Newsletter navale

Le groupe DCNS vient de nommer un nouveau directeur à la tête du programme de sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque Barracuda. Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, jusqu'à présent directeur du centre DCNS de Lorient, succède à Christophe Dufour, dont la nouvelle affectation n'est pas précisée. Il devrait rejoindre l'une des directions du groupe.
DCNS n'a pas communiqué sur cette nomination. Selon nos informations, il ne s'agit pas d'une sanction pour Christophe Dufour, crédité d'avoir réussi la mise en route du programme Barracuda. Mais celui-ci rencontre visiblement des difficultés qui nécessitent un resserrage de boulons. Déjà en juin, le directeur de la division sous-marins de DCNS, Olivier Dambricourt, avait été "débarqué" brusquement moins d'un an après avoir pris ses fonctions.
À DCNS, on assure que le programme Barracuda est sur les rails sur le plan technique. Les délais sont tenus et il n'y a pas de problème de qualité. En revanche, on ne nie pas que le programme se déroule moins bien sur le plan économique. Pour DCNS, la priorité est donc de restaurer ses marges pour gagner de l'argent avec ce programme exceptionnel par sa durée : 23 ans.
Vincent Martinot-Lagarde est chargé de redresser la barre alors que le programme a atteint le stade de la fabrication en série. Trois sous-marins sont aujourd'hui en chantier à Cherbourg et la commande de la quatrième unité a été notifiée au mois de juillet. Vincent Martinot-Lagarde appliquera sans doute des méthodes expérimentées lorsqu'il était directeur du programme des frégates Fremm, entre 2010 et 2013.
Six sous-marins Barracuda, au total, doivent être construits à Cherbourg pour un montant total de 10 milliards d'euros (chiffre DGA). Le premier de ces SNA, le Suffren, doit être mis à l'eau en 2016 pour une livraison à la Marine prévue en 2017.

The Defense Department announced today that President Obama has nominated a new leader of 6th Fleet.

Rear Adm. Philip Davidson has been selected for his third star and for the top 6th Fleet job, as well as commander, Task Force 6; commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and joint force maritime component commander, Europe, Naples, Italy.

Davidson, a surface warfare officer, is serving as director, maritime operations, N3/N5/N2/N7, Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va

The Royal Navy has welcomed its newly appointed Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at a handover ceremony in Portsmouth.

The Navy’s current assistant deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy (N3/N5) has been nominated to take command of U.S. naval forces operating in Europe and Africa, according to a Wednesday release from the Pentagon.

Rear Adm. James G. Foggo III, if approved by the Senate, will take command of U.S. 6th Fleet and promoted to vice admiral.

A career submariner, Foggo served on USS Sea Devil (SSN-664), USS Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-658) and USS Narwhal (SSN-671).

He commanded Los Angeles-class attack boat, USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723).

Foggo’s other assignments included commander of Submarine Group Eight, commander submarines, Allied Naval Forces South and deputy commander of U.S. 6th Fleet.

He is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and an advisor to the Naval Institute Board of Directors.

Foggo was instrumental in the creation of the combined 2007 U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard document: A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower and its ongoing refresh.

If approved, Foggo will replace current 6th Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Philip Davidson.

Davidson was tapped to lead U.S. Fleet Forces Command in August.

The following is the original Wednesday release from the Department of Defense.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced today that the president has made the following nomination:

Navy Rear Adm. James G. Foggo III for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and for assignment as commander, Sixth Fleet; commander, Task Force Six; commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe, Naples, Italy. Foggo is currently serving as assistant deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, District of Columbia.

A new First Sea Lord and Chief of the Air Staff have been confirmed in senior appointments announced by the Ministry of Defence.
Admiral Sir George Zambellas will take charge of the Royal Navy in April 2013, taking over as First Sea Lord from Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.
Zambellas, who was educated in Zimbabwe and at Stowe and Southampton University, joined the Royal Navy in 1980 from the aerospace industry and qualified as a pilot in 1982.
He flew three tours in different helicopter types, serving in carriers and frigates. He commanded the mine hunter HMS Cattistock, the frigate HMS Argyll and HMS Chatham during Operation Palliser in Sierra Leone.
More recently he commanded the navy's amphibious task group, has led Royal Navy transformation initiates and was until late 2012 Commander-in-Chief Fleet.

Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) held a change of command ceremony in Suitland, Md., Nov. 30.
Rear Adm. Samuel J. Cox, who has served as director of Intelligence of U.S.