MQ-8C Fire Scout, the US Navy’s new unmanned helicopter, has reached initial operational capability (IOC) after some six years of flight trials. The navy declared IOC on June 28, after the MQ-8C clocked in over 1,500 flight hours with more than 700 sorties. The sea-based, vertical lift unmanned syst
Ships and submarines from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) are taking part in the anti-submarine warfare exercise Dynamic Mongoose in the Norwegian Sea and across the Article Circle. The group shifted into the new area of operations from the Baltic Sea where it completed its participation in
The French Navy celebrated the completion of the construction of its sixth multi-mission frigate, FREMM Normandie, in Lorient on June 25. As explained, the celebration marked not only the end of work on the six FREMM frigates but also the beginning of the manufacturing of the FREMM frigates with rei
The US Navy released a request for proposals (RFP) for the guided missile frigate FFG(X) detail design and construction contract on June 20. Now Austal, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Fincantieri Marinette Marine and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works will compete for the contract to build the first 1
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that a US Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (or BAMS-D) ISR unmanned aircraft was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile system. It has released a video of the shoot down. The command said the aircraft was operating in international airspace
The second of the Royal Navy’s new River-class offshore patrol vessels has arrived at its Portsmouth for the first time, ahead of a formal commissioning ceremony later this year. “Today is a significant step in HMS Medway’s journey and a great achievement for both the Ship’s Company and our industri
The US Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Eight (HSC 28) used the Baltic Sea exercise BALTOPS to test the service’s new Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) and Airborne Mine Neutralization System – Archerfish (AMNS-AF) in the region. “You should not underestimate the significance of
Sikorsky has received a a $542 million contract to build six VH-92A helicopter for the presidential lift mission. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, was awarded the $542 million contract by the navy’s presidential helicopter program. “The team has efficiently leveraged a proven platform with cutti
Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Vinogradov came within 15 meters (50 feet) of US Navy cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) in a close encounter in the Philippine Sea on June 7. The US Navy has released video footage of the incident, which it labeled as an unsafe action that put the safety of
A Russian SU-35 fighter jet intercepted a US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea on June 4. While the first and third interaction were deemed safe, the US Navy said the second interaction was determined to be unsafe due to the SU-35 conducting a high spee
The US Navy intends to start replacing its four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, with newer platforms in 2020, the US 6th Fleet has announced. The navy did not disclose which ships would be stationed in Spain to replace USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Ross (DDG
Marines from a number of European countries raided the coast of Denmark for the conclusion of first stage of the two-month Baltic Sea maneuver Baltic Protector. British Royal Marines and their Dutch counterparts waged a battle around the towns of Esbjerg and Varde in western Denmark, taking on Danis
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is deploying to the US east coast this summer where it will carry out the final round of flight trials with F-35 fighter jets. The carrier’s final spell of preparations ahead of the declaration of initial operational capability in 2020 will include a p
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the US Air Force’s B-52H Stratofortress met up in the Arabian Sea for joint operations on June 1. During the exercises, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, attached to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG), and the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron,
