Shipbuilder Austal has authenticated the keel for the US Navy’s eleventh Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship in a ceremony at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard. A keel laying is the formal recognition of the start of a ship’s construction, as the keel is the symbolic backbone of a ship. The
The US and Royal Malaysian navies commenced the 24th iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) on Kota Belud Marine Base in Malaysia on August 10. CARAT exercises focus on the full spectrum of naval capabilities and are designed to strengthen the close partnership between both n
Mexico is buying an 8-cell MK56 VLS launcher and Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM) for its new Sigma corvette, a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency statement has said. According to the statement, The US State Department approved a possible sale of six Evolved Seasparrow tactical missiles (ESSM)
After dropping off the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in North Carolina, nearly 1,200 sailors aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) entered their homeport of Mayport, Florida, on August 9. USS Iwo Jima returned from a six-month deployment to the US 5th and US 6t
Former Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Doyle (FFG-39) has concluded her final voyage from Philadelphia to New Orleans, where she will now be disassembled and recycled by Southern Recycling, part of EMR. The 4,050-ton frigate served in the US Navy and is the last of a six-vessel contract awarde
Australian shipbuilder Austal announced it has started sea trials for the first Guardian-class Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB-R). The announcement was made on August 8 as part of the company’s celebration of 30 years of successfully delivering shipbuilding programs. The PPB-R program will see 21 Austal de
US Navy dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) returned to her Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story homeport on August 7, wrapping up a six-month deployment to the US 5th and US 6th Fleet areas of operations. Oak Hill departed their homeport Feb. 9 as a part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious R
Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Albion has wrapped up a five-day visit to Tokio, Japan, becoming the largest RN vessel to visit the country in a quarter of a century. The 20,000-ton ship pulled alongside on August 3 and hosted over 6000 members of the public during an open weekend. During t
The New York Naval Militia welcomed a new 35-foot long, landing-craft style boat-into its fleet of patrol boats on Tuesday, August 7. The “LC-350” – LC for “landing craft” and 350 for the length of the boat – was accepted into service during a short ceremony at Albany’s Jennings Landing park on the
Royal Australian Navy’s hydrographic survey ship HMAS Leeuwin showed off its skills following a port visit to Jakarta, Indonesia. During a five-day passage from Indonesia to Port Klang, Malaysia, the crew were joined by six members of the Indonesian Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic organization
Chile’s ASMAR Talcahuano Shipyard has awarded Damen Marine Components a contract to supply steering gear, rudders and stern tube parts for the Chilean Navy’s new Antarctic research vessel. Designed in collaboration with VARD Canada, the LRS -Polar 5 Class vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2021.
The Royal Navy has announced that its seventh and final Astute-class submarine HMS Agincourt will be affiliated with the city of Torbay whose residents farewelled the namesake Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Torbay as it bowed out of service a year ago. HMS Agincourt will be affiliated with the Devon
US defense contractor Raytheon announced the opening of a new $72 million facility on its Andover, Mass.-based campus, which will support complex radar testing and integration. The radar development facility is the primary location for integration and testing of current and future radar programs for
The US Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division a $165.5 million advance procurement contract to provide long-lead-time material and advance construction activities for LPD 30. LPD 30 will be the first Flight II landing platform in the San Antonio-class. “This is
