Latest news with #USSCurtisWilbur
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Announces 'Game Changer' Missile Upgrade to Rival China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States is set to equip its destroyers with the anti-ship variant of the combat-proven Tomahawk long-range cruise missile by late September to counter China's naval buildup. In a statement to Newsweek, Chip Whipkey, the Tomahawk deputy program manager, said the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) would be ready for deployment on U.S. destroyers by the end of fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The Tomahawk cruise missile—capable of striking targets from up to 1,000 miles away—is deployed on U.S. Navy ships and submarines. According to its manufacturer, Raytheon, U.S. and allied militaries have used this precision weapon for combat more than 2,350 times. The Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count—enables Beijing to expand its military reach and presence. In addition to deploying the MST, the U.S. is arming its allies and partners in the western Pacific Ocean with various anti-ship missiles. A Tomahawk cruise missile being launched aboard the United States Navy destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur during a live-fire demonstration in the Philippine Sea on May 27, 2019. A Tomahawk cruise missile being launched aboard the United States Navy destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur during a live-fire demonstration in the Philippine Sea on May 27, 2019. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor DiMartino/U.S. Navy What To Know Bloomberg first reported the deployment schedule of the MST on Saturday, citing Admiral Daryl Caudle, the commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command. The U.S. Navy is planning to acquire up to 1,302 "game changer" Tomahawk anti-ship variants, the report said. "MST early operational capability is planned for the end of FY25," Whipkey confirmed to Newsweek, adding that, subject to ship testing availability, the missile would be available for deployment on nuclear-powered attack submarines in the third quarter of the next fiscal year. There are two variants of the Tomahawk in service: the Block IV and Block V. Both are designed for land-attack operations. The Block V is a recertified and modernized Block IV missile with upgraded navigation and communication systems, according to Raytheon. In a 2021 news release, the U.S. Navy announced that it had received the first Tomahawk missile configured to Block V, noting that future Block V capabilities would build upon the Block IV upgrade and include the MST variant, known as Block Va. Meanwhile, Block Vb—a sister variant of Block Va—is also expected to be introduced in the future, armed with a warhead capable of striking "more diverse land targets." In 2015, the Tomahawk showcased its capability to hit a moving target at sea during a test near San Nicolas Island in California. The missile—a Block IV variant—was launched from a destroyer and changed course in flight after receiving position updates of the target. A Tomahawk cruise missile hitting a moving maritime target after being launched from the United States Navy destroyer USS Kidd near San Nicolas Island in California on January 27, 2015. A Tomahawk cruise missile hitting a moving maritime target after being launched from the United States Navy destroyer USS Kidd near San Nicolas Island in California on January 27, 2015. U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command said on its website: "Tomahawk cruise missiles are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds, and are piloted over an evasive route by several mission tailored guidance systems." Raytheon, a U.S. defense contractor, said on its website: "The Tomahawk cruise missile is a precision weapon that launches from ships, submarines, and ground launchers and can strike targets precisely from 1,000 miles away, even in heavily defended airspace." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether U.S. warships forward-deployed in the western Pacific Ocean, including those stationed in Japan, will be the first to receive the new Tomahawk missile.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
US Aircraft Carrier Returns to South China Sea
The United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been tracked returning to the contested South China Sea, where China's sovereignty claims cover most of its waters. With regard to the Nimitz's operations in the South China Sea, the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet-which maintains America's naval presence in the Western Pacific Ocean-previously told Newsweek that the warship "provides presence and combat-ready forces to the theater." Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. The Nimitz-the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in active service-has been on deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean since departing from its home port in Washington in late March. This is likely its final overseas deployment before a scheduled retirement in May next year. The carrier arrived in the South China Sea in early May and operated there for two weeks before sailing into the Strait of Malacca-a waterway linking the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean-raising speculation about a possible deployment to the Middle East. The Nimitz's return to the South China Sea comes as China continues to assert its territorial claims in the region, often leading to confrontations and clashes with neighboring maritime forces, including the Philippines-a major U.S. ally protected by a mutual defense treaty. Following a call at Malaysia's Port Klang-near the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur-the Nimitz