The NZ Defence Force will be participating in the world’s largest international maritime exercise, Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC 2012), conducted near Hawaii from 29 June to 3 August. HMNZS TE KAHA, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, the Operational Diving Team and the Mine Counter Measures Team, a Rifle Platoo
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that its joint venture with Rockwell Collins, Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), a leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, has received a new contract with a total value of more than $32 million for the delivery of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cuein
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) delivered USS Virginia (SSN 774) back to the fleet following the completion of the first major maintenance availability for the Virginia class, May 5. The ship arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Sept. 1, 2010, for an Extended Docking Selected Restricted Availabi
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta announced May 10 that the President has made the following nominations: Navy Capt. John D. Alexander has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Alexander is currently serving as commanding officer, the USS Abraham Lincoln, Everet
Navy training earned several awards during the 2012 annual American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) awards ceremony at the Colorado Convention Center, May 7. Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) subordinate commands were acknowledged for initiatives and programs developed in 2011
The Brazilian Navy has successfully carried out a firing trial of an Exocet MM40 missile, equipped with a motor developed, produced and certified by Avibras in partnership with MBDA. This is the first time that the Brazilian Navy has carried out such a test which represents the country’s autonomy in
Senior leaders from the Air Force and Navy affirmed on May 8 that the F-35 joint strike fighter remains the centerpiece of the tactical aircraft program and will play a large part in the services’ ongoing modernization plans. Navy Vice Adm. David J. Venlet, F-35 Lightning II program executive office
Guided missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) assisted partner nation forces with the interdiction of a vessel carrying nearly 2,200 kilograms (4,850 pounds) of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $363 million, in the eastern Pacific May 6. The interdiction was conducted as part of O
Twenty-two nations, 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a uniq
U.S. Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-1, concluded a three-week subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with Panamanian divers, May 3. The SMEE, which was part of Navy Dive-Southern Partnership Station 2012 (ND-SPS 12), focused on underwater cutting, surface s
Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12), a multi-national exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. naval forces, officially kicked off at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Training Center (NMIOTC) in Souda Bay, May 7. Phoenix Express is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve co
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer (DDG) will be named the USS Thomas Hudner. Thomas J. Hudner Jr., a naval aviator who retired as a captain, received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman for displaying uncommon valor du
The nation’s third Littoral Combat Ship, USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), successfully completed its U.S. Navy acceptance trials and will be delivered to the Navy this summer. Fort Worth is the second surface combatant designed and built by a Lockheed Martin -led industry team. The trials, conducted in Lake
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) welcomed six Royal Australian Defense Force (RADF) officers aboard, April 29 – May 2, giving them an opportunity to observe a U.S. aircraft carrier in action as the ship continues its deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) officers L
