity to use the same UUV multiple times in one deployment, enabling the execution of missions in areas too shallow or hazardous for submarines. Moreover, the elimination of divers in launching and recovery processes further underscores the Navy's ability to conduct safe and efficient operations with minimal human involvement. Spy and Return in Secret This mission illustrates the US Navy's readiness to integrate manned submarines with advanced robotic systems in real-world scenarios. These robotic vehicles can access areas deemed risky or impossible for submarines, undertaking missions that are either too mundane or dangerous for human personnel. Tasks such as scanning the seabed for mines, conducting surveillance, or scouting enemy waters can now be performed more effectively. 'This capability allows us to extend our reach,' stated Vice Admiral Rob Gaucher, Commander of Submarine Forces. 'The Yellow Moray reduces risk to our submarines and divers by handling dull, dirty, and dangerous missions.' The initial tests weren't without challenges. During early trials in a Norwegian fjord, the Yellow Moray failed to return to the torpedo tube due to a damaged part. Despite this setback, the Navy swiftly adapted by repairing the robot and resuming successful operations from the USS Delaware. This adaptability highlights the Navy's ability to maintain flexibility and mobility in future operations, emphasizing the strategic importance of robotic systems in future undersea missions. Technological Adaptation and Future Prospects The Navy's ability to quickly diagnose and repair the Yellow Moray underlines the importance of technological resilience in military operations. Technicians identified the damaged component and returned the robot to the US for necessary repairs. Post-repair, the robot was flown back to Europe and successfully launched and recovered in subsequent missions from the USS Delaware. This swift adaptation ensures that missions remain on schedule, demonstrating the Navy's readiness to overcome obstacles and maintain operational integrity. In a notable first, Navy divers loaded the Yellow Moray into the submarine via the torpedo tube while docked in Norway, proving that future missions could remain flexible and adaptable. The Navy's commitment to equipping more submarines with robotic systems like the Yellow Moray signifies a shift towards a more autonomous and resilient naval force. This mission reinforces the notion that the future of submarine warfare is not only underwater but also robotic, offering commanders expanded operational options while minimizing risks to sailors. Implications for Future Naval Warfare The integration of robotic systems into naval operations presents significant implications for the future of warfare. The ability to deploy and recover UUVs like the Yellow Moray from submarines enhances the Navy's strategic capabilities, providing commanders with a versatile tool for diverse missions. This technology also opens new avenues for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, allowing the Navy to operate in previously inaccessible or high-risk areas. The Yellow Moray's success suggests that future naval missions will increasingly rely on robotic and autonomous systems to undertake tasks that are too dangerous or impractical for humans. As the Navy continues to develop and integrate these technologies, it will inevitably reshape the landscape of undersea warfare. This evolution raises an intriguing question: How will the continued advancement of robotic technology redefine the boundaries of naval operations in the coming decades? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (25)
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Hegseth unveils new name of USNS Harvey Milk
The US Navy has officially changed the name of its ship honoring slain gay-rights icon Harvey Milk to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson in commemoration of the WWII Medal of Honor recipient. 'We are taking the politics out of ship naming. We're not renaming the ship to anything political, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a video address. 'This is not about political activists, unlike the previous administration. 'Instead, we're renaming the ship after a United States Navy Congressional Medal of Honor recipient — as it should be,' he said. 'People want to be proud of the ship they're sailing in, and so we're renaming it after a Navy chief.' 4 Oscar V. Peterson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic acts in WWII. USN The USNS Oscar V. Peterson is a replenishment oiler that provides support to carrier strike groups at sea. It was christened in 2021 under the Biden administration for Milk, who served as a sailor during the Korean War but was forced out of the Navy for being gay. 4 Gay-rights icon Harvey Milk served in the US Navy during the Korean War. USN Milk became one of the first openly gay elected officials in American history when he successfully ran to serve on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were both assassinated in 1978 by a disgruntled former city supervisor who opposed the gay-rights activist's push to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations, housing and employment. 