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US Navy rolls out new IFRV coveralls
The US Navy announced February 5 that the newest version of flame-resistant coveralls was now available to commands after passing a series of afloat wear tests. Improved Flame Resistant Variant (IFRV) coveralls are being introduced as a fleet organizational clothing item to replace the legacy Flame
USS Abraham Lincoln completes carrier qualifications
Naval aviators from four squadrons completed carrier qualifications on US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on February 2. During this period, Abraham Lincoln qualified pilots from the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fi
HMS Queen Elizabeth achieves another first by embarking air squadron
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth embarked 820 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) on February 5 in what is the first time that any squadron has embarked the ship. The Merlin Mk 2 helicopters of 820 NAS have been working with the ship since she sailed for the first time from Rosyth in June last [
Norwegian Navy orders SEA’s flight deck simulator
The Royal Norwegian Navy (RNN) has ordered upgraded flight deck simulator systems from the UK-based systems engineering and software company SEA. Norway ordered the upgraded portable DECKsim virtual reality trainer after using the flight deck officer (FDO) simulator DECKsim for five years at its nav
Attack submarine USS Annapolis changes homeport from Groton to San Diego
US Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) on February 2 arrived at her new San Diego homeport at Naval Base Point Loma, completing an inner-fleet transfer from Groton, Connecticut. Annapolis is now one of five Los Angeles-class submarines assigned to Commander, Submar
Royal Netherlands Navy getting Safran navigation for Walrus submarines
Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has contracted Safran to deliver its Sigma 40 inertial navigation units and the associated computers to modernize the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Walrus-class submarines. “We chose Safran Electronics & Defense because we have great confidence in their long expe
US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class destroyer completes acceptance trials
Future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), the US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class destroyer, completed acceptance trials on February 1, the US Naval Sea Systems Command announced The US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey reviewed the ship and its crew during a series of demonstrations both pier side and
Fincantieri completes STX France deal
Italy’s Fincantieri announced it has signed a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of 50% of the share capital of STX France from the French state. The agreement provides for a purchase price of euro 59.7 million (approx. USD$74M). The signing takes place after the resolution of the share pu
Australian frigate tops AU$1B in drug interdictions
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga carried out another successful drug interdiction operation on February 1, bringing the total value of drugs seized by the crew since November 2017 to over AU$1 billion. The latest operation took place in the Western Indian Ocean and resulted in the seizu
Fincantieri launches eighth Italian FREMM frigate Antonio Marceglia
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri launched the Italian Navy’s eighth FREMM frigate ‘Antonio Marceglia’ (F-597) at its Riva Trigoso shipyard in Genoa on February 3. The eighth of a series of 10 FREMM vessels was launched during a ceremony attended by Italian defense minister Roberta Pinotti and, on beh
HMS Queen Elizabeth gets underway for rotary wing trials
Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth welcomed Chinook helicopters on board for the first time as she got underway from Portsmouth for her next round of trials. HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth on February 2 for the first time since being officially commissioned into the Royal
Harry S. Truman carrier strike group begins final pre-deployment exercise
US Navy ships centered around the Harry S. Truman carrier strike group (HST CSG) got underway on February 1 to start the composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), their final pre-deployment exercise. COMPTUEX is an intensive, month-long drilldesigned to fully integrate units of HST CSG, while tes
HMS Ocean on farewell visit to Portsmouth
The soon-to-be-decommissioned Royal Navy fleet flagship HMS Ocean arrived at Portsmouth Naval Base on February 2 on a farewell visit. The helicopter carrier and assault ship arrived just after dawn to pay a visit to the city before returning to her homeport of Devonport, Plymouth for the final time
Hawaii welcomes its second fast response cutter USCGC Joseph Gerczak
US Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) became the second fast patrol cutter to be stationed in Hawaii after arriving in Honolulu on Sunday. The 154-foot fast response cutters cutters are designed to patrol coastal regions and feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, int