and its escorting destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur, departed the port on Saturday afternoon local time, heading back to the Strait of Malacca. The aircraft carrier hosted Malaysian naval officers during its stay, photos released by the U.S. Navy show. It was the second port call of the Nimitz's deployment, following a stopover in Guam-America's westernmost territory in the Pacific Ocean-in mid-April. Open-source ship-tracking data from the online service MarineTraffic shows the carrier sailed southward to Singapore after its departure. The last trackable position places the warship in the waters northeast of Singapore in the South China Sea as of Monday. While the Nimitz returned to the South China Sea for operations, its sister ship, the Japan-based USS George Washington, was also underway on Sunday in waters near the Northeast Asian country, marking a dual U.S. aircraft carrier deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean. In addition to the Nimitz and the George Washington, the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS America-another Japan-homeported U.S. warship-was dispatched to the Philippine Sea last week. It is also capable of carrying fighter jets allowing it to effectively serve as an aircraft carrier. The U.S. Seventh Fleet previously told Newsweek: "Assets assigned to U.S. [Seventh] Fleet operate alongside allies and partners every day to deter aggression and maintain security in the Indo-Pacific." A U.S. Navy photo caption regarding the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz's visit to Malaysia reads: "Nimitz is conducting a port call in the U.S. [Seventh] Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz, the George Washington, and the America will assemble somewhere in the Western Pacific Ocean for joint operations in the coming weeks. Related Articles Satellite Image Shows US Air Power Buildup at Island Base Near IranRussia Attacks Trump's Golden Dome ProjectIran Unveils Next-Level Warfare Drones Amid Tensions With Show New US Missiles Sent to China's Doorstep 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Aircraft Carrier Returns to South China Sea
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been tracked returning to the contested South China Sea, where China's sovereignty claims cover most of its waters. With regard to the Nimitz's operations in the South China Sea, the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet—which maintains America's naval presence in the Western Pacific Ocean—previously told Newsweek that the warship "provides presence and combat-ready forces to the theater." Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The Nimitz—the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in active service—has been on deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean since departing from its home port in Washington in late March. This is likely its final overseas deployment before a scheduled retirement in May next year. The carrier arrived in the South China Sea in early May and operated there for two weeks before sailing into the Strait of Malacca—a waterway linking the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean—raising speculation about a possible deployment to the Middle East. The Nimitz's return to the South China Sea comes as China continues to assert its territorial claims in the region, often leading to confrontations and clashes with neighboring maritime forces, including the Philippines—a major U.S. ally protected by a mutual defense treaty. What To Know Following a call at Malaysia's Port Klang—near the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur—the Nimitz and its escorting destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur, departed the port on Saturday afternoon local time, heading back to the Strait of Malacca. The aircraft carrier hosted Malaysian naval officers during its stay, photos released by the U.S. Navy show. It was the second port call of the Nimitz's deployment, following a stopover in Guam—America's westernmost territory in the Pacific Ocean—in mid-April. Open-source ship-tracking data from the online service MarineTraffic shows the carrier sailed southward to Singapore after its departure. The last trackable position places the warship in the waters northeast of Singapore in the South China Sea as of Monday. While the Nimitz returned to the South China Sea for operations, its sister ship, the Japan-based USS George Washington, was also underway on Sunday in waters near the Northeast Asian country, marking a dual U.S. aircraft carrier deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean. In addition to the Nimitz and the George Washington, the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS America—another Japan-homeported U.S. warship—was dispatched to the Philippine Sea last week. It is also capable of carrying fighter jets allowing it to effectively serve as an aircraft carrier. The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz pulls into Port Klang in Malaysia on May 21, 2025. The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz pulls into Port Klang in Malaysia on May 21, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Emma Burgess/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet previously told Newsweek: "Assets assigned to U.S. [Seventh] Fleet operate alongside allies and partners every day to deter aggression and maintain security in the Indo-Pacific." A U.S. Navy photo caption regarding the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz's visit to Malaysia reads: "Nimitz is conducting a port call in the U.S. [Seventh] Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz, the George Washington, and the America will assemble somewhere in the Western Pacific Ocean for joint operations in the coming weeks.
