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US Navy contracts VT Halter Marine to design, build new barracks ships
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded VT Halter Marine a $77.9 million contract to design and build a new class of barracks ships – dubbed Auxiliary Personnel Lighter – Small (APL(S)). As these craft are similar to accommodation barges used in the commercial oil and gas industry, APL(S) was d
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon deploys to Persian Gulf
Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon got underway from her Portsmouth homeport on September 17 after a short, unspecified, delay. Dragon is now headed for the Persian Gulf where it is expected to spend several months an operational deployment. The destroyer is scheduled to work alongside coalition and regio
Russian IL-20 MPA shot down during Israeli attack on Syria
A Russian IL-20 maritime patrol aircraft disappeared from radar over Syria on Monday as Israeli jets carried out an attack on Syria’s Latakia province. Most recent reports say that the defense ministry acknowledged the loss of the aircraft to friendly fire. According to Interfax, the Il-20 was shot
South African Special Forces getting new workboat
Cape Town-based shipbuilder Veecraft Marine has contracted Australia’s Incat Crowther for the design of a 20-meter monohull workboat for the South African Special Forces. The vessel will be tasked with the transportation of personnel and equipment and supporting training activities in coastal areas
HMS Queen Elizabeth enters Norfolk
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, after evading Hurricane Florence which hit the East Coast of the USA. The ‘WESTLANT 18’ Task Group, which includes the carrier’s escort, HMS Monmouth, was forced to take evasive action to avoid the damaging winds which hav
US Navy contracts Sonardyne for underwater tracking system deliveries
The US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Carderock Division, has awarded Houston-based Sonardyne Inc. a contract to deliver its underwater target tracking technology for use at the South Florida Ocean Measurement Facility (SFOMF). Located in Maryland, Carderock Division is the US Navy’s research,
Terma, T&G Nordic sign C-Guard decoy cooperation MoU
Danish defense and security contractor Terma has signed a memorandum of understanding with Finland’s T&G Nordic Group for cooperation on Terma’s C-Guard decoy launching system. The MoU was signed during the Danish Royal visit to Finland, September 13-14. “With the signing of the MoU, we agree with T
Ukraine launches first Centaur-class assault boat
Ukrainian shipbuilder and arms manufacturer Kuznya na Rybalskomu has launched the country’s first Centaur-class assault boat. The ceremony took place on September 14 in Kiev and was attended by high-ranking officials, including the head of the Ukrainian Navy forces, Ihor Voronchenko. The Centaur-cla
South Korea cleared to buy six P-8A maritime patrol aircraft under $2.1b contract
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of six P-8A patrol aircraft to the Republic of Korea under an estimated $2.1 billion contract. South Korea’s decision to pick Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon as its new maritime patrol aircraft was made known in June this year. The P-8A would replace th
HII lays keel for ninth US Coast Guard NSC
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division authenticated the keel of National Security Cutter Stone (WMSL 758) in a ceremony on September 14. Stone is the ninth Legend-class cutter built at Ingalls for the US Coast Guard. Laura Cavallo, the great niece of the namesake, will serve a
Canada’s first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel enters water
Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding launched the Canadian Navy’s first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, in a ceremony on September 15. At 103 meters and 6,615 tons, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf is the largest Royal Canadian Navy ship built in Canada in 50 years, accordi
US-only drill Valiant Shield begins off Guam
A US military exercise which will be joined by 15 surface ships and more than 160 aircraft kicked off on September 16 around the Marianas Island Range Complex and on Guam. Participants will include the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and approximately 15,000 personnel from the US Navy, A
USS Wayne E. Meyer, USS O’Kane complete homeport swap
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77) completed homeport swaps as DDG 108 arrived in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and DDG 77 got underway for its new homeport in San Diego. O’Kane departed for San Diego after completing a seven
HMS Diamond wraps up two-month deployment
Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond is on her way home after spending two months on operations in the Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. The destroyer has been activated throughout the traditionally busy summer season, as she monitored Russian naval activity twice, visited four ports and helped tra