Stealthy Zumwalt embarking for builder trials
The largest destroyer ever built for the U.S. Navy is heading out to sea again.
The Zumwalt is due to depart Bath Iron Works March 21 for the final builder trials before the ship is presented for inspection and delivery to the Navy.
The Zumwalt is the first in a new class of three destroyers that are unlike anything previously built for the Navy. They feature a stealthy design, a new hull shape and electric drive.
The 600-foot ship went to sea for the first time in December to provide engineers an opportunity to operate systems at sea. Those trials were deemed a success, even though repairs were necessary to one of the ship’s 12 propulsion motor drives. AP
Malaysian former exec sentenced to 5 years for Navy scheme
A former manager of a Singapore-based company servicing U.S. Navy ships has been sentenced to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to a fraud scheme that overbilled the maritime branch by more than $34 million.
U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino in San Diego also ordered Alex Wisidagama to pay $34.8 million in restitution to the Navy.
Wisidagama was the global manager of Glenn Defense Marine Asia, or GDMA, and the cousin of its top executive, Leonard Glenn Francis. Francis is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in one of the military’s biggest bribery cases.
Wisidagama acknowledged creating false price quotations, invoices and other documents to carry out the scheme involving the sale of goods and fuel. He also inflated port tariff expenses. AP
Obama to nominate 1st women to head U.S. combatant command
Defense Secretary Ash Carter says President Barack Obama will nominate the first woman to head a major U.S. military combatant command.
If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson would be the seventh commander to head the Colorado-based U.S. Northern Command. The command was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to coordinate and improve homeland defense and to provide support for other national disasters.
Robinson is currently the head of the Pacific Air Force.
Carter also says Obama will nominate Gen. Vincent Brooks to head U.S. Forces Korea. Brooks currently is in charge of U.S. Army Pacific Command.
Brooks’ nomination also is subject to Senate confirmation. AP
Obama to nominate 1st women to head U.S. combatant command
Defense Secretary Ash Carter says President Barack Obama will nominate the first woman to head a major U.S. military combatant command.
If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson would be the seventh commander to head the Colorado-based U.S. Northern Command. The command was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to coordinate and improve homeland defense and to provide support for other national disasters.
Robinson is currently the head of the Pacific Air Force.
Carter also says Obama will nominate Gen. Vincent Brooks to head U.S. Forces Korea. Brooks currently is in charge of U.S. Army Pacific Command.
Brooks’ nomination also is subject to Senate confirmation. AP