According to the ship’s weapons engineering officer, the assessments demonstrated that HMS Dragon’s combat and sensor systems are functioning as intended, confirming the vessel’s readiness to return to active duty. The trials were designed to validate operational effectiveness ahead of resumed deployments, particularly in air defense roles.

The recent period also allowed the ship’s company to carry out essential maintenance, including defect rectification and routine engineering work. These efforts ensured the vessel remains fully sustainable and prepared for future operations.

With systems verified and maintenance completed, HMS Dragon is now set to return and continue delivering air defense capabilities as part of its operational commitments in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

To remind, the ship departed the UK last month to bolster British defense in the region. The decision to send the Royal Navy assets came as Middle East tensions continue to rise with the Iran conflict. The UK deployed radar systems, air defense, and F-35 stealth fighters, which are already conducting air defense sorties.

Meanwhile, naval helicopter crews have completed six weeks of demanding sorties securing the skies of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. The ‘Crowsnest’ Merlins – which more typically serve with the UK’s two aircraft carriers – have been working seamlessly with the radars of HMS Dragon to provide the aerial picture covering hundreds of square miles of the area.

F-35 Lightning interceptors are also deployed to Cyprus, as well as Wildcats and air defense troops on the ground armed with Martlet missiles. Martlet is designed to take out small aircraft, helicopters and drones, light vehicles on the ground and small boats/craft at sea.

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Bird-Johnson has been the sole provider of the DDG-51’s fully mil-spec compliant, shock-qualified controllable pitch propeller (CPP) systems since the program’s inception.

The company received the first contract for the Arleigh Burke program 40 years ago, setting a world record at that time for CPP power output, with each propeller engineered to withstand 50,000 shaft horsepower (shp).

According to FMD, the success of the Bird-Johnson propeller system on the DDG-51 laid the foundation for other critical Navy platforms to adopt controllable pitch propeller technology, including the LPD San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships and the LHA America-class amphibious assault ships. These ship classes benefit directly from lessons learned over decades of operation, iteration and innovation for the Arleigh Burke program, it was highlighted.

“We are honored to power the U.S. Navy’s flagship destroyer. Receiving the propeller order for the 100th DDG-51 ship is a profound moment for our company,” said Dan Rediger, President of Power and Propulsion.

“Our controllable pitch propeller system has been a cornerstone of the DDG program’s success, and its proven performance has shaped propulsion designs across the fleet. The Arleigh Burke is the backbone and standard-bearer of the U.S. Navy’s surface combatant fleet, and we consider it a privilege to uphold its legacy.”

In addition to supplying advanced propulsion systems for the newest destroyers, FMD remains committed to providing lifecycle support across multiple generations of DDG propellers. This includes sustainment of the original systems Bird-Johnson delivered to the first Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which began entering service on July 4, 1991. 

The teams in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Walpole, Massachusetts, will deliver the original equipment for the new destroyer and sustain it through comprehensive lifecycle services, including on-site technical assistance.

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USS George H.W. Bush was sailing in the Indian Ocean within the US Central Command area of responsibility on April 23, according to the command overseeing US military operations in the Middle East.

In a post on X, CENTCOM shared an image of the carrier, showing its flight deck packed with warplanes.

The navy deployed the carrier strike group into international waters to conduct naval operations in the Middle East, joining USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford.

The George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) employs ships that consist of the flagship USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers: USS Ross (DDG 71), homeported in Norfolk, Va; USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Mason (DDG 87), homeported in Mayport, Fla. Mason is the GHWBCSG air and missile defense commander.

In October 2025, in partnership with AeroVironment and the US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, the US Navy tested a high-energy laser weapon aboard the aircraft carrier. The live-fire test showcased the palletized LOCUST laser system’s ability to neutralize drones.

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As disclosed, the agreement covers the initial phase of collaboration for the development of the rocket booster. AReS is a deployable, surface-launched, extended-range weapon system that provides stand-off strike capability in high-contested and denied environments.  

