Aviation
New Zealand seeking P-8A Poseidon base builders ahead of first aircraft arrival in 2023
The New Zealand government has opened tenders for the construction of a new home for the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. The government expects that the new facility for the P-8A fleet at RNZAF Base Ohakea would be completed in three years. “The government’s investment in
F-35B in first hot ordnance reload action in Indo-Pacific
F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp used the GAU-22 cannon against a simulated target and executed the first shipboard hot reload of ordnance in the Indo-Pacific region while underway in the Solomon Sea. The aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor S
Russian Navy nuclear test site explosion kills two, injures six
An explosion at a Russian military range in Nyonoksa in the northwestern Arkhangelsk region on August 8 killed two and injured another six servicemembers, defense officials have confirmed. The Arctic missile test site is used by the Russian Navy to test intercontinental ballistic missiles. Following
US clears sale of MH-60R helicopters to South Korea
The US state department has approved the sale of twelve MH-60R multi-mission helicopters to the Republic of Korea. The country earlier seemed poised to acquire 12 Leonardo AW159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopters but South Korea’s defense procurement agency (DAPA) announced earlier this year it woul
Mexico launches final Oaxaca-class OPV
The Mexican Navy Yard ASTIMAR 1 in Tampico has launched the final of eight Oaxaca-class patrol ships to be built for the Armada de México. Launched on July 20, the vessel was named Tabasco, with hull number P-168. The Mexican Navy noted that in comparison with its predecessors, Tabasco features impr
JMSDF, US amphibious ships team up for drill off Australia
US Navy’s Japan-based amphibious ships met up with their Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) counterparts for training off Australia. US Navy transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) trained with Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 18
Australian flagship HMAS Canberra returns from six-month Asia deployment
Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra returned home last week, completing a six-month deployment to Asia. The 230-meter LHD sailed almost 22,000 nautical miles during the deployment, visiting Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia as part of the
Australian LHD deploys M1A1 MBT for first time
Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra has completed trials to transport an M1A1 main battle tank and large vehicle loads ashore using an LHD landing craft. The tests, carried out with the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Combat Service Support Battali
Citing synergies, Germany chooses NH90 as Sea Lynx successor
After choosing the NHIndustries-developed NH90 to replace its old Sea King search and rescue helicopters, the German Navy now announced that it has picked the NH90 as replacement for the Sea Lynx Mk 88A helicopters. The navy said the decision to have a single aircraft type adjusted for performing bo
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force eyeing purchase of 20 unmanned helicopters
The Japanese government intends to acquire around 20 unmanned helicopters for its Maritime Self Defense Forces (JMSDF), local media reports have said citing unnamed officials. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the acquisition of a yet unspecified large, unmanned helicopter fleet would be in response
US Navy tests unique vertical take-off UAV
The US Military Sealift Command’s expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) headed out to sea recently to test a range unmanned systems during a two-day underway. One of the less prominent systems that was tested was the V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial v
US Navy Independence-variant LCS starting surface-to-surface missile module testing
The US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules (MM) program is cleared to begin developmental testing following a successful structural test firing of the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) on an Independence-variant LCS. Developmental testing is set to start in August after the test
Italian aircraft carrier Cavour docks for F-35B upgrades
The 2008-built carrier will be fitted with capability to operate the Joint Strike Fighter.
German NH90 wraps up mission demonstrations ahead of first deliveries
The German Navy’s new NH90 Sea Lion helicopter performed mission demonstrations for its relevant roles earlier this month, ahead of first unit deliveries later this year. The demonstrations included SAR missions, checking navy reconnaissance capabilities, and dropping off commandos and special force