4 The USNS Harvey Milk was christened and launched at a ceremony in San Diego in 2021. AFP via Getty Images Meanwhile, Chief Watertender Oscar V. Peterson was posthumously awarded the military's highest award for his service in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Peterson had led a repair party on the USS Neosho, which had been severely damaged by Japanese dive bombers during the attack. With nearly all of his repair party dead or wounded, Peterson, himself gravely wounded, mustered the strength to close the bulkhead stop valves, keeping the ship afloat. He suffered significant burns from his effort that led to his death days later. Peterson was awarded the medal of honor in December of that year. 4 Crewmembers of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force training vessel the JS Kashima wave toward the US Navy oiler during an exercise in the Virginia Capes in September. via REUTERS The decision to rename the ship notably comes at the end of Pride Month, where more LGBTQ festivities are expected in cities such as New York this weekend. Navy Secretary John Phelan issued a memo last month indicating that several ships' names would be reviewed for possible change to help in 'reestablishing the warrior culture' in the Navy. Ships named after judicial trailblazers, civil-rights icons and labor leaders are also on the renaming 'recommended list.' Those vessels reportedly include the USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, USNS Harriet Tubman, USNS Dolores Huerta, USNS Lucy Stone, USNS Cesar Chavez and USNS Medgar Evers.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Dad who fell from Father's Day ferry named as wife fears he'll never be found
US Navy diver Mark Federspiel, 64, fell overboard on a ferry in Scotland on June 15 and with no witnesses to the incident, his family have spoken about their fears The wife of a man who fell overboard from a ferry in Scotland fears she may never find out what happened to her husband. US Navy diver Mark Federspiel plunged into the water while travelling home from Gourock to Dunoon with his wife Annette. They were visiting his 22-year-old daughter Lara on the mainland on Father's Day, June 15, and despite a lengthy search the dad has not been found. The 64-year-old, who was travelling on the Sound of Shuna, was reported missing at around 1pm when he didn't return from the toilet. Distressed Annette raised the alarm just seven minutes later but as there were no cameras on the side of the ferry and no eyewitnesses, what happened remains a mystery. Following the distress call, a major multi-agency search operation was launched, which involved the HM Coastguard helicopter, RNLI lifeboats and nearby vessels, as well as Police Scotland officers, their Dive and Marine Unit and Air Support Unit, the DailyRecord reports. Western Ferries suspended their services while the rescue operation was underway - but the search was later stood down at around 4.30pm on Monday, June 16, with nothing found. The family say they are 'broken' but want answers almost a fortnight on from the harrowing day. Annette says she fears Mark will never be found, as the circumstances around what happened to him remain unclear. Speaking to STV News, Annette said: "All I know for sure is that I came onto the boat with Mark, but I came off it without him. "He has been missing for 12 days now, and the police haven't found a body. An oceanographer is now assisting the effort. They are looking at things like the tide and Mark's weight, with the working assumption that he may end up in the area off Helensburgh. But we might never get him back.' It's understood Mark had been receiving treatment for a rare form of leukaemia, with the side effects of the drugs often leaving him unsteady on his feet. Paying tribute in a post on Facebook, Annette wrote: "My lovely husband. My soul mate, my life. We are broken. A gentleman. Kind, talented hero. We love you we miss you. It was a pleasure to be your wife I was a lucky girl." In another post, she added: "I will never stop looking for you." It's understood Mark and Annette had recently returned to her hometown of Dunoon, after spending years in the United States and were looking forward to their retirement in Scotland. As a US Navy diver, Mark had been responsible for disassembling explosives at sea and was nicknamed 'Mark the Shark' because of his speed. Police Scotland said 'exhaustive' water searches had concluded, but inquiries are continuing. Chief inspector James McArthur said: 'Around 1.40pm on Sunday, June 15, 2025, we received a report of a 64-year-old man missing from a ferry travelling between Gourock and Dunoon. Police and partner agencies, including the Coastguard attended and extensive searches have been carried out on the water and shorelines. Local officers have been assisted by our Dive and Marine Unit and Air Support Unit. 'The water searches have concluded, however, our enquiries remain ongoing and officers are providing support to his family.' A spokesperson for Western Ferries said they have been co-operating fully with the police and emergency services to assist in understanding the circumstances.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
‘Taking politics out': Pentagon drops gay icon's name from USNS Harvey Milk, renames it after WWII hero Oscar V. Peterson
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US Navy will rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship originally named in honour of one of America's first openly gay public officials. The new name, USNS Oscar V. Peterson, pays tribute to a World War II Medal of Honor recipient who died heroically during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Show more Show less