“In today’s environment of rapidly evolving air and sea threats, advancing weapon systems that ensure dominance for the U.S. and its allies is critical. This MOA with Hanwha reinforces Northrop Grumman’s commitment to collaborating with the Korean industrial base to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that outpace emerging threats,” Frank Morley, vice president, international business development, Northrop Grumman, stated.

“As the battlefield evolves and our adversaries develop advanced capabilities, a strong industrial base is critical to helping the U.S. and its allies deter modern threats. We look forward to continuing our collaboration on AReS in partnership with Northrop Grumman, and leveraging Hanwha’s global industrial scale and advanced manufacturing in this critical effort,” Michael Coulter, chief executive officer, Hanwha Defense USA, added.

Last month, the US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a contract modification for up to nine additional Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 systems. The latest award brings the total number of SEWIP Block 3 units under contract to as many as 24, underscoring the navy’s continued investment in advanced electronic warfare systems designed to counter increasingly sophisticated missile threats.

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The US Navy confirmed the fire on Wednesday, April 22, in a statement to USNI News, noting that an investigation is underway.

The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on April 19, 2026. According to initial reports, the ship’s crew managed to contain and extinguish the fire before local emergency responders were required to assist.

One sailor was taken to a nearby hospital and is reported to be in stable condition, while the other two were treated on site for minor injuries.

Officials are currently working to determine what caused the blaze and to assess any damage to the vessel. No additional details have been released so far.

USS Zumwalt recently completed builder’s sea trials after undergoing a major modernization process. The aim is to turn the destroyer into the US Navy’s first surface combatant capable of firing hypersonic missiles. 

The US Navy formally accepted delivery of USS Zumwalt in April 2020. The ship was constructed by General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works, while Raytheon integrated defense systems served as the prime contractor for the Zumwalt combat system, leading activation and integration activities for the class in both Bath, Maine, and San Diego, California.

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ROMULUS is a modular family of AI-enabled USVs designed to meet current and emerging requirements for the US Navy, US Marine Corps, joint forces, and allied partners.

The platform supports a wide range of missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, strike operations, counter-unmanned systems, and the launch and recovery of unmanned underwater and aerial vehicles.

Engineered for serial, repeatable production, ROMULUS vessels combine endurance, global reach, and modular adaptability, according to Lockheed Martin. The family is designed to scale across multiple vessel sizes while maintaining a common manufacturing approach and autonomy baseline.

“ROMULUS represents a shift in how we deliver unmanned capability to the fleet,” said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of HII’s Mission Technologies division.

“We are combining shipbuilding experience, scalable manufacturing, proven autonomy, and strong industry partnerships to move quickly from prototype to operational deployment. The progress we are seeing today — including these initial production vessels — reinforces that we are on a disciplined path to deliver meaningful capability at speed and at scale.”

The ROMULUS program is supported by HII’s expanding unmanned vessel production ecosystem, including its assembly facility at Breaux Brothers Enterprises and the High-Yield Production Robotics (HYPR) initiative. Together, these efforts are designed to transition unmanned vessel production from prototype builds to high-rate, digitally enabled manufacturing.

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The US government awarded Lockheed Martin a multi-million-dollar contract to continue munitions acceleration efforts and deliver a record number of PAC-3 MSE interceptors in 2026. This contract builds on the framework agreement Lockheed Martin signed with the US Department of War to rapidly accelerate the production and delivery of PAC-3 MSE in support of the Arsenal of Freedom.  

PAC-3 MSE features a hit-to-kill technology that delivers exponentially more kinetic energy on the target than can be achieved with blast fragmentation mechanisms. According to Lockheed, the system is combat-proven against ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as hypersonic and airborne threats. It is already used by the US Army and 16 partner nations.

“By integrating PAC‑3 MSE’s capabilities into Aegis, the Navy is taking a decisive step forward in defending America’s fleet and our global interests against the most advanced threats,” said Jason Reynolds, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin IAMD.

“Lockheed Martin is driving the innovation behind this effort—bringing together advanced, combat‑proven systems in new ways to accelerate capability and deliver a decisive advantage in maritime defense.” 

“This integration further expands the capability of Aegis to engage missile threats at multiple layers, enabling a more comprehensive and effective defense against evolving threats, ensuring the warfighter has the strategic advantage,” stated Chandra Marshall, vice president, Lockheed Martin Multi-Domain Combat Solutions.  

Prior to receiving government funding, Lockheed Martin delivered on Department of War priorities and made internal investments to integrate the air defense missile with Aegis and the MK41 vertical launching system. 

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Built for rapid integration on crewed and uncrewed platforms, the solution provides a mission-ready layer of protection for ships, ports, littoral infrastructure, and expeditionary forces facing an increasingly complex drone threat environment.

The system will enable a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability for the STORMRUNNER AUSV, and it is designed to detect, track, identify, and defeat aerial unmanned threats operating in the maritime domain.

“Aerial unmanned threats are evolving quickly — in range, autonomy, and numbers,” said Cari Ossenfort, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business unit.

“The M-MEP is engineered to help the U.S. Navy and allied forces stay ahead of that threat with a modular package that brings sensors, command and control, and defeat options together into one integrated capability that can be fielded fast.”

From small commercial quadcopters to more capable long-range UAS, unmanned aerial threats now represent a persistent risk to maritime operations. 

According to Leonardo, the M-MEP is designed to compress the time from requirements to operational capability by packaging detection and defeat into a single, scalable system. This system can be adapted across a range of maritime platforms, including uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

The M-MEP combines maritime radar and EO-IR sensors with integrated networking, the SAGEcore software platform for AI-enabled sensor fusion and command and control, and a platform integration kit that accelerates installation across multiple vessel types.

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Under the Navy’s initiative to expand and modernize ISR capabilities, Shield AI will compete for up to $800 million in task orders alongside other selected industry partners. The company plans to deliver persistent ISR using its V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).  

V-BAT is a Group 3 VTOL uncrewed aircraft system with a ducted-fan design, more than 12 hours of endurance, and a heavy-fuel engine. It is actively operating at sea and from land-based sites with the US Coast Guard and US Marine Corps, including deployments from navy ships.

The UAS is designed for contested electronic warfare environments. Its single-engine, enclosed-rotor configuration will enable unassisted launch and recovery from ship decks and austere locations, supporting persistent ISR with a small, highly expeditionary footprint and minimal logistics requirements, according to ShieldAI.

“V-BAT has delivered more operational outcomes than any other Group 3 VTOL UAS. We’ve interdicted over 100,000 lbs of narcotics in the Caribbean and Pacific. V-BAT has executed hundreds of targeting operations in Ukraine, where GPS and communications are jammed during every mission, and we have delivered substantial outcomes in the Middle East and with our allies and partners,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s co-founder, president and a former Navy Surface Warfare Officer and SEAL.

“We aren’t just bringing the V-BAT product and service to the Navy; we’re bringing a world-class team with a wealth of operational experience and the ability to produce undeniable outcomes for our warfighters.”  

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In the brief statement, Parnell said the Department expressed gratitude for Phelan’s service to both the Navy and the United States, wishing him well in his future endeavors. No reason for the abrupt departure was provided.

Following Phelan’s exit, Undersecretary Hung Cao will assume the role of Acting Secretary of the Navy, ensuring continuity in leadership at a time when the service is focused on modernization efforts and global maritime operations.

Further details regarding Phelan’s departure or a permanent replacement have not yet been announced.

John Phelan was sworn in as the 79th Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) at the National Archives in March 2025.

Prior to his appointment, Secretary Phelan was the Founder and Chairman of Rugger Management, a private investment firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. Before launching Rugger, he was a co-Founder and co-Managing Partner of MSD Capital, a private investment firm for Michael Dell, and MSD Partners, a SEC-registered investment advisor that managed investments for a select group of third-party investors.

The SECNAV serves the Department of Defense as the senior Navy leader. SECNAV has the authority under Title 10 of United States Code to conduct all DON affairs, including recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, mobilizing, and demobilizing.

The DON consists of two uniformed Services: the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.

 The Secretary also oversees construction, outfitting and repair of naval ships, equipment and facilities.

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